Arsenal crisis: Will Jack follow Robin?

Having already lost their main front man in Robin Van Persie, are the Gunners about to lose yet another top player to opposition? Last night’s defeat to Bradford City on penalties in the Capital One Cup has got to leave fans wondering for how much longer they will be watching Jack Wilshere dominate midfield single handedly.

The struggle for merely positive results at Arsenal has now become their main incentive. Gone are the days whereby they could launch a realistic attempt to clinch silverware, especially the Premier League. Expectation amongst fans seems to be sliding at the Emirates, which is not just a shame for everyone involved with the club but rivals too.

Arsenal have been run more like a financial business than a football club and have made an unfortunate habit of selling their top players in their prime. They are in a good position financially and manager Arsene Wenger will have to walk before they see another face in the dug out due to his satisfying of the board with pure economics. Many of the top clubs are in debt but are reaping rewards in silverware, have a happier fan base and a wealthy owner to keep heads above water.

After last night’s rather embarrassing defeat to lower league opposition, Wilshere received a tweet from QPR midfielder Hogan Ephraim saying that the Theatre of Dreams awaits him. Sir Alex Ferguson has reportedly expressed some interest in Jack previously and with the January transfer window just around the corner, it’s worrying times for Arsenal fans.

Theo Walcott is another who is yet to renew his contract and talks of him moving on may just cement Wilshere’s decision come next month. It’s hard to see how Arsenal can go yet another season empty handed, despite qualifying for the Champions League knockout stages for the 13^th  year running. Wenger’s philosophy and style of play has been credited throughout the years but the players he has brought in over the last two seasons haven’t been up to scratch. Last night’s worst performers are hard to pin point, as there were so many, however Gervinho was a stand out, missing from three yards. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain hasn’t had very many run outs but judging on last night’s showing it may reveal why as half decent crosses were nowhere to be seen.

The defeat was made worse after Wenger’s complaints of a tired squad and an overloaded fixture list. The cup defeat came after three days’ rest in which he saw fit to put out what looked like his strongest squad. Holding onto Wilshere is pivotal if Arsenal are to start building a new squad around him, although it doesn’t look good right now and will come down to how much desire Jack has to win trophies.

Kris Cannon