Following the 4-0 humiliation of the Gunners at the hands of AC Milan Arsenal Manager Arsene Wenger said nothing.
Despite the player arriving back in London early in the morning, Wenger called them all in for training, and let fly with words the players were not used to him saying.
It was obvious by his anger that the players had let both him and, the fans down with their lack lustre performance in Milan.
With the crucial FA Cup tie against Sunderland this Saturday it is a must win game for the Gunner’s.
A loss would in effect end their chances of any silverware this season, and all that would be left to play for was that crucial fourth place spot in the League.
This is what former Arsenal and French international Emanuel Petit had to say following the Gunners defeat.
“I asked myself what has become of the team that I knew. It’s worse than I thought, they haven’t recovered from the departures of (Cesc) Fabregas (to Barcelona) and (Samir) Nasri (to Manchester City),” Petit told www.sofoot.com.
“It’s a gulf which is confirmed weekend after weekend.
“And what is perhaps the most worrying thing is the club won’t do anything this summer to reverse the trend.
“They don’t want to go back to overspending in the transfer market, and I think they’re right. But for two seasons, the level of the team has only gone down.”
Arsenal lost 4-0 at Milan in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie in a match called “shocking” by their boss Arsene Wenger.
He later added: “The problem is that previously the club compensated for its lack of physical strength with Fabregas. With him, Arsenal were the most attractive team to watch in Europe behind Barcelona.
“There, in midfield, there isn’t anything now, the defence is constantly under construction. It’s fortunate that (Robin) van Persie is up front.
“Certain young players haven’t done enough to justify the confidence that Arsene has in them. Walcott – somehow he’s going to have to reach the next stage. It’s been years that he’s been at the same level.
“(Aaron) Ramsey, against Milan, I got the impression it was his (twin) brother on the pitch. In the way they behave, in their body language, we see they’re not there anymore.
“We shouldn’t hesitate to talk about the end of the cycle. Regardless of age, we have to look seriously at certain players. Right now.
“You have to send out a strong signal. You have to say to Arshavin, and to Rosicky: ‘Gentlemen, thank you, but goodbye’. And soon.”
When has was asked if a signing such as Eden Hazard would make a difference.
Petit said: “I like him a lot but what has he done at a high level?” Petit said. “Has he been good in the Champions League? We haven’t seen him. Has he been good for Belgium? He’s sometimes even a substitute.
“What’s needed is five or six players of real stature, great experience. Players who are 27 – 30 years old at most.
“Players with technical qualities, obviously, but also strong character. A group of guys who refuse to accept defeat, who inspire confidence in the rest of the team.”
