Kessy illegal transfer cost Yanga 50m/-

However, the committee has endorsed the defender, as a legal Yanga player, despite the club being found guilty of breaching transfer regulations.

TFF Information and Communication Officer, Alfred Lucas, said in a statement yesterday that the committee has finally resolved Kessy’s controversial transfer saga by deciding to fine the Jangwani street based club a total of 53m/- after proving that the club illegally conducted the defender’s transfer from Simba.

“After reviewing evidence presented by both clubs - Simba and Yanga, the committee discovered that Kessy had legal running contract with Simba, which was to expire on June 15th, this year. However, he said, Yanga dubiously decided to poach the defender from his former club and signed him as well as presenting his name to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) on June 10th, this year.

The defender was signed by Yanga to feature in continental club matches, while knowing he still had legal and valid contract with another club. Explaining further, Lucas said Yanga have been fined 3m/- and also ordered to pay a compensation amount of 50m/- to their archrivals Simba for breaching transfer regulations.

The committee has also advised the federation to take stern action against the TFF official, who facilitated or assisted Yanga to make the illegal transfer.

The committee under Vice-Chairman, Raymond Wawa, said the TFF Secretariat had an obligation to direct Yanga on the proper procedures to be followed, which included ensuring that the Jangwani Street club officials had contacted Kessy’s former club before signing the player.

“If this procedure was followed at the right time, definitely this standoff could have been prevented,” he said. Lucas said the official’s case will be presented to the TFF Secretary General for disciplinary action.

In their case, Simba demanded a compensation of 600m/- after its former defender, Kessy violated his valid contract with the Msimbazi street based club and decided to cross to their archrivals Yanga, where he signed a two-year deal at the end of last season.

Initially, the committee requested Simba and Yanga to seek solution on the matter under the mediation of renowned Advocate and sports administrator, Said El Maamry, but the two sides failed to agree and the matter has been returned to the committee once again.

Simba and Yanga were locked into weeks of discussions on Kessy controversial transfer saga, but the negotiations hit brick wall. It was reported that discussions hit snag after the two sides failed to get solution on the matter and the TFF, Legal and Players Status Committee was required to step in to deliver ruling on the matter.

The overlapping fullback joined Simba in 2014 from Mtibwa Sugar, but had been at loggerhead with the leadership within one year of serving the club. It was reported that the diminutive defender was demanding several things which the club failed to provide as per their contract.

Lwandamina start with JKU defeat in friendly

Yanga fans went to the venue to get the glimpse of what is on store as their team is ramping up their preparations for the second round of the Mainland Premier League, which resumes next weekend.

After a week of hard work in training, Lwandamina made his first appearance as Yanga head coach since replacing Hans Van der Pluijm, who has been promoted to a technical director role, though not in competitive match.

The Zambian tested two different line-ups but still, the isles army side managed to steal the show. Newly recruited Zambian holding midfielder, Justine Zulu, came when his team was already 2-0 behind but could not make any impact to change the score line. JKU opened the score in the 11th minute through Emmanuel Martin, who connected home with a power packed shot after a well taken corner kick by Feisal Salum.

Yanga found themselves two goals down in the 26th minute, when Martin again beat goalkeeper, Ally Mustafa with a powerful shot inside the box after turning defender Pato Ngonyani inside out. In the match, coach Lwandamina used two different line-ups.

The first line which lasted for the first 45 minutes had; Ally Mustafa, Hassan Kessy, Oscar Joshua, Pato Ngonyani, Nadir Haroub, Said Juma, Juma Mahadhi, Matheo Antony, Obrey Chirwa, Malimi Busungu and Geoffrey Mwashuiya.

After the break, another squad was introduced: Deogratius Munish, Juma Abdul, Haji Mwinyi, Vincent Bossou, Andrew Vincent, Justine Zulu, Simon Msuva, Thaban Kamusoko, Donald Ngoma, Amis Tambwe and Deus Kaseke. Lwandamina used the match to test his best combination before the league resumes in a week time.

