Ambling Arsenal - A Master Class in Mediocrity

Arsenal fans need to start considering what sort of football club they want to be. Wenger will forever be enshrined in their proud history, but is he the man to take them forward? His careful stewardship has seen The Gunners enjoy many incredible times. However, just one solitary FA Cup win since 2005 tells its own story.

Apathy is defined as a lack of feeling, emotion, interest or concern.

Oddly, that's the attitude of several Arsenal supporters I know. Was last season a success? Well, The Gunners won a trophy. After successive seasons with nothing to cheer about, an FA Cup win offered a welcome celebration.

However, in the long term, would they have been better off losing to Hull? You can't help but feel that May's jaunt to Wembley merely papered over the cracks at The Emirates.

Make no mistake, this will be an even tougher Premier League campaign. I'd argue that for Arsenal, and to a lesser extent Liverpool, the 2013/14 season offered both clubs their best opportunity for Premiership glory.

With the arrival of Costa and Fabregas Chelsea are in a far stronger position than 12 months ago. Similarly, City have subtly strengthened a squad that was already bursting at the seams with talent. In the North West Rodgers has spent lavishly and Manchester United will eventually start making the transition from basket case to contenders.

Realistically, where do Arsenal fans expect to finish this season? And, more to the point, is anything other than the title truly good enough? After all, the cheapest season ticket at The Emirates is now over a thousand pounds.

As Wenger claims a top four finish is fair and realistic, Arsenal fans let out a collective yawn and wince at their bank balances.

So, picture the scene, Hull have won the FA Cup and Humberside is going bonkers. Fans are cracking out the Lambrini and there's dancing in the streets. In North London, a forlorn Frenchman has packed up his desk and is sobbing into a skinny latte.

Ivan Gazidis is digging out his little black book. He wants a new manager - and preferably someone that can sign a decent striker.

For all Arsenal fans, I'd ask one simple question. Would that unlikely scenario have benefited Arsenal Football Club in the long term?

Once again Arsene has had a mixed summer in the transfer market. Sanchez is an outstanding acquisition, but they still look painfully lightweight up front.

Brendan Rodgers looks set to snap up madcap maverick Mario Balotelli who, earlier in the summer, was a supposed target for Wenger. Super Mario is a disaster waiting to happen, but at least you're guaranteed goals. Although Mario's form dipped in his final few months at City, he averaged nearly 1 in 2 for AC Milan. Given the ludicrous transfer fees bounded around this summer, Mario looks a snip at under 20 million. After all, Manchester United spent more on a teenage left back.

There is a myth that Wenger has an aversion to opening his cheque book. I don't think that's quite accurate, but his dealings in the transfer market are perplexing - especially when you consider how cash rich the club is.

Let's not forget his refusal to make a move for the prodigal son - Cesc Fabregas. Masterstroke or foolhardy calamity? I guess we'll soon find out.

Arsenal fans need to start considering what sort of football club they want to be. Wenger will forever be enshrined in their proud history, but is he the man to take them forward? His careful stewardship has seen The Gunners enjoy many incredible times. However, just one solitary FA Cup win since 2005 tells its own story.

I can't hep feel that a shock Cup Final defeat against Hull was exactly what the club needed. Finally, the clubs hierarchy might have addressed concerns that the managers prowess was on the wane.

Sadly, I think the short term elation of victory at Wembley will result in long term pain. For the sake of Arsenal fans, I hope I'm wrong. Nevertheless, with regret, I foresee another season of mediocrity beckoning.

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