DW Thomas
(Ed’s note – This article was submitted last week before the confirmed transfers of Fabregas and Eboue)
I am a new Arsenal fan, with an old soul. I love history in general and Arsenal’s in particular, not just as a football club. It is grand, with exceptional memories of unmatched quality. I have followed them religiously since the 07-08 season, but, really fell in love as a fan when watching the highlights video of the Invincibles season. My passion for the Gunners was cemented watching the goal Henry scores against Liverpool that year, toying with at least three Liverpool defenders including Carragher (whom I respect a lot as a player). It was amazing. I have since immersed my free-time in Arsenal. Being a schoolteacher allows me time off in the summer to watch the transfer news. With recent technology I can access the internet almost anywhere and see what the next new story is. Yet, this summer all the hours I spent reading blogs and news websites has left me feeling down and depressed about the season to come.
We aren’t the same team anymore, and we need to get over it. We have no one like Bergkamp or Henry or Pires or Vieira. All were truly world class winners, proven in major competitions and the league. Yes Fabregas is great, I love him as a player, but in no way is he a leader. He always seems to have the drive to win, but compare him when with Flamini in 07-08 to the last few seasons. No way is he the same player, at least his heart is elsewhere. Nasri, also world class. How would we have done last season had he remained the focal point last year and Cesc had remained injured? Don’t get me wrong, both players in the team make us better, yet, Nasri lost something toward the season’s end. Now we should let both go unless they fully commit both publicly and privately. They are with Arsenal for the long term. If not, goodbye and thank you. Replace them as best we can, move on.
In my short time invested as a supporter of Arsenal, I have been patient with Wenger. He has frustrated me in many areas to the point where I have wanted him out. However, upon clear-cool-headed reflection, I see what he has done with Arsenal over the years and I think he needs and deserves just a tad bit more time. His ideas to develop a youthful team over 5 years or so into champions is idealistic, a dream maybe. He should have achieved it in 07-08 and probably again last year. We all know what was lacking: a balance with experienced players. No doubt, he has made many mistakes, key ones, which I will list later. And don’t misunderstand me. No man, including Wenger, is bigger than the club. He has given us so much, but it may be time for him to stand down.
His players again and again have let him down. Key instances: Gibbs and Almunia in the Champions League Semi-final vs. Man United. Szczesney and Koscielny in last year’s Carling Cup Final. Fabregas with his arm versus Tottenham last year. Henry, Lehmann, and Almunia in the 2006 Champions League final. You can all think of many more poor performances and mistakes, major and minor, that illustrate Arsenal were not yet winners, again. Can you imagine Wenger’s mindset - being so close, yet losing on each and every occasion where potential glory is there for the taking! He led a team to an undefeated season and now he has his best ever squad? You’re having a laugh, Arsene.
I believe he loves his job, players, and club. But, get real. It must get old, being let down these past six years, right? He must be frustrated the most as his brainchild has come up short so many times. So how does he fix it? Read any decent Arsenal blog and you will spot the problems if you don’t know already. We fans are sharp, even the ones who rant and rave simply want to win and want the best for the club. And that’s what this year should only be about, the club, the Arsenal, and rebuilding, for the fans. Let’s look at his main faults:
1) No proven world class keeper since Lehman. All other top clubs have one. Sticking with Almunia so long is really unfathomable given who we could have brought in recently to replace him (Given, Swarzer, etc). No other keeper is really proven, yet.
2) No depth at the back, especially at CB recently. Last January failing to buy Samba looks very wrong indeed. Could he have made the difference? Wenger too often relies on his players coming back or staying healthy and it doesn’t happen. Coincidence? Maybe. But, it takes a coach time to get new players acclimated to the team and its culture. Is he afraid he can’t do this with outside, experienced players coming in from other clubs? Could he not handle a Sneijder or Ronaldo?
3) A seemingly over-extreme emphasis on style over substance. Style is great, but where are the consistent results? I love our play, second only to Barca (sometimes equal) in its enjoyment to watch. Yet, you still have to battle it out for wins at times and forgo the pretty play, the tippy-tappy. More players need to be able to get stuck in and be stronger on the ball. He must make this attitude a central point this year and remind the team constantly!
4) Sticking it out too long with the so called “deadwood” players. I think Diaby, given time and an injury free season could be great. He has the talent, but how does Wenger coach this individual? How is he motivated and challenged as a player? Look at his own goal against Man United or his reaction in the Newcastle game--both terrible decisions/mistakes. These type of players must come of age and mature sometime, right?
How many times have we watched Denilson jog back on defence to cost us something? Take the Tottenham game last year. Having a DVD allows us fans to replay situations in a game and analyze. If you watch his run/jog back I think on Bale’s goal, it is staggering to think he was played at all after this result. Not the first time he was found lacking. This is perhaps Wenger’s greatest fault with the last few seasons and the type of thing that has cost him the most points and titles. He has to see these things as he reviews games, doesn’t he?
Almunia. Ok. Probably a good fellow, loyal to the club. Yet, he has made so many important errors its shocking. As a backup, I don’t mind him. But, to start last season with him as our #1 was a crucial error in judgment. Again, Wenger, we understand your faith in the players, but, they must live up to it as well, no?
Eboue. Ever have a word about his diving, Arsene? And all his other antics? I actually think he is a decent player when focused. But does Wenger have too much tolerance for these kinds of things/players?
As a coach, a key to your ability to get the best from your team is to make them fully aware of their failings or weaknesses as individuals and as a team. Ferguson seems to have that ability-to bring the best out of his teams. Does Wenger have that anymore? Did he ever? Can he take that rough diamond and remove the impurities? Does he try this too often? Maybe some ready to use diamonds is what we have needed. Experienced, quality players he doesn’t have to hone. Discipline is a habit that breeds results, in all areas of life. Without it, failure emerges. Does Arsene require of his team the necessary discipline and good habits that are required of champions?
5) Arsene needs other team coaches who question him and he will listen to. It seems obvious he has no one at the club who seems to challenge him. At least on transfers this would be a great help. Name who he wants and let Gadzidis get them. Is his age catching up with him? Does he know how to relate to these young stars who make insane money? Maybe he needs to give the team a day at a soup kitchen working for the poor to remind them how good they have it. Living like princes doesn’t provide the experiences and character of working like a soldier. Where is that fight when we go down a goal or two early in a game or to hold a lead with 5 minutes left at the end?
Ok, now the solutions. Give him a little more time. I see two scenarios:
1) No matter what happens this season, barring losing a top four place and Champions League qualification against Udinese, give him this year and next to get it right. I keep dreaming of another double, or head in the clouds, a treble or quadruple? I know, get real, right? But with the right squad and depth, we could at least see another double. At the very least one trophy is a must!
2) Give him until early/mid September. See how August goes. If we do not get some good results and he keeps making the same excuses, it may be time for change. Good results means beating Udinese and getting at least 5 to 7 of nine possible points.
We have no more patience for “judge me in May” or “this team deserves more credit”. More credit for what? 4th place? When you should have at least had second wrapped up? No more patience for “he’s like a new signing” or “we just couldn’t find the right player” when the whole world knows what type of players we need to be champions again. We all fear change, at least a little bit. Yet, I have a feeling, Arsenal are still destined for greater things, despite who is the man in charge.
UPDATE: You want to trust him, like your dog who has bit you too many times to remember when you go to pet him. Look at these ludicrous recent comments:
