Arsenal: Arsene Wenger comments show why title will never happen

Arsene Wenger, after Arsenal’s 3-3 draw with Liverpool, stated that credit should be given to the creative talents of both sides. His comments show why a title will never happen.

Arsenal have not won the title since 2004. It may have been an Invincible season, but it was a long time ago. And now, 13 years later, the Gunners are further away from the title than they have ever been.

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Arsene Wenger, Stan Kroenke and Ivan Gazidis have all proclaimed their desire to win the title, stating that that is the aim of the club. That is somewhat difficult to believe because of the facilities, the investment and the recruitment, and the anticipated sales of key players. It is also difficult to believe because of Wenger’s inability to prepare a team.

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Let me explain. Here is Wenger speaking after Arsenal’s entertaining, enthralling 3-3 draw with Liverpool on Friday night. Consider what his priority is of the performance of his side and of the game altogether:

"“It was a thrilling game. We played frozen with fear and not at our level in the first half. In the second half we played at our level. I am frustrated at not winning, but that is the type of game you want in the Premier League. More for people who love football, let’s give credit to the creative force. If you have no shots on goal the defences look good but that is not what people want to see.”"

Wenger is notorious for neglecting the defensive side of the game. For many years, his sides have lacked the basic structure and strategy necessary to play with a solid and stable defence. From the positional sense of the centre-halves to the reckless abandon of the full-backs, Wenger’s teams have never prioritised defensive tactics.

And this is a prime example of that. Wenger chooses to refocus his attention from the disastrous defending, on behalf of both teams, to the attacking creativity on show. Now, there was certainly some wonderful attacking play, but it was facilitated by some truly terrible defending.

Over a long and strenuous season, the ability to defend is extremely important. Good defending leads to far more consistent results. Attacking can be a little flippant and unpredictable. But keeping clean sheets guarantees results throughout a full season. And Arsenal cannot defend.

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Wenger’s focus on the attacking side of the game does produce some wonderful football. But it will never bring a title to the Emirates. The Gunners must learn to defend, and under Wenger, that learning is unlikely to happen.