Graham Perry
Dear Fellow Gunners
This circular will focus on the issues relating to the likely protest at the Norwich game on Sunday, but let me start with a reminder of an anniversary that will strike a chord with many readers.
Today in 1970 we beat Anderlecht 3-0 in the second leg of the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup. For those of us who had experienced the barren years following the title win in 1953 it was a welcome relief. Seventeen years of nothing – and not just nothing but apart from 1958-59 we were never in the top four. We were usually 42 matches played with 42 points – somewhere around 8th and no Cup runs of any note. 46 years ago tonight football came full circle and our joy overflowed. We were 3-1 down from the first leg in Brussels and Ray Kennedy’s substitute goal minutes from the end of the first leg left the door slightly ajar. Great substitution, Bertie and Don.
Bob Wilson tells how Frank emerged from the shower after the defeat and did his Churchill exhortation. The boys were stirred and approached the second leg with confidence. It was still a big ask but Highbury was full to the rafters. The tension was touchable. This was our chance to re-create history and launch Arsenal Football Club back to the big time. Eddie Kelly was first up. In the D of the penalty area at the Clock End he moved slightly to the right and hit a great shot with his right foot into the left corner of the goal - 1-0. Things were happening but Anderlecht had much feared players – Himst, Mulder and Devrindt and we were still behind. In the second half a wonderful cross close to the flag by Bob McNab (from a pass by George Graham) found John Radford’s head and minutes later Jon Sammels lashed a loose ball into the net. For many of us it remains one of the very greatest of nights – rivalled by WHL in 1971 and Anfield in 1989. Solidified the life-long connection.
Now to Norwich and the protests. We pays our money – we makes our choice. Protests are often unpleasant but entirely permissible. Fans feel let down. The trophies have not come; the goals have dried up; the wrong players have been signed; the wrong teams selected; the wrong substitutions have been made and at the wrong time. The list goes on. A sizable number are fed up. Social media stirs things – gives fans the confidence to let rip. It has happened before – Billy Wright was booed; Bertie Mee was slow hand-clapped. Down periods are met with fan reaction. They are making a point.
I doubt it will bring about change. The Board will not part company with Wenger. He will see out his contract and if next season goes well you can anticipate another three year extension. The protest will make the protestors feel good. They will have done their bit – stood up for what they believe. Some of it will be ugly. Protestors - in whatever area - have some who go over the top. Bad taste will feature. Vulgar language will be in evidence. It will be very unpleasant. So be it. That is democracy – warts and all.
So for those whose minds are made up, they will have their moment and maybe more to come. And of course there is a cause for complaint. This was to be our year and we have fallen away. Sack the Manager. Get in someone else. Make the change now.
For me it is not a question just of loyalty or believing in standards or being reluctant to bring down the guillotine on a good man. There has to be something else and this is it – I still believe in Wenger. I still think he can deliver. For me he is not “past his sell by date” or over the top or too old for the modern game. My faith has been questioned and I have some doubts especially after the fall away this season but I review the whole narrative and the successes as well as the failures and I stand by him. I think he knows what he needs even if his selections sometimes suggest otherwise.
I expect abuse – it goes with football unfortunately but standing up for what you believe in is what the protestors will do on Sunday and this is what I am doing in this article. Standing by Wenger. I so want him to succeed. He stands for so many good things. He plays good football. He is a winner. So mock and deride me. It happens. Supporting the unpopular things in life takes courage. I will stand well clear of the mob atmosphere that will be generated and hope that goals will water down the protest. It won’t help the players. It will make them tighter, playing with the handbrake on and at just the time we need the points so in many ways the protest will be an own goal in one way and a right to express a view on the other. Think about what you want because upping the protest hurts us in our struggle for Champions League qualification.
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