Arsene Wenger has no case for defence as Euro dream is shattered

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11 April 2012
Barcelona 4
Arsenal 1

Barcelona win 6-3 on aggregate

Arsenal's injury problems minimise the blame for their latest European failure on the remaining players and so the sense of deja vu that surrounds their exit at the hands of Barcelona last night leaves the responsibility to rest with Arsene Wenger.

The Gunners were utterly outclassed by a Barca side who look set to become the first team to retain the modern-day Champions League with the utterly devastating Lionel Messi at the helm.

There is absolutely no shame in that but the most alarming aspect is how avoidable it was that Wenger arrived in the position of having to play either a half-fit Sol Campbell or Mikael Silvestre in such a crucial game.

The mere fact that Wenger has chosen on several occasions to drop Alex Song into defence while a fully-fit Silvestre watched on was an implicit acknowledgement that he felt the Frenchman was simply not up to the required standard.

Only after Song picked up an injury and Campbell failed to overcome a tight hamstring did Wenger reluctantly play Silvestre against the most prolific attack in European football.

For all the talk of scoring goals, the defensive aspect was always going to prove decisive in this game and Denilson was overrun in midfield, as the Gunners were undone by more mesmerising movement and a four-goal display from surely the finest player on the planet. And all this after Nicklas Bendtner had put the visitors into an unlikely lead on the night and in the tie.

"Over the two games, they deserved to qualify," said Wenger. "They are a very good side but, of course, they have Lionel Messi who can make a difference at any moment in the game. He can take advantage of every mistake we make.

"The regret I have is that we made too many mistakes defensively for a game like that. They were always first on the ball and we were punished for it."

Wenger rued the concession of "cheap goals" in the first leg too but questions must be asked as to why there continues to be such a palpable weakness at the heart of defence.

Arsenal were knocked out of Europe by Manchester United last season with a patched-up defence which contained the very inexperienced duo of Kieran Gibbs and Johan Djourou.

Once again, injuries had depleted his options and Belgium international Thomas Vermaelen was brought in from Ajax to bolster the back-line but the numbers did not increase as Kolo Toure was sold to Manchester City in the same summer.

When Djourou suffered a season-long knee injury in August, Wenger had the time to bring in cover and yet he chose not to act.

It is this decision that has eventually come back to haunt him because as soon as Vermaelen or William Gallas — who have been excellent as a partnership — got injured, cover was sparse at best.

Silvestre is something of a laughing stock at a club where one of the shareholders felt sufficiently moved by his displays last season to brand him a "geriatric", yet Wenger stood by him.

Equally, Campbell's acquisition has been useful but his inability to play two games in four days is a handicap a side bereft of alternatives can ill-afford to carry. "Whether I will buy a centre-back in the summer is a question that is very difficult to answer because at the moment that is not the priority," said Wenger.

"The priority is to recover from the game. Silvestre and Campbell are two good players. That is why the choice of who to play is difficult."

With hindsight, it always seemed most likely that this tie would be decided in Barcelona, which makes the decision to risk Gallas's fitness in the first game all the more baffling.

The Frenchman is now out for the season, having aggravated a calf problem, and heaven help Arsenal if Vermaelen picks up an injury. On the only occasion Silvestre and Campbell started at the back together this season, the Gunners were beaten 3-1 at Stoke in the FA Cup fourth round.

Wenger's centre-back concerns could further deepen if Gallas decides not to renew his contract, which expires in the summer. If such a situation arises, Arsenal must be in the market for two new centre-backs, even if Djourou does make a complete recovery given Campbell is unlikely to be offered another year at the club.

Kyle Bartley is highly thought of but the 18-year-old is out on loan at Sheffield United learning his trade, while Neven Subotic, of Borussia Dortmund, and Hamburg's Jerome Boateng are possible transfer targets.

"Might I be tempted to spend this summer? We are at a stage where we develop the players," said the Arsenal manager.

"Last night in midfield we had Theo Walcott, who is 21, Bendtner up front who is 22, Samir Nasri, Abou Diaby and Denilson are 23, 22. I think they have shown some great qualities and will be stronger every year.

"We have to add something, that is for sure, but we have some time to think about that."

In September, Wenger vowed his side had come of age and to hear such rhetoric again will set alarm bells ringing in some quarters, perhaps even Cesc Fabregas as he watched on in the Camp Nou last night, knowing his presence will once again be demanded there as an employee.

Manchester United survived without a recognisable back four for several games to remain in the hunt for the Premier League title, while Barcelona were last night missing both first-choice centre-backs and lost top left-back Eric Abidal to injury.

That said, Messi was flying — his first goal was a spectacular hit after Silvestre miscontrolled the ball, the second a clever finish as the same player failed to clear Abidal's cross.

His hat-trick goal was a sublime chip over Manuel Almunia before his perseverance earned him a fourth, drilled through the keeper's legs, and as the Argentine gleefully bounced the match-ball at the final whistle, he appeared to be looking at his team-mates to see who fancied a quick kickabout.

It must not be forgotten that Arsenal still have realistic hopes of winning the League themselves but if defensive failings undermine them there as well, Wenger really only has himself to blame.

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