The Fan's View: Maybe it is time for Arsene Wenger to offer his resignation

The view from the stands after Arsenal suffer shock defeat to Bradford in the Capital One Cup

The only possible positive from last night's defeat to Bradford is that it could provide a tipping point within the Club -  although judging by Arsene’s post match comments about it “not being an embarrassment”, I can only imagine it's ostrich head in the sand time again.

Bar a couple of chances against the woodwork, our undoubted better fitness meant we dominated the last half hour of the game and then extra-time, but we had no real penetration or directness. Ball retention is great but only if you are going forward with it.

Apart from youngsters Jack Wilshere, Francis Coquelin and the back-from-injury Tomas Rosicky when he came on, no player took responsibility. There were no leaders. The fact that it was as near as possible a full strength team, on a decent playing surface, just proves how far we have fallen.

Bradford’s front two of Wells and Hanson looked more Premiership quality than any of our strikers, with Webb in particular exposing Thomas Vermaelen. Even as captain Vermaelen has compounded Arsenal's issues with a monumental loss of form and confidence this season, highlighted by his total lack of marking for Bradford's goal and the amount of times Wells ran him down to cause problems.

I would hate to see the Club's hand forced on dismissing Wenger but maybe it is time to offer his resignation, something I think fans would have respected him for more had he one it after RVP and Alex Song were sold. No manager who claims to be building sells players of this quality, especially to rivals in RVP’s case, while retaining the services of Chamakh, Gervinho, Arshavin & the on-loan Bendtner & Denilson.

Danny Grimes is an Arsenal season ticket holder of 25 years

Independent Comment
blog comments powered by Disqus
Caption competition
Caption competition
News in pictures
World news in pictures
Sport blogs

iBet: Look each way for value in The Cote D’Azur Open

With the top nine players in the men’s world tennis rankings all missing this tournament to prepare ...

by Gareth Purnell

On The Road at the Giro d’Italia: We could have been on the tour of Siberia over past 72 hours

When cyclists look back on their careers spanning many hundreds (and in some cases possibly thousand...

by Martin Ayres

Nike kit deal puts England at No 2 in the world (but which country is top?)

As England’s new football strip – made by Nike – is revealed today, new research shows the English F...

by Alex Miller

       

Day In a Page

'There is a battle going on inside us that is never discussed'

Masculinity in crisis?

'There is a battle going on inside us that is never discussed'
Have US shock jocks gone too far?

Have US shock jocks gone too far?

An incendiary remark from Rush Limbaugh may be the beginning of the end for outspoken right-wing US broadcasters
The ‘Beverly Hills’ of Surrey pays more income tax than big cities of the North

The ‘Beverly Hills’ of Surrey

Elmbridge pays more income tax than big cities of the North
Heavenly Bodies

Heavenly Bodies

Michael Landy's artistic marriage made in heaven... and hell
'He will always be a friend': Jackie Stewart backs Polanski

'He will always be a friend'

Jackie Stewart backs Roman Polanski
The price of pacifism: Refusing to go to war is finally being recognised as a brave act

The price of pacifism

From the Second World War refusenik to the 19-year-old Israeli, Holly Williams talks to five people who risked shame and suffering to take a stand as conscientious objector.
'It was mass hysteria': Jason Isaacs on groupies, theatre bores and snogging James Bond

Jason Isaacs: Groupies, theatre bores and James Bond

To millions, Jason Isaacs is one of Harry Potter's arch enemies – but his wife prefers him as a Scottish TV detective.
Notes from a small island: Is Sealand an independent 'micronation' or an illegal fortress?

Sealand: 'Micronation' or illegal fortress?

Thomas Hodgkinson spent a week at the tiny platform off the Suffolk coast to find out.
Not a bad bone: Mark Hix cooks with cutlets and ribs

Mark Hix cooks with cutlets and ribs

If you ignore cutlets and ribs, you'll risk missing out on some delicious and easy meals, says our chef.
The experts' guide to summer: From getting fit for the beach to recreating that Olympic buzz

The experts' guide to summer

From getting fit for the beach to recreating that Olympic buzz
Sex, drugs and fast cars: The legend of James Hunt has set Hollywood hearts racing

Legend of James Hunt has set Hollywood hearts racing

Early glimpses of Ron Howard's film Rush suggest it will portray Hunt as a high-living lothario, with an insatiable appetite for partying.
Macklemore: 'I don't have moderation when using drugs and alcohol. It was hurting my life'

Macklemore: 'I don't have moderation'

The next Vanilla Ice or the next Eminem? Macklemore doesn't have a record contract – but he does have the UK's biggest-selling single of the year.
Don't be shy: Bill Granger's Sri Lankan recipes

Don't be shy: Bill Granger's Sri Lankan recipes

Sri Lankan cuisine is light, sunny, wonderfully spiced – and so easy to cook from scratch. Just as soon as you've broken into the coconut, that is.
Sir James Dyson’s latest project: Cleaning up hospitals

Sir James Dyson’s latest project: Cleaning up hospitals

Doctors are hailing the revamp of a Bath neonatal unit, where babies sleep more and feed better, as the model for patient care
One man returns to Argentina's town that drowned

One man returns to Argentina's town that drowned

Epecuen was submerged under 10 metres of water in 1985. Now the floods have gone – and 83-year-old Pablo Novak has moved back in