In my March 10 column, I tentatively predicted that Arsenal would win the Premier League, although I also said it would be a close race that came down to the last day, with perhaps Chelsea jumping in at the very end. Apparently, I should stop taking those amateur psychic classes, because neither of those things has come true: Manchester United is running away with the title, and the London clubs have nearly given up hope of catching the Red Devils.
At least Chelsea fans can ignore their aging team and look back to fond memories of last year, when they captured their first Premier League title since the 2005-06 season. Arsenal's last moment of Premier League glory came back in the 2003-04 campaign, and the Gunners haven't won any trophies at all since 2005. Additionally, the failure of both clubs to win the Champions League (and the continued success of Liverpool and Manchester United in that competition) continues to be a stain on the legacies of the pair.
All of that begs the inevitable question: Is it time for major changes at the London giants? Of course, the changes would be different at both clubs: Chelsea already goes through managers like Terry Francona goes through bubble gum, so an overhaul would mean gutting the core of the squad in the summer and starting afresh by spending a ton of money on new, younger players. For Arsenal, who always seem to have a young, promising squad, the change would come at the top; in other words, the club would fire Arsène Wenger, the club's manager since 1996 and one of the most successful managers in the history of the Premier League.
First, let's go to the blue half of London and examine the situation at Stanford Bridge. Certainly, most every Chelsea fan would agree that the squad has gotten too old. The Mourinho era core of Didier Drogba, Frank Lampard, Michael Essien, John Terry and Petr Cech now average 30.2 years old, and Drogba and Lampard in particular have been dogged by injuries and a lack of production this season. All five are still effective, top-level players, but there's no doubt that the club needs turnover to remain competitive over the next few years.
The question is, who should stay and who should go? In my mind, Drogba is as good as sold the minute the final whistle blows on Chelsea's season. The Ivorian provided great service to the club and was the best striker in the world at one point, but his bout with malaria this season (and frequent bouts with management) should mark the end of his great career with the club.
Along with him, I see owner Roman Abramovich forcing the club to sell at least one more player; as much as I hate to say it, it will probably be Frank Lampard. The oldest of the remaining group, Lampard's legs have diminished significantly this season, and his frequent injuries make him too much of a liability.
Now, to Arsenal. In the end, I think it will be just a stretch too far to fire Wenger after what, for any other club, would be considered a successful season. Is it time for new leadership? Probably. But Arsenal fans and management are understandably reluctant to fire a man who brought the greatest success the club has ever known. So great is Wenger's influence that a bust of his head sits in the entrance to the Emirates Stadium.
But as with Chelsea, patience is running out. At Arsenal, the fuse might be slightly longer for Wenger, but if he doesn't deliver over the next couple of seasons, he'll likely be swept away for someone who brings new promises of trophies to an immensely talented team.
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David McIntyre is a freshman who has not yet declared a major. He can be reached at David.McIntyre@tufts.edu.
