Wenger's assistant Steve Bould slams Arsenal flops after Swansea defeat

Steve Bould branded Arsenal's under-performing flops a big "let down" in a furious dressing room inquest.

Arsenal No.2 Bould tore into the players after their defeat to Swansea as he questioned their commitment and responsibility after a string of bad results.

Bould shouted: "You've let us down and you've been letting us down all season." And Bould also roared: "None of you are taking responsibility."

The dressing room inquest lasted more than 40 minutes as Bould's patience finally snapped after defeat left Arsenal floundering in mid-table after the worst start to a campaign in Arsene Wenger's 16-year reign.

Arsenal's players have complained they have been left shattered by a gruelling fixture programme but, crucially, some players have complained that training levels have not been scaled back as they are at other clubs in the Champions League.

That has come as a culture shock to big-name summer signings Lukas Podolski and Santi Cazorla and Arsenal are likely to rest as many players as possible for the final Champions League Group match at Olympiacos tomorrow night (TUES).

Theo Walcott, Jack Wilshere and Lukas Podolski will not fly to Athens later today (MON) while Santi Cazorla and Mikel Arteta may also be rested.

It is also understood that more players would be given a complete break but three youngsters who would have gone - Nico Yennaris, Serge Gnabry and Ignasi Miquel - are all struggling with knocks.

Wenger has clearly taken on board the players' complaints of being tired after the dressing room inquest but it is also believed Bould is now pushing to do more specific coaching sessions and drills to save Arsenal's season.

Andrey Arshavin and Marouane Chamakh were both axed from Arsenal's match day squad against Swansea and are both up for sale in January to help fund a major rebuilding programme. Unless Theo Walcott signs a new deal they will look to sell him next month.

Arsenal are in for Schalke's Klaas Jan Huntelaar after glowing scouting reports throughout November and Wenger is under pressure from the fans and from within to spend big in January with serious cash available.

Wenger has been alerted that Chelsea may be willing to offload Frank Lampard - Arsenal were offered Michael Essien in August as the Blues look to trim their wage bill - but the England midfielder has had big offers from the MLS next summer.

Wenger, who will bring in Thierry Henry on loan in January, has had PSV midfielder Kevin Strootman watched and are likely to bid for Crystal Palace's Wilfried Zaha. Derby's Will Hughes is on their January radar as one for the future.

Meanwhile, Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood is making a "good recovery" after a heart attack last Friday. His health will now be assessed before it is decided whether he can carry on.

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Source: DailyMirror