Kevin Whitcher
Firstly, apologies for the lack of fresh content this week. Personally, I have been very busy with non-Gooner related matters, and have received just one submission last night for posting, which I will put up on the site after the weekend (thanks Ian Tredgett). Just to remind people that The Gooner is an open church and that contributions are welcomed, especially for the website. At the same time, I also realize that right now there isn’t a great deal new to say, and kudos to those that post daily on other sites, although at times it is obvious they are struggling for inspiration.
The most interesting thing that has happened in the football world in recent days has been the Champions League final. It’s a decade since Paris 2006, and people generally acknowledge that Arsenal seem as far away as ever from taking part in another. What are the differences between the two Madrid clubs and the Gunners that meant they could make two finals in three seasons?
Well, they both offer different models. Real’s advantage is based on finance. Certainly you can argue that they have it easy in their domestic league in terms of competition for Champions League qualification in the first instance. But are their domestic matches so easy that they have more in reserve for Europe? There could be something in this. Principally though, they can afford to buy and retain players in a quantity that Arsenal can only dream of. Mesut Ozil, one of the Gunners’ two superstars, was effectively a cast off, a financial makeweight to ensure the club could afford Gareth Bale. Going through their line-up, there are a number of high price tag purchases. James Rodriguez cost £60 million but did not get off the bench in the final.
So although Arsenal have plenty of money, they aren’t going to match Real for the wealth of talent they can afford. Yet, Atletico offer a different model, one Arsenal could imitate and actually even improve on, given they do have more financial muscle.
Let’s not mince our words here. Atletico are a selling club, much like Arsenal were in the first years after the stadium move. When big bids come in for their star players, they sell. Needs must. But the first thing that the Gunners could learn from them is that they recruit well, presumably the consequence of an excellent scouting system. Secondly, they blend youth and experience to the right degree. This is something one could argue Arsenal are already doing, but are the experienced players they utilise actually as good when it comes to motivating and educating the younger ones? I look at the body language of a Walcott or an Oxlade-Chamberlain and I’d have to say I do wonder.
Team spirit seems to be a strength of Atletico. Certainly, the manager can foster this, but out on the pitch, it is down to the players to ensure their resolve remains strong, and that they are united. This could be a cultural thing. The blend at Atletico is largely Spanish and Latin American, with the occasional exception such as Griezmann. Arsenal seem to be a far more cosmopolitan collection, and one wonders if the bonds are as strong. Organisation is an obvious facet of Diego Simeone’s approach. His team know their roles. The freedom of to express themselves is used selectively. Does this make them boring to watch? I’d venture it would if there was nothing at stake. But Atletico’s success means such matches are rare. The manager is obviously a motivator. I will never forget Thiago Mendes’ quote before the 2014 final – “We would jump off a bridge for our manager”. Wenger’s players are by and large very loyal to him, but one wonders if they would do much more than jump off a chair, such is the comfort bubble he creates for them. In a sense, he attains their loyalty in a different way, through offering them an unchallenged luxury existence in which they do not feel threatened. Does it produce winners? The evidence suggests it can only take a team so far.
Simeone has achieved wonders since becoming Atletico coach in December 2011, and on a limited budget. Lessons can only be learned from his approach, although they are not ones the current Arsenal boss is likely to take on board. At 66 years old, that particular old dog isn’t going to be interested in new tricks.
Next season’s Champions League final is in Cardiff, scene of several Wenger triumphs before the new Wembley re-opened in 2006. I’d put more money on another Real – Atletico final than Arsenal making the trip down the M4.
If all goes to plan, this year’s end of season Gooner survey should be online tomorrow, or Saturday at the worst. Bear with us.
