Ian Tanner
A plaque on the now dilapidated pavilion at May’s Bounty Cricket Ground, Basingstoke, informs that the building was erected to celebrate the new Century on 1st January 1901. Much have we lost since Victorian times, including the ability to count. How very British that, precisely 100 years later, the first day of the new Millennium, the inappropriately-named Millennium Dome should close for business. Coincidentally, I spent the afternoon of 1st January 2001 at a nearby tourist attraction, The Valley, where Alan Curbishley’s Charlton Athletic beat Arsenal 1-0. Curbishley left five seasons later, presumably because he’d taken Charlton as far as he was able; CA’s ambitions exceeded AC’s abilities. Onwards and upwards under a new manager … in the following three seasons, Charlton were relegated twice. Last week I returned to The Valley, the Saints being one of my teams from boyhood. Bournemouth were another, and I also saw the 2-2 humdinger at Dean Court against The Addicks on Saturday, for whom it’s now three points from 33 in Division 1. How those wanting Regime Change must be ruing their folly.
As we returned to London after the FA Cup defeat, Gooners aplenty were wanting Regime Change. On Radio 5Live’s 6-0-6 phone-in, appeals were made for Arsenal fans to call in support of their beleaguered manager, such was the vitriol expressed. David Moyes was an alternative suggested. Moyes has achieved fourth place once in nine full seasons at Goodison Park and I always think of that pinnacle of his managerial career when his name is mentioned as a replacement for Arsene. Let me remind you. Having secured a Champions League berth in 2005, Moyes told his players to go out and enjoy their next match, which happened to be at Highbury. Arsenal won 7-0 and Everton ended the season with a goal difference of +1. Don’t get me wrong; I respect Moyes, but is this the best suggestion you can proffer, fellow Gooners? How would you feel if, after having your contract of employment terminated, you discovered that the better man replacing you could not hold a candle to your achievements? Bitter? You’d want a polypin of the stuff.
Which managers in world football have a demonstrably better record than Arsene? Could you please list them and their achievements? Offer them Arsene’s post, by all means, but please do not be arrogant enough to assume that they’ll swoon at your courtship. And your presumably international search has just become more difficult; local political undertones are not helping your cause. Twelve months ago Arsene et. al. kept 60 pence of every £ earned. From next week – 6th April marks the new fiscal year – that drops to just 48 pence, a 20% decline in disposable income. This self-mutilating madness enjoys all-party support, incidentally, as one has come to expect in this financially illiterate country. Why self-mutilating? Because there’s an abundance of academic evidence to suggest that higher tax rates ultimately reduce the tax-take. In short, everyone loses.
Most football fans can only dream of the season we’ve had and the progress made. Not before time (as I’ve said before), Wojciech Szczesny is our undisputed Number 1. While Gooners were window shopping in January, he was keeping four clean sheets in six Premier League starts. Only that ridiculous Louis Saha offside goal and the Dowd-induced second-half Newcastle fightback when we were at a numerical disadvantage tarnished his record. I share your sentiments regarding Almunia but, for the umpteenth time, we do not need another goalkeeper.
I wrote of “Chesny” during his loan spell at Brentford, when I saw him thrice (sad, I know). I first wrote of Jack Wilshere when a reserve (but not reserved) at 16. Now everyone’s waxing lyrical about him and there’s really no more I can add; I just look forward to watching his career develop. Cardiff City’s David Jones recently identified our Jack, Everton’s Jack (Rodwell) and Aaron Ramsey as three of Europe’s “very best young players”. If your glass is one-third empty, this may bring few cheers. Mine’s two-thirds full, as you might expect. As Meat Loaf once sang: Now don’t be sad / ‘Cause two out of three ain’t bad.
Nasri and Walcott have made huge strides, doubtless benefitting from full pre-seasons and missing their countries’ woeful World Cups. Samir is a Player of the Season contender; Theo’s pace had even Barca’s players backing off. Having essentially missed last season through injury, Djourou’s statistics are hugely impressive. These six players, aged 24 or younger, can form the nucleus of our squad for years to come. Oh, yes, I almost forgot RVP and Cesc, our vice-captain and captain, and two World Cup Finalists.
Arsene joined us from Japan, a nation whose people have demonstrated recently a degree of selflessness and stoicism which is the envy of the world. No sense of entitlement there. With a little more patience, a little less sense of entitlement, we may one day support a team that’s the envy of the world.
(Ed’s note – For those who wish to express a view on the club’s future, our latest referendum asks for your vote on whether Arsene Wenger is still the best man to manage Arsenal. Is the silent majority AKB or AMG/WLP? Vote by returning to the main page and scrolling down. It’s on the right hand side. Should be an interesting vote!)
