Arsene Wenger and Arsenal top management have come under fresh barracking from club fans for failing to disclose the gravity of star striker Danny Welbeck’s leg injury or buy a striker during the summer transfer.
Both the manager and club management have been accused of lying to supporters for not disclosing the extent of Welbeck’s knee surgery before the transfer deadline.
The England striker is reported to be sidelined at least until Christmas to recuperate from a knee operation he underwent last week.
Fans of the Emirates club are reportedly piqued that Wenger, who claimed earlier that he expected Welbeck to be fit after the international break, did not make public the player’s setback and suspect it was a ploy to avoid being pressurised into signing a replacement forward.
The extent of the England striker’s injury was not revealed until after the summer transfer window had closed.
And the fans could not understand the reason why the Gunners chose not to buy a replacement for the injured star. Arsenal were the only Premier League club not to sign an outfield player during the summer window, a development that prompted former Manchester United defender, Gary Neville to describe Wenger’s decision as ‘naïve or arrogant’ for believing his side was good enough to compete for the title.
Now supporters want to know why the club did not feel the need to strengthen in light of Welbeck’s expected absence. ‘It’s lying to the fans and to keep it from us leaves a sour taste. It’s embarrassing”, declares Peter Wood, author of the influential Le Grove blog.
“Wenger knows it would have put huge pressure on him to go out and sign a striker. For some reason, he seems to be going out of his way not sign the players we need – what is that reason?” He queried, stressing that the development has left Arsenal in a bad position for the season. “Another season looks certain to pass now without winning the Premier League or challenging for the Champions League,” he predicted.
With Theo Walcott struggling in the lone forward role so far and
Olivier Giroud deemed not good enough to lead the line by some sections of Arsenal’s fans, the stage is set for another stormy league season at the Emirate stadium.
By Olisemeka Obeche
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