Arsene Wenger's Poor Management Is the Catalyst in Arsenal's Trophy Failure

A recent horror couple of weeks for Arsenal resulted in the North London giants losing the Carling Cup Final coupled with eliminations from the UEFA Champions League and FA Cup.

However, the Gunners were still very much in contention to succeed in the English Premier League and their encounter with West Bromwich Albion posed as the perfect opportunity to stable their trophy desires.

But alas, it was almost deja vu for the Arsenal faithful. A goalkeeping howler and poor central defensive depth were once again the key factors in the Arsenal demise, akin to the past five seasons that have coincidentally ended without the satisfaction of silverware for a Arsenal.

Succumbing to a 2-0 deficit with just over 20 minutes to go summed up the psychological and battered stature of the Gunners.

Although, Arsene Wenger's men showed impressive determination to claw back into the match and earn a 2-2 draw thanks to goals from Andrei Arshavin and Robin van Persie. Unfortunately the damage was done as Arsenal slowly but surely lose their strangle hold at the top of the EPL table as Manchester United boast a five-point lead.

Sir Alex Ferguson's men, like Arsenal, continued a meager run of unimpressive performances but the difference was that United were able to secure victory, with 10 men. A final minute goal from Dimitar Berbatov was enough to give a poor Manchester United victory over Bolton.

That appears to be the main difference in the two sides as they battle for EPL glory. Character.

United have been lucky to say the least. In numerous outings this season Manchester have played below par but yet continually strive through and achieve a desired result.

Unlike Arsenal who continue to dominate games, boss possession and create endless chances yet to often fail to find the winning edge. The Carling Cup final against Birmingham City is a deafening example, and encounters with Sunderland, Wigan, Newcastle are only a few other matches this season that had Wenger's men shown courage like United, they would be well atop the Premier League table.

However Arsenal's seasonal efforts so far have been admirable and gallant. Through and through the North London giants have battled injuries to key players.

Having finally relinquished their goalkeeping conundrum with Polish shotstopper Lukasz Fabianski finally maturing, the Gunners looked to finally be on course. However an shoulder injury in January ended his season.

His replacement, 20-year-old Wojciech Szczesny, who had been highly touted by Wenger, was superb until a recent finger injury. Furthemore, reoccurring injuries to another young keeper Vito Mannone whilst on loan with Championship side Hull City has also been a problem.

To lose three keepers throughout the season is a difficult prospect which the Gunners have handled well. However Fabianski's early season heroics would not have materialized had experienced keeper Manuel Almunia not sustained an elbow injury in the opening stages of the campaign.

After three seasons of inconsistent, error fuelled performances as the Arsenal No. 1, world football expected to see the departure of Almunia in the recent summer and the acquisation of a quality keeper.

Yet Wenger's transfer neglect and inability to secure services of big name players ensured Almunia stayed at the Emirates. Now the Spaniard's error against West Bromwich Albion could ultimately define the Premier League title race.

The Arsenal defensive line has also been subject to injury woes and poor management. Prior to 2010/2011, Wenger offloaded four experienced centre halves in William Gallas, Mikael Silvestre, Sol Campbell and Philippe Senderos, who between them boasted over 500 EPL appearances.

The likes of Silvestre and Senderos were past their prime in an Arsenal shirt, but fans were sceptical at Wenger offloading both Gallas and Campbell. This left the Gunners with just two first team central defenders, Thomas Vermaelen and Johan Djourou.

Vermaelen had excelled during 2009/2010, his debut season with the Gunners after arriving from Ajax for  €10 million, whilst Johan Djourou had only played the final EPL match of 2009/2010 due to sustaining a serious knee injury that curtailed his season.

Wenger did manage to add to the defensive ranks, signing unknown Frenchman Laurent Koscielny from Lorient FC for £8.45 million and former Lyon defender Sebastien Squillaci for £3.2 million from Seville. The season speaks for itself.

Vermaelen's severe Achilles injury in August has ensured the Belgium has not featured since and will play no further part in the season. Once again this highlights a terrific effort from Arsenal as they have managed to advance to the Carling Cup Final, UEFA Champions League round of 16, FA Cup quarterfinals and upholding second place in the EPL table with only three first team defenders.

What's even more impressive is that the performances of Sebastien Squillaci have been lacklustre throughout the season. To be direct, the Frenchman is simply not good enough to be a defender at Arsenal, same with Almunia.

With Johan Djorou, who has been Arsenal best defender this season, now also absent for the season after a recent dislocated shoulder. Squillaci will be forced to take on a more consistent role in the Arsenal defence.

How can one expect to win a trophy by beginning the season with two defenders who have never played in world football's toughest league?

It is simply poor management by Wenger, and his tentative approach to actually spend some money has been the catalyst in Arsenal's inability to secure silverware.

In the last three seasons, Wenger has spent just under £55 million. Although it is admirable that whilst upholding a certain quality of football the Frenchman is saving the Gunners millions, as the need for success becomes more and more desperate, Wenger is refusing to embark on securing the quality of standard needed to succeed.

It does not take a tactical genius to see the Sebastien Squillaci is not what a side who have not won a competition since 2005 need in their defensive line or that Denilson is a suitable deputy to Alexandre Song.

Or that four defenders, two of which have never played in the EPL and one who has recently returned from over a year injury lay off, can win the English Premier League.