Yanga will get their second round campaign underway against JKT Ruvu at the same venue on Saturday. Regardless of yesterday’s results, Lwandamina will be keen to get his career in the Tanzania top-flight league to the best possible start by securing maximum points against JKT Ruvu. Yanga, like most other top-flight clubs, have reinforced their squad as they bid to get stronger and firing for a title-challenge, with Zulu, the only high-profile name recruited so far.

Zulu, who is credited for his defensive skills, was the centre of attraction yesterday. The former Zesco player boasts massive experience having played in Israel with Hapoel Beer Sheva and in South Africa and could prove to be a valuable addition for the yellowand- green donning side.

Simba will be in action at the same venue tomorrow to test Mtibwa Sugar ahead of their league match against unpredictable Ndanda FC in Mtwara on Sunday. With two points separating current table toppers Simba with Yanga in second place, the holders will cherish their chances of tasting the driver’s seat for the first time this season.

On Friday, Simba beat Polisi Morogoro 2-0 in a friendly match at the Jamhuri Stadium in Morogoro, with newly recruited Ghanaian keeper, Daniel Agyei, showing quality between the posts. Utility player, Abdi Banda and gifted striker Ibrahim Ajib scored a goal apiece

Decision day for Simba members

The club’s Information Officer, Haji Manara, said the meeting is part of the resolutions of the general meeting held on July 31, 2016 that sought to bring reforms in the club. During the meeting, Simba leadership endorsed a move to change ownership structure, which would eventually allow a sale of controlling shares of the club to private investors.

The decision was reached during a consultative meeting between the club’s executive committee and businessman Mohamed Dewji, who recently tabled his 20bn/- take over bid of the club. Dewji, alias ‘MO’ wanted to own 51 per cent of the club shares, which will make him majority shareholder, while the remaining 49 per cent of the stakes will be owned by other club members.

The executive committee had endorsed shareholding structure, which came hardly three weeks after Simba members endorsed managerial restructuring of the club. Manara said the two sides agreed to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for that effect, although, no time frame was given for the agreement to be implemented.

Recently, Simba Secretary General, Patrick Kahemele said that the club’s executive committee under President Evance Aveva felt it was wise to give Dewji a special privilege to express the kind of investments he wants to make at the club.

The meeting will go ahead after a Dar es Salaam court dismissed application by some club members to seek an injunction against the meeting. A week ago, club’s Council of Trustees emerged and announced to block the planned emergency general meeting.

The trustees said they will not allow the meeting to go on as planned, until the leadership completes the required procedures, including verification of all club members countrywide. Apart from that, the Trustees have also requested the Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioner (RC), Paul Makonda, to intervene and stop the emergency general meeting.

Speaking on behalf of others, Hamisi Kilomoni also requested the intervention of the Ministry of Information, Culture, Arts and Sports through the National Sports Council (NSC), so as to avoid fracas, which they say might emerge within the Msimbazi Street club, if the leadership endorse what they termed as ‘illegal’ change of constitution.

“We (trustees) have been requested by some members, who are against the club planned transition to intervene because a section of club members believe that such changes might bring about hatred and breach of peace and tranquility among the members,” Kilomoni said.

The council formed by Kilomoni, Abdulwahab Abas, Ally Sykes (the late) and Ramesh Patel, demanded the leadership to adjourn the meeting, which is aimed at amending the club’s constitution and change model of operation by introducing the shares system. The new system will allow the club to float part of its shares to the public.

However, the move is contested by a section of club members, who Kilomoni said they had written to the trustees in protest and copied their letter to President John Magufuli, Registrar of Sports Associations and Clubs and to the Secretary General of the National Sports Council (NSC). Kilomoni further argued that the planned meeting will be staged as a mere formality because he said the leadership has already agreed everything in principle with a Dar es Salaam tycoon, who wants to own majority shares of the club.

“Everything about the meeting will be a mere formality ... we have reliable information that the leadership has already reached an agreement with Mohammed Enterprises to change model of operation into shareholdings, hence members will change nothing during the meeting,” he said.

