‘Wenger claimed last night that he is operating on a budget half the size of that available to Sir Alex Ferguson. Neither are these relative positions likely to change in the next few years, given Arsenal's problems in raising the funds to build a stadium that would give them an income to match that of their chief rival.
But after the collapse of Arsenal's attempt to retain their title, questions might reasonably be asked of Wenger's attitude to the composition of his squad. Yesterday, for example, three men did duty as his right full-back. Kolo TourÀ started the match there, in place of the injured Lauren; Sylvain Wiltord took over once TourÀ had left the field; and Ray Parlour moved into the slot after Wiltord had been withdrawn. None of these men is a specialist in the position, and it showed. Nor, come to that, is Lauren a bona fide right back. The Arsenal No2 shirt has been vacant since the departure of Lee Dixon.
Contrast that against the efficiency with which Ferguson was able to shore up his rearguard whenever injury struck. John O'Shea and Wes Brown, products of the youth scheme, were able to step into the breach without diminishing the effectiveness of the unit.
Clubs seldom change their essential character, and for all the wondrous sights provided by Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp and Robert Pires, a great Arsenal need, first of all, a great defence, which was the last thing Wenger's team had yesterday as history slithered from their grasp.’