Wenger's decision on van Persie costs Arsenal a guaranteed ticket in last 16

Wenger's decision on van Persie costs Arsenal a guaranteed ticket in last 16

Wenger's decisiom to leave Van Persie on the bench has cost the team a guaranteed ticket in the last 16 with two matches to spare. The gunners were held to a goalless draw by Marseille as the captain's replacement, young Park Ju-Young failed to make an impact at goal.

The Arsenal Manager indicated that Park lacked game pace but further indicated that its mainly because he has not played enough games. When questioned why he did not start the in foam Dutchman, The Arsenal Manager fired back by saying, “He was tired. He was fatigued. That’s why I did that,” Wenger said. “You know we’re playing 50 games in a year - he cannot play 50 games.

“He had one great chance when he tried to chip the keeper but you just have to accept it.”

Arsenal now has plenty to do in their final group games at the Emirates with Borussia Dortmund and away to Olympiakos. Chelsea also suffered a similar fate yesterday with Barca and Milan sailing through.

The question that remains at Arsenal is, "Is Wenger relying too much on Van Persie?" 

Wenger had this to say, “You cannot just say that one player would make all the difference. I felt it was a game where we were not physically the sharpest. Upfront we lacked a bit of precision. We weren't clinical. We still had the opportunities in the first half through (Aaron) Ramsey and Gervinho. In a game like that you still expect to take those chances.”