Today's Quickie - Old Man Wenger needs to become Grumpy

"I cannot fault the effort of our team, I believe we gave it absolutely everything for 120 minutes."

So said Arsene Wenger after his side's Capital One Cup exit to League Two Bradford City on penalties on Tuesday night.

If this had been the Arsenal of old you would have thought Wenger had put out a team of inexperienced youngsters who disappointingly lost. When the likes of Fabregas, Walcott and Alex Song have used the competition as a step in their development the hope would be that even the youngsters would be able to compete with the workmen of the fourth division. However, Wenger put out a side that was almost the strongest he could. For a side of internationals earning millions, to give everything and still be outfought by a team whose weekly wage budget is a quarter of what Theo Walcott is asking a week, is shameful.

They are not being helped by their manager taking all the pressure of them. There were raised voices in the dressing room but after some of the performances recently it's clear that a bit of a bollocking is not having the desired effect. Wenger needs to call out his team in public - it is the only way to rid the side of the malaise they constantly find themselves in.

As I wrote here, Wenger's lack of ambition is a root cause of Arsenal's current woes. Another reason for the Gunners troubles has been Wenger's detached behaviour. Once known for his prickly press interviews after the classic Arsenal-Man Utd games, his myopia whenever a decision went against his side, and his willingness to engage in mind games, albeit with a laid back attitude, Wenger now appears tired of such events.

As his side has lost aggression so has Wenger. He looks old, weary, and the growing discontent from the terraces has only added to his woes.

Wenger has become too nice, and unfortunately in the modern footballing world 'nice' is no use. Whether motivating the team or yourself, battles need to picked, wars need to be fought, in the mind if not on the pitch, and right now Wenger looks an ageing general who no longer has fire in his heart.

In his old age Wenger has become placid, an affable wine drinker rather than a bitter old drunk. Perhaps if he became a Grumpy Old Man his Arsenal side would have more success.