Stylish Arsenal in season of no substance

LONDON - ARSENAL have only themselves to blame for a season in tatters.

In the space of 11 days, they have lost the League Cup final, were knocked out of the FA Cup and fell out of the Champions League.

A 1-1 draw at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday meant PSV Eindhoven, who won 1-0 at home two weeks ago, take a place in the quarter-finals.

Captain Thierry Henry is also out for a month, after he ripped stomach muscles shortly after coming on as a substitute.

'The last two weeks have been horrendous for us,' manager Arsene Wenger said.

'I feel as though the games have caught up with us and we lacked the sharpness and quality needed in the final third of the field. It's cruel.'

Things appeared to be going Arsenal's way when PSV defender Alex scored an own goal after 57 minutes, poking in Denilson's corner.

But, seven minutes from time, he lost marker Emmanuel Adebayor to head in Edison Mendez's free kick.

That effectively ended Arsenal's season and sparked a mass exodus of home fans.

It was a reminder that every great move requires a goal at the end if it is to mean something.

Arsenal picked away at PSV, passing back and forth but constantly deferring the chance to shoot. They did everything but score that decisive second goal.

'Arsenal can have their champagne football if they want but they are not winning the trophies,' slammed former Gunner David Platt.

'Have they got that player who puts the ball in the back of the net, that player who says 'it doesn't matter how well we play today we have to grind out a 1-0 victory'?

'First and foremost you go out and make sure the game is won, and then you play your good football.'

Injury to key players and fixture congestion have played a part.

Robin van Persie and Tomas Rosicky were out through injury. The gamble on an unfit Henry, who has missed 21 games this season, in the 66th minute only highlighted Arsenal's desperation.

'It's been a very difficult season for him, very sad,' said Wenger.

'You could see he wasn't ready physically to start the game, but I hoped he might offer something different if he was needed from the bench. But now he's out for a few more weeks.'

The Arsenal defence was reshuffled in the absence of Emmanuel Eboue - with midfielder Gilberto Silva moved into the back four.

That left two 19-year-olds, Denilson and Francesc Fabregas in the middle, instead of the towering figure of authority - as once provided by former captain Patrick Vieira - that was needed.

At the back, Arsenal are vulnerable to high balls, such as the decisive goals conceded to Chelsea's Didier Drogba in the League Cup final and to Alex on Wednesday.

'It isn't the first time we've been undone by set-plays,' said midfielder Freddie Ljungberg, blaming the youngsters for their lack of concentration.

Up front, they lack a player to back up Henry. Loan striker Julio Baptista has shone only in the League Cup and Adebayor has not realised his potential.

Wenger tried to look to the 11 remaining Premiership games, saying: 'We can overtake Liverpool and we have a good future.'

This is another 'transition' year for Arsenal.

But left-back Gael Clichy said: 'We can't look too far ahead, year after year.

'When you want to be a top club you have to win trophies.

'The reality is last night we didn't qualify.

'That is the more important thing.'

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE