Arsenal: Spend some money Mr. Wenger

Even a few weeks ago, there was nervousness around facing Fenerbahce in the play-off round of the Champions League for a place in the 32-team group stages, and that was when we were healthy, if not hale. Our feelings about this match and the rest of the season itself have taken a beating, and if Wednesday sees us lose again, I’m sorry to say it, but Wenger is simply going to have to sign players if only to restore some faith.

The outpouring of venom at the end of the Aston Villa match represents more than just our reaction to that result or even to the bumbling ineptitude we’ve witnessed in the transfer market. It’s about more than the trophy drought. There’s a deep and deepening fear that no one in charge shares or understands our feelings.

I’m sure that Wenger and Ivan Gazidis and others have invested a great deal of effort and emotion into this club, but at the risk of sounding churlish, they’re paid quite well to do so. The financial investment that we make is, after all, a rather large part of where their salaries come from. The emotional investment that we stake on this club goes deeper and lasts longer than any one man, and for as much as we might complain about ticket prices and transfer fees, it’s those emotions, that belief and that faith, that are at risk here.

It’s starting to feel like we’re in an abusive relationship, full of broken promises and passive-aggressive, manipulative head-games. We’ve been told over and over that new signings are coming and to just be patient. We’ve heard the lame excuses about whose available and only signing players who will add value, only to get sucker-punched by yet another disappointment.

Wenger might manage the club, and Gazidis might oversee it. Stan Kroenke and Alisher Usmanov, among others, might own it, but it’s our club, our Arsenal. As grateful as I’ve been to Wenger for having brought us so many wonderful memories, I don’t think it’s ungrateful to ask “what have you done for us lately?”

Little more than heartache and heartburn interrupted occasionally by moments of excitement. If they’re not going to prove to us that they’re serious about bolstering the squad, they should see themselves out. We’re lucky enough to have finished fourth last season, but we’re already at risk of squandering that good fortune. We should have gone right out and signed a number of players while the glow of victory was still fresh.

Now, however, we’re staggering along with a draw and two losses in the last two weeks and face very pressing questions about our ambitions and preparedness. If we don’t get answers and soon, it may be time to think about making changes that go beyond who plays on the pitch. It may be time to change who decides whom to put on the pitch in the first place.

Le Professeur, it’s up to you now. The money is there, spend it.