Peter Simmons
I've never felt the need to write an article for this site before - whilst I don't agree with some of what's written, everyone is entitled to their own opinion and there's nothing wrong with a bit of healthy debate. However, recently there's been a trail of anti-Wenger articles and comments which clearly reflect ever-building sentiment and I've felt compelled to write something. Am I an AKB? Probably, but here's why the guy should be lauded for what he's achieved and not hounded out of his job.
His Record
People have short memories. Yes, we haven't won anything for 6 years and I'd love to see a couple of pots in the trophy cabinets but this is a guy whose won us the double twice - that's more than any team, other than the Mancs, have won ever. The Invincibles will/have gone down in history as one of the best English club sides to play the game. This is a guy who knows what he's doing. Despite what some supporters think, we have no divine right to win trophies every season, and in an era where Chelski and Man City have and spend unlimited funds, winning something becomes more difficult than ever. Wenger has been there and done it for us before and there's no reason to think that we won't be successful in the future - we've hardly fallen through the floor.
Not enough is made of our consistency in qualifying for the Champions League. Yes, it's not a trophy, but it's a success of sorts. The pathetic overreaction to what was an embarrassing 5-0 aggregate defeat that the Spuds suffered to Madrid shows how they much they value qualification, and Harry's bleating that being successful in the Champions League as well as ensuring qualification next year is tough is evidence of what Wenger has achieved over the last decade.
The Current Squad
Yes, we all know that the current squad needs to be overhauled - and Diaby, Denilson, Eboue and Almunia should be on the first train out of town. Frankly, Wenger knows far more about football and spotting a good player than any of us. No-one can seriously think that he doesn't see these players’ weaknesses as well as we all do.
But every team has their clowns - speak to a Man Utd fan and they'll be bemused that John O'Shea has played as many times as he has for the them, and Darren Gibson recently had to close his Twitter account down because of the abuse he was getting from Utd fans telling him how crap he was. My point? No squad is full of superstars - only 11 players can play at a time - no club can cope with 22 superstars, there have to be players that are prepared to be the unused sub, the back up etc. And let's not forget that the players above (well the outfield ones anyway) are a damn sight better than some players that have appeared in an Arsenal shirt. It wasn't too long ago that Messrs Hillier, McGoldrick and Morrow were pulling on the shirt and frankly they'd be lucky to get into my local second XI.
Transfer Record
One word - unrivalled. Wenger has been, and continues to be, constrained by the cost of the new stadium. We all knew that if the Club weren't going to sell out to a sugar daddy it was going to have to balance its books for a few years before and after the stadium move and this is exactly what's happened. The quality he's brought to the Club throughout his tenure should be celebrated.
Clearly there needs to be some movement in the summer, and I'd be as happy as anyone to see the players I've mentioned above cleared out but only if we've got better players to take their place. Yes - we all know we need a goalkeeper, a commanding centre half and a back up holding midfielder but players with the quality we need don't grow on trees. I've seen a clamour for Gary Cahill as the answer to our defensive prayers, but I didn't see too much commanding going on when Bolton shipped five against Stoke at Wembley or when Fulham scored goals from set pieces on Wednesday. A £15m price tag for him is a joke and I'm glad Wenger has got enough backbone not to panic buy players that don't improve what we've got.
The Replacement
Never discussed as it should be by the Wenger Out brigade but it's clearly relevant. Is there anyone out there who'd realistically take the job who is a better manager than Wenger? I think not. Do the Wenger Out brigade think that a new manager would end all our problems and perhaps bring a change of scene to the Club so we can move onto bigger and better things? I have a mate whose a Charlton fan who thought that a few years ago and was keen to see Curbishley leave. He got his wish and now he's looking forward to a visit from Bury next season at the Valley. Be careful what you wish for.
Speak to any Utd, Spuds or Chelski fan and they'll tell you (once they've taken up the rose tinted specs) that they'd be delighted if we got rid of Wenger. They see his record and they know what he brings to our club.
Arsene Knows Best? Probably - he knows a damn sight more than the rest of us anyway. And for that reason - in Wenger I trust.
