Life’s A Pitch: Crisis? What crisis?

Last week has to go down as one of the worst in Arsène Wenger’s Arsenal career.

Humiliated in Milan by a fairly mediocre AC Milan team, and then punted out of the FA Cup by a more determined Sunderland side.

Assuming the Gunners fail to overcome the mountainous four-goal deficit against the Italians, which, let’s face it, looks very likely, the only target that remains this season is a top-four finish in the Premier League. And even that’s far from assured, given they’re in a four-way fight with Chelsea, Newcastle and Liverpool. So, Arsenal are looking at a seventh straight trophyless season under Wenger.

You’d call this a crisis, right? Well, Mr Wenger doesn’t think it’s that bad. But Iain Macintosh does, and the blog he wrote for us this week explains exactly why.

Resident writer Mike Calvin, meanwhile, thinks Arsenal’s demise has got so bad that Wenger should finally step aside and let someone more capable take over.

A revealing look at Arsenal’s finances in reports last weekend suggested that despite the team’s toils on the pitch, Wenger has stockpiled a transfer budget of around £55million. Something that has got our video pundits concluding the Frenchman has become a ditherer in the transfer market.

Wenger is, of course, not the only manager in London feeling the heat. Chelsea’s André Villas-Boas’ decision to bench some of his senior players for the Champions League match in Napoli saw his stuttering side go down 3-1, with an exit from Europe looking on the cards. He’s fighting to save his job, and in conflict with his players. Mike Calvin and the video pundits give their view on his situation.

Elsewhere, we’ve got all the latest transfer news, and take a closer look at Tottenham’s continued success this season.

Expert pundit videos

“The Chelsea fans loathe Benitez with a passion”

The Life’s A Pitch team looks at the latest problems for Villas-Boas at Chelsea as talk of player conflict and replacement managers intensifies.
An unwanted man >

Hazard to Spurs, Liverpool want Garcia, Khedira to Man Utd?

Get the lowdown on the latest transfer rumours involving Tottenham, Liverpool and Manchester United.
Transfer talk >

“Saddest indictment on Wenger is he dithers on transfers”

With the prospect of a seventh straight trophyless season looming at Arsenal, the Life’s A Pitch panel looks at where Arsène Wenger is going wrong.
Maybe, maybe not >

“The deal of last summer was keeping hold of Luka Modric”

Harry Redknapp might soon be leaving Spurs, but the Life’s A Pitch team still expects a happy end to the season for them.
The dream team >

Lively opinion blogs

Time even Wenger acknowledged that this is a crisis

Despite Arsène Wenger’s claims it isn’t crisis time at Arsenal, the Frenchman has earned the right to make amends, writes Iain Macintosh.
Crisis talks >

Why the time has finally come for Wenger to leave Arsenal

Mike Calvin explains why he believes Arsène Wenger has come to the end of the road at Arsenal after 16 years.
Closing time >

Difficult not to get overexcited about Cleverley’s potential

Mike Calvin explains why everyone already has unrealistic expectations of Manchester United midfielder Tom Cleverley.
The next big thing? >

Abramovich is Chelsea’s biggest obstacle, not Villas-Boas

Roman Abramovich may have invested huge sums of money into Chelsea, but he’s still the club’s biggest barrier to success, writes Mike Calvin.
Money problems >

Fanzone post of the week

Are Mourinho and Man Utd really such a good fit?

Mourinho may be many people’s favourite to replace Sir Alex Ferguson, but would he be a success at Man Utd?
Man Utd 4 Mourinho >

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