Silly Arsenal Need to Learn a Lesson

Manchester United’s 3-1 second leg victory over Arsenal at the Emirates (and, on top of that, it was 4-1 on aggregate) showed the world many things about these two sides. While United deserve all of the accolades that they are getting following this match, few people are mentioning Arsenal’s absolute embarrassment at home and their inability to win anything.

It’s been five years now since Arsenal have won anything (invented preseason tournaments don’t count), yet their fans, players, and management seem to be content with the way things are. In particular, I’ve grown sick and tired of listening to Arsenal fans harp about their glorious unbeaten season of 2003/04, and have developed a standard response filled of words like “since then,” “trophyless,” and “living in the past.” For some reason, none of this strikes a chord with most Arsenal fans, and therein lies the problem.

Perhaps the biggest problem with Arsenal is that these fans and management are living delusional lives – based on their previous successes they foolishly believe that they can one day win again. For example, when Aston Villa were looking quite comfortable in fourth place in the Premiership, far too many Arsenal fans were guaranteeing success in the Champions League in order to qualify for next season’s tournament. Even up until a few weeks ago when Arsenal took control over that fourth spot again, Gunners fans were still promising – even guaranteeing in the case of Premiership Talk writer Zain Alvi – that Arsenal would win the Champions League. A 1-0 defeat at the hands of United at Old Trafford? Not a problem – Arsenal would overcome that. A 3-1 defeat at home? Not a problem – our squad is built for the future, look how far we made it.

That, right there, is the problem with the club. I don’t care what Arsenal has done in the past and I don’t care what they may or may not accomplish in the future. Arsenal fans, players, and staff need to stop relying on such watered-down excuses and false hopes. Football is being played around the world right now. The Champions League semifinal against one of Arsenal’s biggest rivals happened last night - any promises for the future can’t help them now. Arsenal will finish yet another season trophy-less, and their current attitude suggests that nothing will change next season.

You can argue with me all you want, but facts are facts. In the buildup to the matches against United I heard Arsenal fans mock the English and European champions by claiming that the Red Devils simply cannot beat Arsenal in a head to head competition. Arsenal fans claimed it’s all fun and games when you’re in a league setting that is 38 games long, but they stated that Arsenal would directly beat United over two legs. Alas, they didn’t. United outclassed them in the scoreline, outclassed them on the pitch, and – most importantly – have outclassed them in the trophy department. There is no arguing that. The table doesn’t lie.

If Arsenal want to enjoy success once again they’ll need to learn a lesson and completely change their attitude. Excuses can only go on for so long, and it’s time that the Arsenal players – and Arsene Wenger – admit that they’ve underperformed and should improve. If the squad is too young then it’s up to management to improve it – that’s no excuse.

Arsenal hasn’t won a trophy in years, football isn’t played in the future, they’ll finish trophy-less again, and one of their biggest rivals strolled into town and humiliated them on their own turf. It’s absurd that Arsenal fans put up with and defend this. If you accept mediocrity that’s exactly what you get. It’s time to be realistic.

Is Arsenal doomed or is this just a five year blip? Have your say in the comments section below!

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