Wenger’s magic ran out on Arsenal disastrous cup Final

Arsene Wenger created his own shortcoming on a day that can define his season.

Nobody has been under more pressure in the recent years than Wenger, but somehow he managed to escape the axe.

His seat has been under the scrutiny for several years but in the end, he managed to achieve just enough. Had it not for the FA Cup title after he failed to extend his Champions League run the past season, Wenger might not be able to overcome Sir Alex Ferguson’s managerial record in October.

Sunday was another opportunity for him to pull another rabbit out of the hat. The top-4 race is already out of reach. Europa League has suddenly become the Champions League. A league cup title can be at least a thing to cheer on at the end of the season.

Wenger has been here before. He managed to pull off the upsets in Wembley, scoring two 2-1 victories over Manchester City and Chelsea to salvage the last season.  For more than one occasion, Wenger created optimism, though it would turn out to be a false hope, for Gunners fans with some incredible performances. At the end of the day, against all odds, he is still taking charge of Arsenal.

However, Wenger looked like a guy whose magic has run out on Sunday.

Manchester City is no doubt the best team in England, but it was a game between men and kids on Wembley.

Wenger decided to play a deep defensive line, with four midfielders venturing not too far away from the five midfielders. On paper, it is a safe choice, because Arsenal is always exposed whenever it tries to employ a high pressing game.

It was his decision to omit all wingers from the lineup that caused an unbalanced midfield. Aaron Ramsey was deployed on the right side, while Jack Wilshere took the opposing flank. Wenger played four center midfielders hoping to control the midfield, but in truth, they led the team to self-destruction.

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While both of them offered passing outlets, none of them offered pace. Having pacey wingers to take advantage of City high defensive line is a no-brainer, but Wenger only introduced Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to lead Arsenal’s front line. The Gabonese was held a mere spectator throughout the final, having made only 18 touches, per whoscored, as most of the Hollywood long ball aiming for him went inaccurate.

Both Wilshere and Ozil couldn’t find the way to lead Arsenal on the break, while Aaron Ramsey and Granit Xhaka’s ineffectiveness in playing out from the back was again exposed. Arsenal’s defensive shape was able to close down space as City only had three shots on target, but it was pushed back too deep to not commit mistakes.

All of City goals came from the Gunners’ errors. Sergio Aguero somehow easily overpowered Shkodran Mustafi. The German failed to beat Vincent Kompany while competing for the loose ball, which the latter punished him on the ensuing corner. Seven minutes later, Wilshere was disposed moment before David Silva completed the rout.

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It isn’t the first time Wenger’s team selection backfired. The manager has made some masterclass adjustments to pull off miraculous victories when everyone is skeptical of him, but his magic ran out at Wembley on Sunday.