Seen the money, Arsene?

Arsene Wenger had one of his most humiliating days as the Arsenal gaffer as Arsenal went down 3-1 to Aston Villa at the Emirates Stadium this Saturday. Despite leading through Olivier Giroud as early as the sixth minute, one-time Premier League whipping boys Villa were allowed to stage a stunning comeback as twin strikes from Christian Benteke swept the underdogs into the lead. To their credit, Arsenal rallied, as both Rosicky and Santi Cazorla had their shots parried before Luna scored on the break to put the match beyond Arsenal’s reach.

The match ended with a mass evacuation of the Emirates with die-hard Gooners booing Wenger, as huge placards were held up with the message loud and clear ‘Spend Spend Spend’. It’s almost like the summer never happened for Arsenal. With a preseason peppered with injuries and Wenger stubbornly refusing to strengthen this paper-thin squad at the upper end of the transfer market, Arsenal’s loss had the look of a logical conclusion. The contempt for Wenger is barely concealed now and perfectly understandable.

With Arsenal charging higher rates than any other of the top six clubs for season tickets to the Emirates, a summer profit of 11 million pounds, readily disposable income in the range of 70-100 million pounds, an injury ridden squad and eight years since a trophy, it’s impossible to justify why French youth striker Yaya Sanogo is the only new signing of the summer, that too being a free transfer!

Wenger has seen a high-profile pursuit of Gonzalo Higuain and the ethically questionable quest for Luis Suarez go to waste. No-one was ever fooled into believing Rooney would even consider a move to Arsenal after United mauled Wenger’s boys 8-2 last season. Even Luiz Gustavo snubbed Wenger to opt for German club VfL Wolfsburg as Arsenal’s standing amongst top-quality players looking to win trophies, seems to have hit rock bottom.

Midfield maestro Mikel Arteta is already out for six weeks with a thigh problem while injuries kept Thomas Vermaelen and Abou Diaby out against Villa. Things have now gotten worse with injuries to Kieran Gibbs, Bacary Sagna, Tomas Rosicky and Aaron Ramsey. There is a sense of inevitability as Arsenal head into their Champions League playoff against Fenerbahce at the intimidating Sukru Saracoglu stadium in Instanbul. Wenger could head for a meltdown with the already furious fans if they lose out on a Champions League spot as big name talent will then avoid Arsenal like the plague.

Wenger has promised to splash the cash before the transfer window slams firmly shut on September the 2nd, but can you really trust him, Ivan Gazidis and the Arsenal Board to address the glaring issues which have consigned the club from genuine contenders to also-ran status in the Premier League? The writing on the wall couldn’t have been clearer: as long as the bank balance remains untouched, Arsenal’s summer of discontent will stubbornly continue.