Kilomoni demand the leadership to provide more education about the shares system to club members throughout the country via its branches. And the education, he said should be for about six months to one year.

He also called on the leadership to review the discussions with Mohamed Dewji, who is interested in buying 51 per cent of the club shares for the betterment of the club development as failure of which he said will lead to breach of peace in the club. However, it’s was reported that the trustees later met the club top officials but details of their meeting were not revealed.

Yanga, Azam reignite title race

GIANTS Young Africans and Azam won their crucial ties yesterday in separate venues to once again complicate the race for the Premier League’s title. The victories for Dar es Salaam giants helped them to close the gap with table-topping Simba.

Defending champions Young Africans, smarting from a 1-1 draw with Egyptian giants Al Ahly in their CAF Champions League tie, laboured to a 2-1 win over a 10-men Mwadui FC at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam.

The victory consolidated Yanga’s run for a pilot seat with 56 points from 23 outings, just a point behind leaders Simba, with the former boasting a game in hand. The day also saw last season’s runners-up Azam FC securing a much-needed 1-0 win over hosts Mtibwa Sugar at a rain-marred Manungu ground, to keep their title hopes alive.

Hans Van der Pluijm’s reigning champions Yanga needed a late winner from Rwandan midfielder Haruna Niyonzima to salvage all three points against Jamhuri Kihwelo’s side.

The visitors put in an industrious performance with goalkeeper Shaaban Kado producing a master-class display between the posts as he frequently kept Yanga strikers at a bay.

Yanga started strongly and almost grabbed the opener within seconds from kick-off when Simon Msuva planted a powerful header off a right fullback Juma Abudl’s cross but Kado was well placed to make a save.

Kado could not stop Msuva when another wicked cross, this time from Issoufou Boubacar on the left, found him inside the box. The diminutive attacker rose high unmarked and unleashed a stunning header past Kado. Yanga were attacking relentlessly and went close to adding the second two minutes later with Donald Ngoma’s effort going narrowly off target.

Mwadui levelled in the 13th minute through Kelvin Sabati after a mistake by Zimbabwean midfielder Thaban Kamusoko, who failed to control a pass from keeper Deogratius Munishi. Kamusoko’s poor control allowed Sabati, who stole the ball before beating Munishi at the second attempt after the Yanga custodian had blocked the striker’s initial shot.

Yanga pushed for the second goal but Mwadui’s defence stood tall while occasionally bailed out by Kado’s outstanding saves. Malika Ndeule drew a fine save from Munishi with a stunning free-kick in the 41st minute.

Mwadui created a few openings early in the opening half but could not make them count and were indebted to Kado, who prevented his side from conceding the second goal when he produced a one-hand save to deny Msuva after 57 minutes.

Mwadui suffered a blow in the 70th minute when their key defender Idd Mobi was given marching orders with the second bookable offence following his reckless challenge against Ngoma.

Kado’s excellent form continued in the 85th minute after he denied Msuva with another outstanding save, but was helpless a minute later when Niyonzima rushed into Ngoma’s drop header to slam the ball into the back of the net, sparking huge celebrations among Yanga players and supporters.

Third-placed Azam FC, meanwhile, rediscovered their winning formula with a slim but crucial win away to Mtibwa Sugar, as skipper John Bocco netted the all-important goal from the spot on the 61st minute as third-placed Azam FC rediscovered their winning formula, with result moving Azam to 55 points from 24 matches, two points adrift of league leaders Simba.

Azam were the quickest out of the blocks and could have scored inside the opening two minutes when Kipre Tchetche controlled the ball inside the box, but his effort was kept out by keeper Said Mohamed for an abortive corner. Mtibwa Sugar responded after five minutes through Shiza Kichuya’s decent effort from outside the box that forced Aishi Manula into making a superb save.

Both sets of players struggled to play a composed football due to poor pitch condition following a downpour that preceded the game’s kick off. Azam looked more comfortable on the ball compared to the home team and went even closer to opening the score after 15 minutes with Bocco’s dropping header cleared on the line by Andrew Vicent.

