Graham Perry
Fans still very split – some of us really want Wenger to succeed and hope that his summer purchases will bring us success. Some really want Wenger to fail and hope that the buys will trigger his departure.
The media are loving it. They want “fan fury” and discord and confrontation and protest. They fan the flames by provocative headlines intended to encourage protest and complaint. The media do well – financially – when there is crisis and brinkmanship – when parties and fans are at locked in combat.
We have a choice – we don’t have to play into the hands of the media. We can keep our commitment to the manager and the team and shout “Arsenal” from the roof tops. But it won’t happen. The differences run too deep – the animosity and the support for Wenger are there and the press want us at each other’s throats.
My position has always been clear. I rate him highly, want him to succeed. I accept that things have gone wrong in the sense that last year should have been our year but I read all the anti-articles whether by knee-jerk haters (of which there are many) or more refined columnists fingering the nails for Arsene’s crucifixion. Arsenal FC is different from other clubs. Arsene is different from other managers. We do not need histrionics on the touchline in the mistaken belief that it adds another 5% to the performance of the team. We do not want to be the record breakers when it comes to transfer fees. We want ability and character and commitment and AW can convey that to his players and bring success.
And to those who are queuing up to dance on Wenger’s grave I give a word of caution – what if this season goes well? What if the new players do make a difference? What if results go our way?
Have you over-committed to the anti-Wenger attacks that success has to be undermined, even ridiculed? What if Xhaka toughens us in midfield and Perez starts as well as Alexis and Santi did and Mustafi slots into central defence and creates competition for the two centre positions. Of course it might not happen but if it does you will have to think about how you respond. Some will show intellectual honesty and praise AW for being his own man and making purchases when he wanted to and not when critical fans demanded it – others will find ways to be so begrudging in their praise that it amounts to more moans. And remember the younger players with promise – Iwobi, Bielik, Adelaide and Willock – will be challenging for places.
I know I am on a hiding to nothing. Friends have urged me to be low key but I prefer to be out front and make the case for a man who I believe still has it within him to bring success back to AFC.
I think RVP left three years ago – his departure marked the end of AFC being a selling Club. AW had kept us in the top four while selling the Crown Jewels. No other club faced with our financial restraints had performed as well as AW. Always in the top four, sometimes even challenging for honours. So Arsene should be judged not from 2005 but from 2013.
I think we are set for an exciting season. I hope the main events are on the pitch and not in the crowd. It is the performance of the team and not the organised protests of the anti-AW brigade that matters. Trite phrase I now but the proof of the pudding is in the eating. Good Luck Arsene – I hope you make it.
I am on twitter@arsenalcircular
