Arsenal legend slams Wenger's flops

In a blast from the past, Arsenal legend George Graham has delivered a stinging verdict on the Gunners though stopping short of calling for Arsene Wenger to go.

Graham piled into the Frenchman, nevertheless, in a blistering critique of the crisis at Emirates as they seem destined to go seven years without a trophy.
 
Without pulling punches, Graham, 67, who won the Double with Arsenal as a player in 1971 and bossed them to two league titles in 1989 and 1991, told The Sun: "Yes, Arsenal are in crisis. It has been slipping away for the last couple of years.
 
"They've not been replacing those players who left four or five years ago.

"They're lacking leaders and the quality of the players they're bringing in is just not up to the standard if you want to win the Premier League."
 
He blasted Wenger for buying flops, insisted the board have doubts about the French boss after what will be their seventh season without winning a trophy and predicted that star striker Robin van Persie will leave and Gunners should get rid of Theo Walcott as the England winger has not fulfilled his potential.
 
Arsenal crashed out of the FA Cup 2-0 at Sunderland on Saturday — three days after they were humiliated 4-0 at Milan in the Champions League.
 
They are currently fourth in the Premier League but a massive 17 points behind leaders Manchester City and 10 adrift of bitter rivals Tottenham, who are third.
 
Graham admits Arsenal's board must have doubts about the Frenchman turning things around.
 
He added: "Arsene's not won anything now for the last six years so there would be doubt in there. They've got money and I can't understand why Arsene has not gone out and bought some real quality players.
 
"But he has a fantastic reputation and I don't think the board will forget what he has done.
 
"I think he will still be there next season but he badly needs to refresh the playing side of the club. He needs to keep bringing youngsters through but he must buy quality, experienced players to win trophies."
 
Van Persie is out of contract in June 2013 and has delayed talks over a new deal until the end of this season. But Graham believes the Dutch striker will go — and says Walcott should be shipped out too.
 
He added: "Some players at Chelsea and Manchester City are earning £175,000 a week or more.
 
"For Van Persie, this will be his last big contract. He'll be 29 when his contract finishes and he's going to be looking for a four-year contract, maybe even five. You can't expect Arsenal to pay that knowing that in his last two years he probably won't be a regular in the team.
 
"I would let Walcott go. He was a promising boy but his potential has never really been fulfilled. He has still got fabulous pace but he's been there five years and I can't see a great improvement."
 
Arsenal face another daunting match in Sunday's North London derby at the Emirates. And Graham warned: "They're playing Tottenham next week. Believe me if they lose that one, the fans will be upset."
 
 

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