Wenger Refuses To Learn From Past Mistakes

When Arsenal were hammered 8-2 at Old Trafford, many fans laid the blame on both Wenger and the Arsenal Board for not strengthening the team in the wake of high profile departures. Cesc Fabregas, Samir Nasri, Gael Clichy and Emmanuel Eboue all departed for new challenges, leaving the Gunners lacking  strength in depth in their squad.

Arsene Wenger's team has been in good form

As a result, the Gunners had a terrible start to the season losing four of their first seven Premier League games. Wenger tried to rectify the situation following the humiliating result at Old Trafford by making several new signings; Mikel Arteta from Everton, Andre Santos from Fenerbahce, Park Chu Young from Monaco, Per Mertesaker from Werder Bremen, and Yossi Benayoun on loan from Chelsea.

These signings seemed to have galvanised the team as the Gunners have gone on a brilliant run, winning nine of their last eleven games. Robin Van Persie has been at the centre of the rejuvenated Arsenal. His goal against West Brom was his eigth goal in his last four Premier League games, and he has also scored 29 league goals in 2011.

Van Persie's importance cannot be overstated as it would appear the team has relied solely on him for goals. The 0-0 home draw against Marseille further illustrated the importance of this mercurial talent, as the Gunners failed to sparkle until his arrival. Nonetheless he could not change the result as Didier Deschamp's side held out for a well earned point.

Van Persie has been in outstanding form

In spite of his brilliant form this season, it is worth noting that Van Persie's time at the Emirates has often been blighted by injuries. The fact that the team now emphatically rely on his match winning exploits should not only be a cause of celebration among the Arsenal fans, but it must also be a cause for concern. One does not wish an injury on such a talented player, but judging by his injury record, it is quite astonishing that Wenger has not signed an adequate replacement should Van Persie's injury jinx strike yet again.

Chamakh has failed to replicate the form he showed at Bordeaux

Marouane Chamakh, a player devoid of form and confidence appears to be Van Persie's immediate replacement. Since joining Arsenal, he has struggled to replicate the form he showed at Bordeaux . The Gunners are expected to challenge on four fronts this season and an injury to the Dutch striker could ruin the season and compound Arsenal to yet another trophy-less campaign. However the situation can be rectified by Wenger bringing out the chequebook and signing a competent centre-forward to either play alongside Van Persie or replace him in the event of an injury.

Thomas Vermaelen has been plagued by injuries since joining Arsenal

Successive Arsenal campaigns have been ruined by injuries to key players, and these injuries have been a factor (although not the only factor) in Arsenal finishing the last six seasons without a trophy. For instance, they struggled for long periods without a competent replacement for Thomas Vermaelen.

However it must be emphasised that clubs of this magnitude are expected to cope with injuries to key players, as it is part and parcel of the game, especially when one takes into account the long and arduous English football season. The lack of a winter break means clubs are expected to assemble huge squads to cope with such eventualities. Arsenal's failure to sign competent replacements has been a crucial factor in their struggle to even challenge for the Premier League.

In a separate development, it would appear Van Persie's contract is running out, and the striker has decided to delay contracts talks until the summer. His contract expires in June 2013, meaning he will be contracted to the Gunners for just one year at the end of this season.

Samir Nasri moved from Arsenal to Manchester City

A similar situation occurred when Samir Nasri was allowed to run-down his contract to just one year, and he ended up joining Man City. Surely one would have expected Wenger to learn from past mistakes and make it a club policy that players will not be allowed to run-down their contracts to just one year, as it puts the club in an increasingly difficult position, where they will either have to sell the player, or watch him leave for free at the end of his contract.

The departure of the highly rated Flamini to AC Milan on a  free transfer further illustrates the dangers in allowing players run down their contracts. Arsenal could have made a significant sum of money, had he been sold, but the failure of club in taking control of the situation resulted in the departure of such a  competent player on a Bosman free transfer.

While the Arsenal fans continue to demonstrate their trust in Wenger, his failure to sign adequate replacements coupled with his failed transfer policy has severely hindered the chances of Arsenal ending their trophy jinx in the near future. England's third most successful club with 13 league titles (behind Manchester United, 19, &Liverpool, 18) will not be content with just finishing fourth and qualifying for the Champions League. Surely the objective must be winning trophies and unless Wenger learns from his past mistakes, the Arsenal fans might just start losing faith in his ability to turn things round. It remains to be seen whether Arsenal's season will crumble yet again because of injuries and Wenger's failure to sign adequate replacements.