Hussein Javu got a good chance when he raced clear into goal midway through the first half but shot straight at Manula. The two sides headed for the breather tied on a goalless draw.

Azam were awarded a penalty in the 61st minute and Bocco stepped up and made no mistake as he sent Mohamed the wrong way for what would prove to be the winning goal. It was the striker’s 10th strike of the season

Coastal end Simba’s FA Cup race

GIANTS Simba crashed out of the Azam Sports Federation Cup (ASFC) after succumbing to a 2-1 defeat to visiting Coastal Union in their quarterfinal match at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam yesterday.

A brace by dead-ball specialist Yusuf Sabo secured the momentous victory for Ali Jangalu’s stuttering side against the pre-match favourites, Simba, who were reduced to ten-man after defender Novatus Lufunga was sent off in the second half.

With the win Coastal Union sealed a place in the last four to join Azam, Young Africans and Mwadui FC in the semifinal draw due tonight.

The eventual of the reinstated tournament will represent the country in the CAF Confederation Cup next season. It means that Simba’s only chance to return to international competition is by winning the Premier League title.

The Msimbazi Street giants are currently leading the title race on 57 points from 24 games, but they face strong competition from holders Yanga (53 points from 22 games) and Azam FC (52 points from 23 games).

Probably Simba took lightly their visitors as Jackson Mayanja’s men approached the game casually. For the most part of the game Simba lacked passion and desire in their play and were made to pay for their complacency.

There was a few decent attacks from the hosts, one of them saw Ibrahim Hajib charge into the box before testing Coastal Union custodian Fikirini Bakari with a shot from tight angle after six minutes.

Coastal Union coach Jangalu said prior to kick-off that they would upset their opponents with a master game plan and his side resorted to solid defensive game, while counter-attacking whenever they were in possession of the ball.

Hassan Kessy drew a fine stop from Bakari with a decent free-kick from the edge of the box in the 11th minute and the home team passed another chance a minute later when Hajib failed to convert Emir Nimubona’s cross that had evaded Bakari in the Coastal Union goal.

Coastal Union broke the deadlock after 19 minutes thanks to Sabo’s superb free-kick. Union won a free-kick out wide and with Simba defence poorly organised, Sabo curled the ball in from 25 yards with Vicent Angban diving helplessly.

Simba upped their game after the half hour mark as they searched for the equaliser, but the striking force comprising of Hajib, Dan Lyanga and Said Ndemla struggled to break-down a resolute Union defence, marshalled by Adeyum Ahmed and Said Jeilan, Hamad Juma and Hamis Mbwana.

On resumption, Mayanja sent on Awadh Juma and Hamis Kiiza, replacing Ndemla and Justice Majabvi respectively.

The changes breathed fresh life into Simba’s attacks and after few attempts they pulled level through Kiiza, whose flick header off a Hajib cross beat Bakari after 47 minutes.

Coastal Union’s coach Jangalu sent on Ali Ahmed Shiboli, who alongside the impressive Juma Mahadhi caused Simba defence under Lufunga and Isihaka Hassan a lot of problems. But it was the Reds who were slightly enjoying possession albeit without creating enough clear-cut chances.

Awadhi Juma was denied by the post after unleashing a powerful low shot from distance. With the game heading for the final ten minutes both teams had clear chances to score the winner, first Shiboli raced clear into the box but he couldn’t beat Simba goalie Vincent Agban, who stopped the striker’s shot with his legs in the 82nd minute.

Then Kiiza had similar chance a few seconds later when he failed to score while one on one with Bakari.

Union launched a quick counter attack and Shiboli’s run into the box was halted by a reckless challenge by Lufunga, who was eventually sent off with Coastal Union awarded a penalty. Sabo made no mistake as he sent Agban the wrong way. Union held on for the win.

Azam seek to downsize Tunisian giant

THE country representatives in the CAF Confederation Cup, Azam are determined to upset the mighty Espérance Sportive de Tunis in their first leg second round match at Azam Complex in Chamazi, Dar es Salaam this weekend.

