Former Manchester United star Paul Ince has absolutely torn into Arsenal‘s lack of mental strength this season, but thinks things can only get worse for them if Arsene Wenger leaves.
The ex-Red Devils midfielder is disappointed to see the Gunners’ talented squad of players slip up in the title race yet again this term, with Wenger’s men now twelve points off the top after losing 3-1 to leaders Chelsea on Saturday.
Still, Ince can’t see light at the end of the tunnel for Arsenal, with no ideal replacement out there for Wenger if he does step down at the end of this season.
The Frenchman is nearing the end of his contract and could be free to walk away from the Emirates Stadium in the summer, but Ince is not optimistic that that would be the solution to the club’s problems.
‘You don’t really associate Arsenal with being winners now,’ Ince wrote in his column for Paddy Power. ‘The last time they won the league was in the 2003/04 season. You don’t look at the team and say “they are winners”.
‘You can associate that title with Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United. It’s winning the league that puts you up there, and they have fallen by the wayside.
‘It’s great that they qualify for the Champions League, but nowadays the fans are calling for more. They want to win, they want to be up there and challenging consistently for the title.
‘I’m never going to come out and say Wenger has to go. He’s an incredible manager. He’s been great for the Premier League. I hope one day that Arsene can bring the title to Arsenal, but it’s going to be tough.
‘Ultimately, Arsene Wenger will decide when enough is enough. The board won’t bow down to a pressure of a portion of the fans, and that’s how it should be. Though I can appreciate the fans’ frustration.
‘Everyone goes on about Arsene Wenger, and I think he deserves a lot more respect. He’s been there 20 years now, he’s really built the club up and they get in the Champions League most seasons.
‘When they’re on their day, they’re fantastic to watch. And it’s easy to say “Wenger Out! Wenger Out!” but realistically, who is going to replace him?
‘There’s no point calling for a change when you don’t have the right person to replace him.’
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