Arsenal: Arsene Wenger Must Channel Ruthless Massimiliano Allegri

Massimiliano Allegri is notoriously ruthless with his players. It is time for Arsene Wenger to be equally ruthless with many members of the Arsenal squad.

For many years, Arsenal were heavily criticised for their lack of depth. The old argument – justifiably, it must be said – stated that the starting XI was as strong as any in the Premier League but when the inevitable onslaught of injuries came, the replacements were not up to standard, capable of maintaining the collective success.

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Arsene Wenger was hesitant to add players with the intention of developing young players, grooming them for the responsibilities of the first team. However, as many of those players failed to develop as hoped, Wenger was forced into the transfer market to address the lack of depth that had plagued his side for many years.

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That approach, though, has now led to a squad bursting with sub-par players who are in need of selling. The likes of Nacho Monreal, as an underperforming full-back, Mohamed Elneny as a solid but never spectacular central midfielder and Gabriel Paulista as an unneeded centre-half given the impending return of Calum Chambers and development of Rob Holding since being signed last summer, are all candidates to be replaced and improved upon.

However, for that to happen Wenger must take on a characteristic that he has rarely embodied throughout his tenure in North London. Wenger is notoriously loyal to his players, patiently waiting for them to develop into the talent that he expects them to be. It is an admirable quality. But it is also a quality that is now beginning to harm the club.

On paper, at least, Arsenal have one of the largest and deepest squads in the Premier League, far more varied than league leaders Chelsea’s. However, it is the top end of the squad, the number of truly elite players that are available to Wenger that has seen Chelsea elevate themselves above Arsenal and the rest of the league.

One man who would be ruthless in culling many members of the squad and improving them with investment in the transfer window is Massimiliano Allegri. The Italian has been cut-throat at Juventus, dismissing players who do not align with his way of playing and replacing them with players who do.

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Allegri has been heavily linked with replacing Wenger at the Emirates from the end of the season. Whether Allegri comes in or Wenger does indeed stay, a ruthless nature in the summer transfer window is needed.