Haks Ola
(Ed’s note – With it being an international break, I am delving into my unused pile of articles. This one’s interesting because it shows the mood two months ago. It was submitted on 20 September, three days after Arsenal had conceded four at Blackburn. In fairness to the author, I don’t doubt it was for immediate use, although we were probably swamped with submissions at the time – and many of a similar nature – so we didn’t get round to using it. So here it is, read it as a snapshot, as I am well aware that some have forgiven the manager since the travesty of Arsenal’s opening Premier League matches. At the same time, many will feel the writer’s points are still valid.)
This has been going on now for almost four years. Another total collapse from Arsenal, from cruising 2-1 up at Blackburn, we lost 4-3. Enough is enough.
I remember when it all started, on a cold, chilly Wednesday night in October 2008 at the E******s. Arsenal were leading the spuds 4-2, with five minutes to go, I jokingly said to my friend, we have Clichy, Gallas, Sylvestre , on the pitch, and the spuds still couldn’t score. I was made to eat my words that night, out of nowhere Tottenham scored two goals in five minutes; we ended up drawing the game. It was on that night that our mental and psychological frailty began.
Never in my wildest dreams did I think we would still be discussing this fundamental flaw in our biological make up almost three years later, with the same manager at the helm.
Let’s rewind a few months earlier, in April 2008, Champions league semi final, against Liverpool, up at Anfied, Theo Walcott goes on a 60yard run, centres to Adebayor, who scores. We are through to the final, with just seven minutes left, but in typical Arsenal style, we blew it, we threw it away.
How about a year later, in the premiership, back at Anfield against Liverpool. Arshavin scores to put us 3-4 up, we still couldn’t see the game out. Liverpool equalised, surprise surprise.
Fast forward to 2011, up at Newcastle 0-4 up after 45mins, and we still can’t win the game. An absolute disgrace, no professional team, should ever come out that game without all three points. Whatever level.
Let’s not even talk about that the collapse against Liverpool at the end of last season. I still have nightmares of that game.
I have the firm believe these second half implosions, are a cancer that has spread throughout our team, and Arsene Wenger has no idea of how to cure it. I’m sure if we take every single player that played today, and put them in a different team, and give them a 2-1 lead at half time, I would bet my life that nine times out of ten the outcome would be different.
But what happens when you, put the same players in an Arsenal shirt under Arsene Wenger, we have the catastrophe we witnessed today. For me the common denominator is Arsene Wenger. He can no longer motivate, inspire, or instil fear in his players.
This is not about centre backs, or defensive formations. It’s about a group of players who are devoid, of any confidence, belief, or veteran savvy, of how to see a game through. Or, how to stop things going wrong. You don’t need a £20m player to attack the ball at set pieces, to organise, communicate and cajole team mates when things appear to be turning for the worst.
The fact of the matter is Arsene Wenger has lost the dressing room, his players, no longer respond to what he say’s and his training methods. There has to be a fresh voice in the dressing room. We need someone who can motivate them, or someone, who can put the fear of God into our players.
I can tolerate a bad team, I can tolerate, a mediocre team, I can even tolerate an agricultural team, but the one thing I cannot tolerate is a weak, limb wristed team, who lack any sorted of fighting spirit.
Arsene Wenger has been a great manager for Arsenal, he has overseen Arsenal most successful period in modern times. Watching Arsenal play in the last sixteen years came as close as you can get to a true blend or sport and art.
Arsene has given us so much joy and pride since he has been at the club. He has shown us that you can improve player’s ability, with true hard work on the training pitch. He paved the way for nutrition and fitness in football.
He taught us about fiscal responsibility off the pitch. He was instrumental in building our stadium and training ground. He once had a monopoly over scouting, all over the world. Buying young footballers, from as far as Africa, Asia and South America, and turning them into world beaters.
He also sold players, for huge profits, at the right time, keeping our stingy, un-ambitious board happy.
I fail to see what Arsene can do, that he hasn’t done, or thought of doing in the last three years. Unfortunately, he has nothing left to give, and is running on empty. It is now time for Arsene Wenger to do the honourable thing and resign.
Right now, I don’t care who succeeds him, all I know things aren’t going to get any better with Arsene at the helm; it will be nothing more than a minor miracle, if Arsene was able too, restore our player’s belief and confidence.
I would like to see a young, hungry, angry manager, with a chip on his shoulder, and something to prove, take over at Arsenal.
