Filed under: Arsenal, Premier League, Football
Arsene Wenger would never have been greeted with headlines like it before. The Arsenal manager has been criticised for many things before but his overall plan was rarely questioned.He may not see important referees' decision. He may be guilty of double standards when it comes to his players discipline. He may be conservative with his spending in the transfer market. But the mantra always remained "Arsene Knows".
In the aftermath of what has been seen as one of his most important press conferences, that view appears to have shifted.
In the Daily Mirror, they use the "Arsene Knows" philosophy of Arsenal fans and inserted a key word. "Arsene Doesn't Know" reads the back page.
Wenger felt a backlash at the end of last season when fans booed his team during their lap of appreciation, and this anger has carried over into the summer, with some supporters venting their frustrations on social networking sites.
It is not just six years without a trophy that has led to patience wearing thin.
Wenger's preparation for the season has seen Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri agitating for moves and their ranks have bolstered by two players who were playing in League One last season and a striker with no pedigree in the Champions League.
Supporters have already seen Manchester City overtake them last season, with Liverpool and Tottenham now in Wenger's rear-view mirror. Finishing outside the top four of the Premier League would be unthinkable.
If they are to finish in the Champions League places, it looks certain to be without Fabregas as he is set to return to Barcelona.
Wenger was made to look foolish when he told press "I expect nobody to leave the club" on the eve of Arsenal's game against Newcastle. Fabregas was preparing to leave for Spain at the time, according to reports.
Nasri is also poised to leave for Manchester City. The Sun newspaper say Wenger has asked for Carlos Tevez in return, which would placate the Frenchman's critics but would also require the Argentina international to backtrack on his stance of wanting to move closer to home.
Tevez would be the signing of the season and may go some way to put an end to Arsenal's reputation of being a feeder club for their rivals.
Going on recent history, that is where Wenger's summer signings - Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Gervinho and Carl Jenkinson - would be heading if they make an impact.
With Nasri and Fabregas wanting to leave, there will be fears of players such as Robin van Persie or Jack Wilshere following their lead if they feel they are on a sinking ship.
The target now is just to remain in the top four, and Wenger said: "Liverpool, Tottenham and all these clubs who are out of the top four would like to be in the top four.
"We have not won a trophy but have been consistently in the top four. Our target is to qualify for the Champions League then we will have been in it for 15 years on the trot.
"It is not as easy as it looks. It is true we have not won the championship but we are not the only ones."
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Source: http://www.fanhouse.co.uk/2011/08/13/arsene-wenger-accused-of-being-out-of-touch-with-reality/
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