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The Gunners are in crisis, and for the first time in the Arsene Wenger era are at serious risk of falling out of European contention. The club has been shook in the past week by a 2-0 home defeat to Aston Villa (granted, a very good club), the loss of young lion Theo Walcott to shoulder surgery, and the public revelations today from Captain William Gallas. Gallas came out firing to the press, seeking to deflect the blame that has been placed at his feet for the club's poor performance since that horrific day at Birmingham last season (warning- graphic images). The Frenchman aired the young club's internal strife and immaturity, and signaled out one player in particular for undermining the team (referred to as "six years younger than I am"- which many are speculating refers to Robin Van Persie).

Prem followers and Gooners alike will undoubtedly find the captain's comments loathsome, considering his dreadful stewardship since receiving the arm band (breakdown at Birmingham, inconsistent play at best, and the picture last month of him leaving a night club with cigarette in tow- i know a cig seems trivial, but when you've admitted to poor form, it doesn't help your cause). Despite a number of critical goals, Gallas has proven himself entirely unworthy of following Henry. And for a club whose old motto, Victoria Concordia Crescit, means "victory through harmony", such an airing of lockeroom troubles tarnishes the club both on field and off.

But Arsenal' problems run much deeper than Gallas. Wenger's great experiment has produced arguably the most aesthetically pleasing club football since 1970's Ajax. But it has relied too much on youth, shunned the transfer market, and lacked the toughness needed to win the Prem. While criticism of Wenger is near blasphemous to Gooners, many are starting to question his stubborn vision, especially his decision not to sign a replacement for Matheiu Flamini this summer (the Flamini-Fabregas partnership last season was among the best midfield tandems in the world). While Cesc Fabregas will, in my opinion, exceed his already brilliant career to become the best footballer in the world, the 21 year old's maturity and aggressiveness are still an issue. He also seems to have lost the killer instinct he showed last season (only 1 goal through 16 total appearances v. 11 at same point last year), and despite Samir Nasri and Walcott's tremendous potential (and really solid play by Nasri this season), the midfield is still (literally) lightweight. Add to this a down right terrible defense at times, and the club has struggled to equal the brilliant form it showed last fall.

All this adds up to a continuation of the inconsistency we've seen out of Arsenal in recent years. Win the big ones, lose the gimme games. With Eduardo and Tomas Rosicky returning soon, there is hope that the Gunners can make a big push in Europe. But their Prem challenge is done, leaving Arsenal without a league title for the fifth straight season. The club needs big changes, starting with the arm band.