The Tunisia topflight league, one of the major players CAF-backed tournament, are expected to jet in today ahead of the Sunday’s clash against Azam who are hoping to utilise the home ground advantage to claim a vital win over the North Africans.

Speaking with the ‘Daily News’, Azam FC Information Officer, Jafari Iddi said Azam look to upset the visitors regardless their reputation in their impressive record in their continental level events. Azam, he said, wants to write a better history and that is expected on Sunday.

He said the home advantage put them in a better position of proceeding into the next round. “Our opponents (Esperance) are expected to jet in tomorrow (today) by a private jet which will fly direct from Tunis to Dar es Salaam and estimated time of their arrival is 22:00 hours.

The team will be staying at Bahari Beach Hotel,” he disclosed. Furthermore, Idd added that preparations for the Sunday’s encounter are going on well as the match officials from South Africa are expected to arrive today in the evening ready for the encounter.

However, the Azam spokesman revealed bad news for the club supporters as the in-form fullback Shomari Kapombe will miss the Sunday’s encounter after he was rushed to South Africa for medical checkup after falling ill.

The on fire Kapombe is expected to be back in the squad ready for the return leg match to be held on April 20 in Tunis. Despite missing the services of the overlapping fullback who is among the key players, Azam spokesman said his absence won’t stop them from attaining their victory; although they know they have an uphill task to achieve it.

“We know we have a herculean task ahead as we are facing a great team, but with our preparations we are determined to achieve our ambition as we also have a better squad, ” he disclosed.

Azam who had a busy week ahead of the Sunday’s encounter, had to play two domestic league games in a row which the club has unveiled them as part of their preps ahead of the Sunday’s limelight game with Esperance. Both games ended in draw.

Azam drew 1-1 with Toto Africans at CCM Kirumba Stadium in Mwanza before being forced to 2-2 draw by visiting Ndanda FC. Azam eliminated South African premier league side Bidvet Wits after winning 7-3 on aggregate. They won 3-0 away in South Africa before finishing their opponents off with 4-3 victory in Dar es Salaam last week.

Yanga drawn with Angolan side

YOUNG Africans will now face Angolan side Sagrada Esperanca according to a draw conducted by CAF in its Cairo headquarters on Thursday.

The Tanzanian envoys qualified to play in the CAF Confederation Cup’s round of 16 after bravery losing to Egyptian giants, Al Ahly in the CAF Champions League. Yanga lost to the eight-time African champions Al Ahly 2-3 following a 2-1 defeat on Wednesday night at the Borg El-Arab Stadium in Alexandria.

The teams tied 1-1 in Dar es Salaam ten days ago. Hans van der Pluijm squad will kick off its campaign to seek a place in the eight-club group phase of Confederation Cup by welcoming the Angolan side, Sagrada at the National Stadium.

The little known Angolan is sponsored by Angolan Diamond Company known as Endiama. According to CAF, the surviving clubs from the CAF Confederation Cup will play the second leg at home and due to the fixture the first leg matches will be held on the weekend of May 6 to 8.

While the return leg matches will be played from May 17-18 and Yanga will be then required to travel to Angola. In the released draw, Tunisia’s Esperance who knocked out Azam FC in the second round of the CC to book their place in the play off stage, will face Algeria’s MO Bejaia while Mali’s Stade Malien will clash with FUS Rabat from Morocco.

While the dethroned Champions League title holders TP Mazembe from the Democratic Republic of Congo, who were eliminated from the CL on Wednesday after drawing 1-1 at home to Wydad Casablanca of Morocco with 3-1 on aggregate will face Tunisian side Stade Gabesien.

Another Tunisia side, Etoile du Sahel, as Mazembe and Yanga who were demoted to the CAF Confederation Cup, will battle it with CF Mounana from Gabon to seek the group stage ticket of the tournament.

According to the draw, Ahli Tripoli of Libya will play against Misr Makassa of Egypt while Sudan’s El Merreikh will face Kawkab from Morocco and South African Mamelodi Sundown will commence their campaign against Ghana’s Medeama.

