Arsenal fans attack as Gunners’ defence crumbles

The season has not begun, but Arsenal’s could already be over. At least as far as the support of its loyal fans go.

Arsenal yesterday suffered the indignity of being jeered by their own fans after another careless display ended in a lacklustre 1-1 draw against the New York Red Bulls in the Emirates Cup on Sunday.

The website has also been at the receiving end of a barrage of comments that have begged manager Arsene Wenger to address the leaky defence.

Arsene Wenger’s side had already irritated the Emirates Stadium faithful by squandering a two-goal lead in a 2-2 draw against Boca Juniors on Saturday and another frustrating result triggered an angry response from the 60,000 crowd in north London.

The problem that plagued Arsenal last season was its defence. And yesterday’s game was a reminder for fans that Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas are not the clubs biggest problem. Its defenders are.

Arsenal’s habit of contributing to their own downfall with poor defending resurfaced as former Arsenal legend Thierry Henry was allowed a clear run on goal only to shoot wide in the second half.

Henry was the inspiration for New York’s 84th minute equaliser as he threaded a pass to Juan Agudelo, whose cross was turned into his own net by Bartley.

In an earlier game against Boca Juniors, the centre-half pairing Salvatore Squillaci and Johan Djourou both gifted goals as the Gunners threw away a two-goal advantage.

Wenger is fighting to persuade Fabregas and Nasri to ignore lucrative approaches from Barcelona and Manchester City in favour of another season at the Emirates Stadium. But his problems may lie elsewhere.

The draw was enough to leave New York as winners of the four-team tournament, which also featured Paris St Germain and Boca Juniors.

It was another dispiriting day for Wenger, who has been heavily criticised for his failure to make top-class signings during the close-season after six years without a trophy.

And to make matters worse, Jack Wilshere went off with an ankle injury.

Arsene Wenger insists if his star, 19, is not fit enough to face Benfica this Saturday he will not play for England against the Dutch at Wembley the next Wednesday.

Wenger said: "The injury is not very serious but it's serious enough that they say he'll be out for the whole of next week.

He hasn't torn anything. He is a tough boy so I hope he will heal more quickly than the medical prediction.”

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