Do Arsenal lack ambition?

Today when Alisher Usmanov publicly criticised the Arsenal board for ‘lack of investment’, he made an interesting point.

In modern day football it is widely assumed that you need to spend money in order to be successful. The Gunners second highest share holder clearly subscribes to this point of view, and having made his feelings known the day after the talismanic Robin Van Persie announced that he wouldn’t renew his contract with club, there could be a great many Arsenal supporters who empathise with him.

Arsenal last won a trophy in 2005 and since then have seen star players, Patrick Viera, Thierry Henry, Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri, leave the club.

The likelihood of Robin Van Persie doing the same clearly rankles with Usmanov, whose company holds a 29% stake in the North London club. In his letter he stated that the club ‘cannot give confidence’ that it can win trophies.

Losing their Dutch striker, who scored 41 goals in 53 games last year, would obviously be a blow; but does it mean that the club lack ambition?

Arsenal are renowned for producing talented youngsters, playing good football and consistently finishing in the top 4, okay so this isn’t claiming the trophies that Arsenal fans so crave, but it does see the Gunners at the top table of European football year on year.

The recent acquisitions of Lukas Podolski and Olivier Giroud are both very good buys, given the pairs history of finding the net. With the talents of Jack Wilshere and Mikel Arteta in the midfield it is likely that they will get the service that they need to impress.

Whether Robin Van Persie will line up with such players next season remains to be seen, but the  Gunners certainly have the talent to be right up there at the end of  next season, whether trophies come with it, it will be interesting to see.

Below is a video of the last time Arsenal won a major trophy.