The way we set up is obviously an important factor in the end result, but, for me, our failures this season, and in the last 10 seasons for that matter, are almost entirely down to just how poor our players are relative to the teams we're competing with.
A midfield three from any of Arteta, Flamini, Cazorla and Chamberlain - is bang average. No ifs, no buts, average. Nothing to scare Chelsea, Bayern Munich, Manchester City etc. Chamberlain and Cazorla are good, if not great, players but they're not centre midfielders (I don't think Cazorla's an attacker either but that's another story).
An attacking three from any of Podolski, Giroud, Rosicky and Gnabry - is worse than average, it's garbage. Again, nothing to scare the big boys.
Injuries are a big factor but it's always the same for us. We run our good players into the ground because we can never afford / now refuse to pay for a proper squad. Ramsey and Ozil are top class, Walcott and Wilshere are good players, each of them would have made a difference and the end result would have been very different. What's Wenger to do when what he has to pick from is so poor? He could have set his stall out to keep it tight, play for a draw or nick a goal, but we all know that's not his way and we're also not specialists at pulling off that approach. I have a problem with which roles he picks certain players in, but when your lacking quality and outmatched by your opponents for quality - it's like trying to plug 10 different leaks with one hand tied behind your back. No matter what you do, you'll get found out somewhere.
We simply don't have enough top players, players in their prime - no system you, me or anybody else can come up with will overcome that problem. Over the course of a long season, you'll find your place and the teams with the best players will find theirs.
Problem is I don't trust Wenger anymore when it comes to spending money and building a well balanced team and squad. He's still in the mindset of development - instead of asking, like managers at other top teams have to ask, what do I need this window to finish my team and my squad? - he relies on internal improvement and prioritises the individual improvement of players over perfecting the squad. He has to lose that mindset. We're a huge club, with huge resources. No more making do and getting by. Will the man that has recently seen fit to spend decent money on dross like Monreal and Giroud be able to actually go out and spend the big money we now have on top class players. Players good enough to bridge the gap between us and City, Chelsea and even Bayern, Real Madrid and Barcelona? Don't feel confident one bit in all honesty.