The fixture has been drawn after the winners of the 1/8th round of the Orange CAF Confederation Cup (CC) being pitted against the losing clubs of the 1/8th round of the Orange CAF Champions (CL) League, to determine the eight clubs for the group phase.

The eight surviving clubs from the CC were Esperance (Tunisia), Stade Gabesien (Tunisia), FUS Rabat (Morocco), Misr Makkassa (Egypt), Esperanca (Angola), CF Mounana (Gabon), Kawkab (Morocco) and Medeama (Ghana).

While TP Mazembe (DR Congo), Etoile du Sahel (Tunisia), El Merreikh (Sudan), Stade Malien (Mali), MO Bejaia (Algeria), Ahli Tripoli (Libya), Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa) and Young Africans (Tanzania) make up the eight losers from the 1/8th round of the CL.

According to the procedure for the draw, the 16 clubs were ranked based on their performances at the group stage of the continental club championship for the last five years, 2011 – 2015. Per the ranking, the top ranked clubs from the CC were in Pot A and the top ranked clubs from the CL in Pot C.

The remaining six from the CL will be in Pot B with the six others from the CC in Pot D. Plot A had Espérance Sportive de Tunis and FUS Rabat and plot B had AL Merreikh, Stade Malien, M.O Bejaia, Ahli Tripoli, Mamelodi Sundowns and Young Africans while plot C had TP Mazembe and Etoile du Sahel and the last plot D had GD Esperanca, Misr Makkassa, CF Mounana, Medeama, Kawkab and Stade Gabesien.

Is Arsene Wenger nearing the end at Arsenal?

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has used the FA Cup as a safety net for the last two seasons - final victories against Hull City and Aston Villa bringing the success that has eluded him elsewhere for so long.

Now, he cannot rely on the famous old competition to protect him - or his failure to win the Premier League since 2003-04 - after Watford's shock 2-1 quarter-final win at Emirates Stadium.
So no FA Cup, as good as out of the Champions League as Arsenal attempt to overturn a 2-0 deficit against holders Barcelona in the Nou Camp on Wednesday, and eight points behind Premier League leaders Leicester City after two losses and a draw in their last three league games.
The 66-year-old is a towering figure in Arsenal's history - but if the Gunners finish this season empty-handed it must be time for Wenger to consider relinquishing control of the club he has served with such distinction since September 1996.
So why should the end of Wenger's era be on the agenda?
No Arsenal fan - even Wenger's fiercest detractors - would wish to see a wonderful career peter out to the soundtrack of growing criticism after bringing three titles, which also included two doubles with the FA Cup, and six FA Cup triumphs in all.
There comes a time, however, when any manager's recent record must be subjected to close scrutiny, irrespective of the past. It is not a vendetta or a personal campaign against Wenger, simply an examination of unflattering facts.
It is the law, the reality, of football management.
And if Arsenal do not win the title this season, a campaign they have almost been waiting for in many respects, the time would be right to hand over power because there are no signs that Wenger is close to recreating his successes of the past.
If he fails again, Wenger will have faltered with Arsenal's rivals all stumbling around them. Chelsea have imploded, Manchester City have been indifferent and Manchester United have been off the radar.
It would be a desperate reflection on Wenger and his team if they fail to take advantage of that collection of circumstances.
Since that last title, on the back of 38 games unbeaten, Wenger has only finished second once, in the following season. There have been six fourth-placed finishes and four seasons in third. Arsenal have rarely threatened to actually win the title again.
And if they go out to Barcelona, it will be their sixth successive Champions League exit at the last 16 stage.
If history repeats itself this season, then it must be the end of the old "Arsene knows" and "In Arsene we trust" mantras, and change must be considered. Wenger cannot be immune from the normal measures of success and failure.

