Storyline: Two decades of mediocrity is enough for once proud Arsenal. It’s time for Arsene Wenger to step down.
Courtesy: English Premier League
It has been 12 years since Arsenal won a Premier League title. In 2003-04 Arsenal won in unbelievable fashion–without losing a match. That achievement earned the team the nickname, “The Invincible.”
The likes of Thiery Henry, Patrick Viera, Denis Bergkamp, Robert Pires and Sol Campbell were instrumental in that success story. The team was voted by fans as the best squad ever in the history of The Premier League.
I thought Arsenal would kick-start their domestic and, possibly European, dominance from there. I was wrong.
What I have seen instead is a team in decline.
While Arsene Wenger has done a good job since taking over in 1996, especially in developing young players, I do not think Wenger has taken the club to the level of consistent winner. Arsenal is not competing for major trophies with the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Manchester United, and Chelsea.
Courtesy: Daily Express
Football pundits have repeatedly criticised Wenger for his inability to assemble a squad good enough to win major trophies. While Arsenal always seems to be in a good position in the league table, the team lacks mental strength and character required to finish on top.
Wenger has repeatedly claimed that the club will challenge for major trophies. But players like Nasri, Van Persie, Clichy, and Fabregas arrived with high expectations and left disappointed, questioning the club’s lack of ambition.
Arsenal legends, like Henry and Viera, have publicly criticised Wenger and the board for not spending big to bring in marquee signings. That duo has also expressed fears that the club may not attract big name players in the future because of the way the club is managed under Wenger.
It’s clear that players aren’t as motivated as they should be. Consider Theo Walcott’s comments after Arsenal was beaten by Crystal Palace in April: “I think they just wanted it more. You could tell they wanted it more. You could sense that from the kick-off.”
Arsenal fans are frustrated. The call for Wenger to quit the club has gathered momentum among the fans with placards displayed during games. But the manager’s comments made recently shows that he wants to stay.
Courtesy: The New Indian Express
It seems to me that the fundamental issue is Wenger’s inability to adopt a different tactical approach necessary to push his players during difficult games in other to achieve the desired result.
The Arsenal board has been dragging its feet for reasons best known to them. If the board decides to part ways with Wenger and hire a world class manager, I think that would definitely be a step in the right direction.
The board needs to realise that it’s make or break time for the club. Consider how bookmakers have predicted that Arsenal will be heading for disaster if the club fails to finish this year in the Premier League top four.
The bottom line is that fans deserve a more resilient team. For that to happen Wenger needs to move on.
