Will Jones
Has it just been a slow week for the sporting press or is there a little more to be read into the speculation over Arsene Wenger’s new contract?
Whether you’re an AKB or and AMG it is quite obvious that AW is currently instrumental in the running of Arsenal Football Club. His philosophy both on and off the pitch and in the transfer market in times of success and not, have shaped the way the club operate. What Wenger has done is help to create a solid foundation, possibly for future glory.
Arsene has been under pressure from the fans for a good few years now and the man who saw his best players leave in more than one consecutive season has found solace from the board and some fans by consistently finishing within the top four. It is for that reason he is an owner’s dream. If the board really are only driven by profit then it is obvious that the board would have to be insane to let Wenger run out his contract. Kroenke and Gazidis et al must be privately lathering the Frenchman in praise and adulation for what he has done for their pay packets in the past few seasons. Wenger’s conversions of young talent into international superstars are to the board his key strength. Buy players cheap; sell them for profit, simples. However with the board’s apparent agenda this transforms his strength into a weakness for the squad when great players leave.
Currently the board shouldn’t offer Wenger a new contract because if they do a severe backlash from the fans could come their way. From the board’s point of view Wenger is doing a sterling job and will probably continue to do so, but what the fans want to see is success not sustainability. What the board should do is wait. If Arsenal builds on their good start to the season, therefore winning a few votes from the fans, this is when the board will have a window with the fans’ blessing to offer Wenger a new contract.
Gazidis this week showed his increasingly frustrating diplomatic side in his comments regarding Wenger’s contract and bought himself and the board a little time for both parties to discuss terms. He declared Wenger “the best man for the job” but I sincerely hope that isn’t mere PR talk to quell the rabble of the trophy hungry masses to keep the boardroom’s fat cats pockets lined once more. He also left the door open for Wenger by conceding that Wenger will play a part in deciding who will take the reins from him in the long term should he pass up a new contract (“and I don't want to give any indication that this is happening” – well covered Ivan, nice). How nice of you Ivan to allow Mr. Wenger to inform you of how to do your job. Yet more evidence that it is indeed Wenger who is making key decisions in the running of the club not the board. In reality the issue should depend on the position of the club nearer the end of the current contract. If we actually win or genuinely challenge throughout the coming season for a major honour then maybe Wenger should get even more time to build on his foundation.
When asked about his contract in the press conference before our game against Southampton Wenger issued the typically cagey and vague responses which we are so used to from Le Boss. However this time he almost seemed to play the role of wantaway striker playing a little bit of hardball rather than that of visionary manager. He said he was an “Arsenal man”, “I’m focused on Southampton” and that he’d “always shown commitment.” Wenger also cited his age in the press conference as a determiner in his decision; I think that might be a first. Out of all Wenger’s belittling excuses over the years that’s a card he has kept up his sleeve until now. Has the man who has preached and prayed for faith in himself and the club finally walked in to the last chance saloon? Or is he stronger and more determined than ever? From his decision making of recent years in terms of departures, signings and statements about current players which are quite frankly bizarre I think Arsene is about to step through those swinging doors and sign his own death wish underlining a distinguished career.
On one side of the coin you can suggest that if Wenger left, the board could make a real statement of intent to bring on future glories with a new manager upon Wenger’s foundation; but the flip side rages that the board simply cannot afford to lose their biggest asset in someone who is so fundamental to the club. Whether you like it or not, whether you like Wenger or not, this is Wenger’s Arsenal and will continue to be Wenger’s Arsenal with or without Wenger at the helm.
