Claudius wrote:
Bad man management, poor squad rotation, silly tactics, etc. cost us a sure-fire title that year.
A lack of depth cost us the title that year and nothing else - again, down to Wenger but it's convenient to throw around every possible cliched criticism of him.
We were a goal up at the Bridge and Old Trafford. We draw those two or simply win at Old Trafford and we win the title. We lost Sagna before conceding at the Bridge, we had already lost Eduardo and Rosicky. Van Persie was barely ever available that season.
Flamini lost steam, Hleb was eating ice-cream and Adebayor had started dreaming of Beyonce.
As for that squad itself, think of the players that you think should have won us a 'sure-fire' title that year against two very good United and Chelsea squads.
Hleb wasn't liked by many fans and what has happened of his career since then? Same with Adebayor who was just 23 years old anyways. Eduardo was in his first season in England, as was Sagna and Clichy was just playing his second full season. Diaby and Denilson were our back-ups, Eboue was our first choice right winger.
If anything, getting that squad of good players playing around one world class central midfield talent that close to a title, playing the way it did was one of Wenger's greatest efforts. He got a lot out of that squad. More squad options, a bit of luck and we would have won.
Blaming his tactics and man management 6 years later is just unfair.
Anyways, as for the squads, this one is certainly more talented, full and rounded.