Arsene Wenger - Arsenal career stats
Competition	Games	Wins	Draws	Losses	For	Against	Win %
Premier League	743	429	183	131	1391	706	57.74
Champions League	182	92	40	50	290	189	50.54
FA Cup	102	67	22	13	194	81	65.69
League Cup	64	36	8	20	132	88	56.25
Uefa Cup	11	6	3	2	22	11	54.55
Community Shield	8	6	1	1	15	5	75.00

Toxic atmosphere at Arsenal

Any regular visitor to Emirates Stadium will sense the growing frustration and fury among Arsenal fans as their team falls short - an understandable emotion they rightly feel at this huge club.
There were reports of Arsenal supporters confronting each other after the FA Cup loss while a tetchy Wenger described criticism (justified given Arsenal's recent record) as "a farce".
Arsenal fans brandished a prominent banner at the 4-0 FA Cup fifth round replay win
at Hull City bearing the words: "Arsene. Thanks for the memories but it's time to say goodbye."
The air can only be cleared by a trophy and will become more polluted by criticism should Arsenal, as they so often have under Wenger in recent times, come up short once more. Or it could be cleared by a change of manager.
There is growing unrest, not helped by Leicester City's rise to the top and north London rivals Tottenham moving into second place, with Wenger inevitably the central figure and the focal point for fans' disappointments.
This, in reality, means winning the Premier League. Surely Wenger's future now largely hinges on that.
Arsenal's flaws remain the same this season as they have for so many of the barren years. Responsibility for that lies with the manager.
Wenger has invested in big signings by bringing in £42.4m Mesut Ozil from Real Madrid and Alexis Sanchez from Barcelona for £32m - but old failings have been left unattended to undermine Arsenal.
Indeed, Arsenal were the only major club in Europe's top five leagues not to sign a single outfield player last summer. Show of faith or flawed gamble? It will be seen as the latter if Arsenal win nothing.
Arsenal have lacked a powerful midfield presence for many years, yet Wenger has failed to address the problem. It has led to a heavy burden of responsibility being placed on Francis Coquelin, with a free transfer in his second spell at the club, Mathieu Flamini, as back-up.
And while Olivier Giroud is a serviceable Premier League striker, he is short of true world-class and once again Wenger has failed to produce. Arsenal have been linked with Luis Suarez, Karim Benzema and Gonzalo Higuain, to no avail.
Wenger's once golden touch in spotting and capturing the best youngsters also seems to have deserted him, with Juventus snapping up the brilliant 22-year-old Argentine Paulo Dybala and Borussia Dortmund's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang stating he has no interest in moving to north London. 
He was on Arsenal's radar when he was at St Etienne but moved to the Bundesliga in 2013.
Wenger bristles at suggestions Arsenal lack natural leaders but their constant failures and mental weakness at pressure points suggest otherwise - as seen against Watford and also when they lost 3-2 to a youthful and injury-hit Manchester United in February.
These problems have been a narrative in Arsenal's failures - and Wenger has not changed the storyline.
Arsenal's board will not escape scrutiny either, but Wenger has never suggested in recent years that he was stopped from spending money. He has simply adopted a frugal approach that has seen the club left behind.
Sometimes a manager's time simply comes to a conclusion. Twenty years is a lifetime in football and Wenger may well be the last Premier League manager to preside over a dynasty.
And, no matter how fiercely the desire burns to bring back the former glories, a fresh voice is needed - and that time may have finally arrived at Arsenal.
Change is often required to refresh hearts and minds and simply blow away the cobwebs within a club. This is not a criticism of Wenger, simply that a manager's timespan just comes to an end.
Wenger's words praising Arsenal's spirit and attitude have been a constant accompaniment to a lack of silverware and it has been present again during a run of just four wins in 14 games.
It is a familiar sound, but a hollow one after defeats, and maybe it has become too familiar to his players. They do not back up Wenger's words with actions - maybe they now need to hear someone else.
History will remember Wenger as one of British football's greatest managers, but all good things must come to an end and some results and performances in recent weeks have smacked of the last days of his reign.
There is no agenda against Wenger. There is barely anyone who would begrudge him a happy ending at Arsenal. 
Football, however, is not always like that.
This is now actually the biggest problem facing Arsenal's board after their years of complete loyalty to Wenger. It has meant those who would be a perfect fit for the club have gone elsewhere.
Two of the prime contenders are no longer available. Pep Guardiola, who many believe would have seen Arsenal's location, infrastructure and financial power as his perfect Premier League platform, is joining Manchester City, while Jurgen Klopp is at Liverpool.
Manuel Pellegrini will be available at the end of the season after leaving Manchester City, but is the 62-year-old an upgrade on Wenger? 
Jose Mourinho is also available but he seems destined for other parts and is hardly the sort of combustible character Arsenal's board would consider, despite his great success. Forget that.
Ajax manager Frank de Boer would surely welcome the move. He has no Premier League experience but has great pedigree as a player and has won four Eredivisie titles.
Bayer Leverkusen coach Roger Schmidt is highly rated, while plenty with Arsenal connections might emerge from the pack.
Steve Bould has worked alongside Wenger but has no managerial experience, while others are serving their apprenticeship.
Patrick Vieira appears to have been lost to Manchester City as he now coaches New York City FC, Dennis Bergkamp works with De Boer at Ajax, while Thierry Henry has just completed his Uefa "A" coaching qualifications.
If Wenger leaves he will be a hard act to follow - and a hard man to replace.

