Graham Perry
In recent weeks there has been reaction For and Against my position on Wenger. Briefly I have stood firm that he should stay. Wenger In. I have always accepted that there are quite valid views in favour of him departing and in favour of him staying and I have summarised and addressed the arguments on both sides. I won’t repeat them now because the decision has been made – he stays. He is not going to be sacked. He is not going to resign. He will be in place at the start of next season and maybe for another three years. So the issue is not whether he stays or goes but how the Wenger Out supporters handle themselves and their attitude to Arsenal.
My starting point has always been the same – we are all on the same side. We all love Arsenal FC. What unites us is bigger – much bigger – than what separates us. And this being the case both sides need to respond in a supportive way. Those of us who support Wenger must not crow because he is staying and, again, not crow if next year turns out to be a successful year. Those supporters who oppose Wenger need to put the team first and support them with the same gusto that they have shown over the years.
The reason I say this is because there has been more heat than light – more virulence than debate – more hatred than tolerance. And it can hurt the one thing we all love – Arsenal FC. We want to soften the exchanges, show more respect for contrary views and ensure the team receive the full hearted 100% support whenever they play. The worry is that the deep seated animosity displayed towards Wenger – replete with repeated use of F and C words – will make it difficult for fans eager for his departure to get behind the team in each and every game. We cannot have any “afters” – we cannot go after players – we cannot boo a poor performance by a player or a team or chortle at setbacks.
Love for people means most in difficult times. It is easy to be positive and gushing when times are good but it is when times are bad that we supporters, especially those with animosity to Wenger, have to show their love of Arsenal FC with unrestrained commitment.
This is not easy. Read social media, whether it is onlinegooner or other blogs and websites and you will see how toxic matters have become. Some – quite a few in fact – have really let rip – really gone for the jugular – really want Wenger in pieces. They have a problem – what do they do? Do they stay angry, bitter, vehement? Ask yourselves the question – what next?
It is not easy to change tack when you have taken a firm stand but that is what needs to be done. Hostilities need to be suspended for the greater good. If the animosities continue, the spirit will be sapped. We will be at war with each other. The Emirates will become a battlefield. Every setback will be accompanied by more banners and more anti-Wenger chanting. It will trigger the opposite – banners in support of Wenger and pro-Wenger chants. The atmosphere will deteriorate – the family will be at war with itself. Salvador Dali’s famous painting comes to mind.
There has to be a pause for the greater good. Once the decision is made – the decision is made. Wenger remains as coach and instead of looking for each and every setback – whether tactics, signings, injuries, substitutions – we need to show support and encourage the players. They are human. They have feelings and instincts and reactions. Batter Wenger and you batter the players. It does not work. And of course there are some who want that to happen. They will be vocal and persistent and nasty and chortling. Players will lose confidence – play safe – make the square pass – play with the handbrake on. In this way the anti-Wenger mood will go on – to the detriment of Arsenal FC.
Those of us who support Wenger tend to be more quiet. It is a bit like the EU. Staying in the EU arouses fewer passions than leaving the EU. But beware the anger of a patient man. Those of us who focus on Arsenal FC will be stirred to action if the protests continue. Let’s hope wiser counsels prevail and what divides us will diminish and what unites us will grow. We need peace not war.
You can follow me on Twitter @arsenalcircular.
