Is Wenger's gun spiked?

Nov 18 2008 By Paul McGrath

MY mum Elizabeth is devastated because she is an Arsenal supporter and Aston Villa wiped the floor with them at the weekend.

She thought it was the end of the world. I was thrilled and tried to explain to her: ‘Mum, do you never remember that I played for Villa for seven-and-a-half years?’ but she could not understand the equation.

I must have told her a 100 times that Arsenal will bounce back but I don’t think they will. It is the first time I have said this but Arsene Wenger is not spending money and I think he has lost the plot.

He has hung on to Adebayor, which is good, and he has a great young team, but I don’t think he is the same manager as when he came over all those years ago.

It is sad because I have met him and he is a lovely man, and so intelligent, but I genuinely think something has happened to him and it is not going so well for him.

I think the Arsenal fans are losing patience and I think the hierarchy will lose patience as well, which is a shame.

He does not like to spend, though, he goes out and finds these kids and they can all play but you need some experience.

I have always believed in Martin O’Neill. There are certain managers that players want to play for.

Ron Atkinson used to have that. I loved playing for him, not because he was Big Ron, but you just wanted to play and get a result for him.