In the past few months, Arsene has been on the receiving end from the club's supporters, who have been frustrated with the lack of activity of the club in the transfer market, the failure to win big games, numerous failed attempts to win a trophy and most of all- they are tired of Arsene, they feel he has lost the plot, he needs to retire and the list goes on and on.
As I sat down and read the tweets, facebook posts, radio calls, posters and debates going on regarding Arsene, I felt sorry for the man who rejected big moves to Real Madrid, Bayern and other clubs and has done all that has been in his abilities to make Arsenal a force they are today.
I thought I would have my say on this matter, and perhaps shed some light on what Arsene has been going through, he, just like every other human is no angel and is bound to make mistakes, perhaps he makes quite big mistakes which cost a fortune, but he is the same man who is the reason why Arsenal have never failed to make it to the top four of the EPL, despite having one of the most economical teams (cost wise) in the top half of the table.
What has Arsene done for Arsenal?
-The invincible team that won the EPL
-In his second season won the Premier League and FA Cup to complete the second league and cup double in the club's history.
-Double once more in the 2001–02 season
- 2003 FA Cup -Final
-Winning % Since 1996- 56.72%
The above list may not be as long as what other managers have achieved, but it is also important to note that Arsene has worked under the most difficult circumstances for a top four club. If compared to Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United, Manchester City and now Tottenham, Arsene has worked on very limited budgets, something that only David Moyes has gone through. Since their move from Highbury, Arsenal have been considered a money making business and the club had its aims set- recover all the debts! Which after all these years, has finally been achieved!
He has had to build squads contending for Champions League, Premier League, FA Cup and Carling Cup at the same time, with a budget that doesn't fit in today's transfer market. There is no manager who wishes to loose his best players, even Ferguson never wanted to loose Ronaldo, but the circumstances force Managers to give up. When clubs like Barcelona come knocking, with a rich history, strong financial backgrounds, it is hard for players to refuse. Arsenal has become a feeding club to Barcelona (Henry, Fabregas, Hleb, Song), Man City (Adebayor, Toure, Clichy, Nasri) and now, probably one of the biggest mistakes Arsene has ever made- to sell his best player to his local rivals- Manchester United.
One thing however, I must point out, apart from the Henry, Fabregas and RVP Transfers, Wenger has got his decision of letting the rest go absolutely correct. When a player has been nothing short of a trouble maker in the dressing room, and has no willingness to play for the club, why keep him? This is one character that defines a great manager- Man Management and his ability to make bold decisions.
Arsene's ability to explore young talents and make them superstars is unquestionable, just like his technique in building the youngest team (average age) and take it to the heights of top four EPL finishes. It is something that not many managers would do, not every manager would risk to put young players as young as seventeen and eighteen in a Champions League must win game and grind out a result. However, it is sad, that players today have lost meaning of the word loyalty and sacrifice, and end up forgetting their roots when they are a strong tree!
Where has Arsene got it wrong then?
As much as I love total football, and Arsene's philosophy of playing one of the most beautiful games in Europe, I still disagree with him when it comes to his behavior in the transfer market- where he brands it as Mad! Class and Quality don't come in cheap, yes players are over priced, but what do you do when clubs are willing to pay crazy amounts? The transfer market is the survival of the fittest, and Arsene needs to play his wild card very well, and stop moaning about the prices. It has cost him to miss out Yaya Toure, Ibrahimovic, Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and others.
Arsene's failure to keep hold of his best players, and his inability to replace them has been one of the reasons for the trophy drought. The team has had no experience that they need, for me, Arsene has failed to replace Vieira, probably his best leader despite of all the problems he had with Keane. The Arsenal dressing room today, could be linked to an U-21 dressing room, where every one is looking up to the other for some inspiration, and end up in distraught.
It might sound strange, but for me, those have been the major setbacks of what could have been a glittering Managerial career of the person who has single handed-ly, economically and wisely made Arsenal who they are today.
He may be old, moaner, stingy, but England has yet to see a manager who has achieved glory without altering his policies and playing one of the best football in Europe. For me, if he is given the money that every other manager is offered, Arsenal will be a threat to anyone in Europe- remember, its the only team to have won against Barcelona without playing ugly!
Hold on to Arsene, he surely is Wenger and could be Danger to everyone out there, he could win everything or he could be the first manager to have gone through almost a decade without a Trophy!
Come what may, Arsene needs to be honored and respected for his achievements!
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