Arsenal owner Stan Kroenke: We will not compete with Chelsea and Man City for trophies

ARSENAL majority shareholder Stan Kroenke has admitted the Gunners will find it hard to win trophies with him at the helm.

Arsene Wenger’s side are facing another season without a trophy unless they can close the eight point gap to Premier League leaders Leicester.

And Kroenke who has been criticised by many Arsenal fans believes mass spending is not the answer, according to the Evening Standard.
He said: “For me, being an individual owner, I have to have some sort of reality involved.
“If you want to win championships then you would never get involved. I think the best owners in sports are the guys that sort of watch both sides a bit.
“If you don't have a good business then you can't really afford to go out and get the best players unless you just want to rely on other sources of income.
“Over there [in the Premier League] it was sort of like 'well, we've got guys from the Middle East, the oil price is over $100, they can spend anything they want'.
“But the problem I saw with all of that; those people can lose interest.
“It doesn't mean that they will, but I sort of threw that out there: 'What happens when the Middle Eastern family, this thing's costing a lot of money and they decide to go home?'

“I said what really happens in those situations is the fans get hurt because the players get picked up and paid if they're good, the front office gets other jobs.”
Arsenal spent just £10m last summer on swooping for Petr Cech from Chelsea while City spent nearly £150m on new players including Raheem Sterling.
Kroenke’s comments are likely to cause more outrage among Gunners fans after their FA Cup exit at the hands of Watford yesterday.

Borussia Dortmund pay tribute to fan who died inside stadium

Borussia Dortmund fans held a moving tribute to a supporter who died during their home win over Mainz on Sunday.

An 80-year-old fan collapsed with a suspected heart attack in the south-west stand of Borussia's 81,000-capacity Signal Iduna Park as the match was in progress.

Dortmund's famous atmosphere began to subdue as news filtered around the ground and the second half was played in near-total silence, including when Shinji Kagawa netted Dortmund's second goal in a 2-0 win on 73 minutes.
Marco Reus, who scored a first-half opener, said: "On the pitch, we had no idea what was going on and were initially irritated by the silence.
"But, straight after the game, our coach Thomas Tuchel came to us and explained what had happened. It obviously put a shadow over the game and compliment to the fans for the way they behaved."
Reinhard Rauball, the German FA's interim president told Sky in Germany: "I have never experienced something like that, where the supporters were united in expressing their grief and respect.
"I also take my hat off to Mainz for the way they gave their support."
At the final whistle, the Dortmund team gathered as the home fans sang an emotional rendition of the club's anthem 'You'll Never Walk Alone'.
A second fan was understood to have collapsed during the game but was revived on his way to hospital.
Dortmund's win keeps them second in the Bundesliga, five points behind Bayern Munich, who beat Werder Bremen on Saturday.