Graham Perry
Last match of the season. We need a point to secure third place and a win might get us to second place if THFC slip up at Newcastle. I am not big into predictions of match results but like everyone else I have an instinct and sense a 5-0 win for THFC. They have slipped up in recent matches and will be so motivated to end up above us that they will be 100% focused on all three points. Actually they are a good side with good players and good manager and I expect them to be challenging for honours next season.
That is Spurs and we are Arsenal and we have our own issues. First, and it is said without any crowing at all, the anti-Wenger protest was pretty poor fare. For all the noise on social media and the heaped up insults and anger and sometimes vitriolic hatred for the man the protest was a damp squib and an embarrassment to those who wrongly believed they had numbers and right on their side. They were easily drowned out by the Wenger loyalists – and I count myself as one – who want the man to stay at the helm for next season and possibly thereafter as well.
Wenger is not a “done” man. He is not past his “sell-by” date. He remains the best bet to bring us honours. I know such words irritate the online gooners who line up to thrown bile at me. Such people are entitled to their view. Football is all about opinion. Football is an expensive game. Following Arsenal is a costly pursuit. Democracy must embrace all points of view though I do cavil at the sheer vulgarity of some. Put that to one side as it will be with us forever as it is an unfortunate permanent abuse of the freedom that social media provides.
For sure I know the moans and groans that people have about the lack of a title. This was to be our year and it was not to be and the manager is responsible for that. We have suffered too many injuries which have disrupted performances on the field. Sometimes we have lacked apparent mental strength to deal with setback as in the home match v Swansea but immediately here I remind fellow fans of the 10 man fightback at White Hart Lane and the determination to secure the crucial draw against City last week. And to those who wrongly say the players do not care please recall the celebration when Danny headed the winner against Leicester and more important, as an example of what I am saying, Koscielny’s goal against West Ham to get us back to 3-3. Yes, I agree we should have won that match but that is not the point. The players were stung by going 3-2 down and the rampant celebration that accompanied the equaliser was evidence of our desire and commitment.
The close season approaches and we will have to see how Wenger views his options. There are players who have fallen short – there are players that he will want to sign and there are players coming through for whom room needs to be made. Too many signings and young players will have no incentive to come to AFC – Bellerin last season and Iwobi this season need to be accompanied by one/two more next season. Players are moving on so there is room but Adelaide and Willcox and Bielik will be looking for a chance to shine. It will be an interesting close season and the injury to Danny also now affects how the money is spent.
Some call it stubbornness and a wilful refusal to see the real world. Others call it character and strength which are the indispensible qualities of a top manager. I want titles like you want titles but I also count an average position of 2.74 – second only to Bob Paisley and the stadium paid for and a strong balance sheet as really special achievements that justify the conclusion that it is best to wish for the one who has fallen short and wants to go the extra mile than the uncertain skills of any “top” coach plucked from the many that would want to be installed as Wenger’s successor.
And to those of you who write the nasties and the negatives and speak with venom about his record ask yourself whether you might just be barking up the wrong tree. Do you really want to spend your time looking for each and every negative to justify your conclusion that Wenger must go? You have an alternative – put the anger and the bile to one side. Cease focusing on the negatives and appreciate that you might just be wrong.
I am tweeting daily @arsenalcircular and have almost 2000 followers. It is lively and focused and full of good opinion
