<H2></H2><SPAN>First Published: Dec 01, 2006</SPAN> <DIV class=pictureCaption style="FLOAT: right; WIDTH: 245px">
Arsenal's French manager Arsene Wenger is seen here before a match against Bolton in Bolton, northwest England, November 25. Former Arsenal manager George Graham believes the Gunners sorely lack the kind of experience and leadership needed to win trophies.</DIV>
Former Arsenal manager George Graham believes the Gunners sorely lack the kind of experience and leadership needed to win trophies.
On the eve of the north London derby against Tottenham, the former Gunners player and boss claims the fans will not accept four years of failure.
During Arsene Wenger's ten-year spell at the club a number of big names have come and gone, including Ashley Cole, Sol Campbell, Patrick Vieira, Robert Pires and Dennis Bergkamp.
And Graham believes the fans, having seen the Gunners lost the Champions League final last season to Barcelona, may begin to lose patience with the Frenchman and his current crop of young stars.
He said: "When you've reached the heights that they've reached, the success they've had, the fans don't want success in two years' time. Last season reaching the (Champions League) final gave the fans something to hang on to.
"If they drift out of the FA Cup as well, they're not really challenging - and fans don't like it. Fans will not accept four years of failure."
He added: "He's (Wenger) trying to protect the young players. They all know they're under-performing.
"They have lost Ashley Cole, Sol Campbell, Lauren, Patrick Vieira, Edu, Robert Pires, Dennis Bergkamp. Don't try to tell me they're going to replace them with kids and get the same results.
"I don't think they lack hunger. They need a bit of leadership quality. I think you need three leaders. My back four were all winners.
"Thierry Henry is the club's talisman and only he can answer questions about himself. They looked up to Bergkamp; they looked up to Vieira and they miss that leadership quality."
Arsenal currently sit sixth in the Premiership 13 points behind Manchester United and 10 points behind Chelsea.
Arsenal's French manager Arsene Wenger is seen here before a match against Bolton in Bolton, northwest England, November 25. Former Arsenal manager George Graham believes the Gunners sorely lack the kind of experience and leadership needed to win trophies.</DIV>
Former Arsenal manager George Graham believes the Gunners sorely lack the kind of experience and leadership needed to win trophies.
On the eve of the north London derby against Tottenham, the former Gunners player and boss claims the fans will not accept four years of failure.
During Arsene Wenger's ten-year spell at the club a number of big names have come and gone, including Ashley Cole, Sol Campbell, Patrick Vieira, Robert Pires and Dennis Bergkamp.
And Graham believes the fans, having seen the Gunners lost the Champions League final last season to Barcelona, may begin to lose patience with the Frenchman and his current crop of young stars.
He said: "When you've reached the heights that they've reached, the success they've had, the fans don't want success in two years' time. Last season reaching the (Champions League) final gave the fans something to hang on to.
"If they drift out of the FA Cup as well, they're not really challenging - and fans don't like it. Fans will not accept four years of failure."
He added: "He's (Wenger) trying to protect the young players. They all know they're under-performing.
"They have lost Ashley Cole, Sol Campbell, Lauren, Patrick Vieira, Edu, Robert Pires, Dennis Bergkamp. Don't try to tell me they're going to replace them with kids and get the same results.
"I don't think they lack hunger. They need a bit of leadership quality. I think you need three leaders. My back four were all winners.
"Thierry Henry is the club's talisman and only he can answer questions about himself. They looked up to Bergkamp; they looked up to Vieira and they miss that leadership quality."
Arsenal currently sit sixth in the Premiership 13 points behind Manchester United and 10 points behind Chelsea.
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