Kevin Whitcher
‘Who could possibly replace Arsene Wenger?’ is an oft heard mantra when the pros and cons of changing the manager are debated. It is ironic that the Frenchman is sometimes seen as a natural fit for PSG, having a good relationship with the club’s Qatari owners. And yet, seeing what they have done in pursuit of landing the Champions League indicates he would not actually be a good fit. Wenger has reached three European finals in 25 seasons including six campaigns with Monaco. Unai Emery has been recruited due to his record of having led Sevilla to three Europa League trophies in succession. He will try to succeed where both Carlo Ancelotti and Laurent Blanc failed. In Blanc’s case, the decision not to renew his deal looks harsh. Of the 12 domestic trophies available in his three years, PSG won 11 of them, a Coupe de France his solitary failure. Demonstration that domestic success is taken for granted, but that the cup with the big ears is the one that matters now.
Watching Emery’s team – notably without captain Thiago Silva and vice-captain Tiago Motta - take apart Barcelona last night made me wonder how on earth Arsenal managed to win the group they were in with the French champions. If I recall correctly, PSG were profligate in front of goal against the Gunners at the Parc des Princes, and construed to somehow allow Ludogorets a draw in Paris in the final group game. Unquestionably a freak result, but finishing as runners up does not look to have harmed their prospects. They were superb last night and could have actually scored more than the four they did. Emery targeted what he perceived as the opposition’s weak spots – their right back (converted midfielder Sergio Roberto) and a relatively inexperienced (although a French international) central defender – Samuel Umiti.
Barcelona were full strength in front of their backline, but PSG snuffled them out wonderfully, limiting their chances. This, in spite of the absence of the two aforementioned Thiagos and the fielding of an even more inexperienced centre back Kimpembe. Notably Italian midfielder Marco Verratti played like an absolute tiger the length of the pitch.
Critically, Barcelona did not adapt their game to the challenge of the night. They played the way they always do, rather like Arsenal approach European fixtures. Of course, normally, that is good enough, but yesterday, aside from a 15 minute spell after the opening PSG goal when they were bossing possession and territory, they looked like a team on the rack.
So in conclusion, when people ask who could possibly replace Arsenal’s current manager, watching a few matches in both the Premier League, foreign leagues and European competition suggest that in fact, there may well be a good number of talented upcoming individuals who have adapted to the ways of the modern game more easily than M. Wenger seems to have managed to. Take each match as it comes, sure. Arsenal do that. But prepare for the opposition before the game, and if need be, be proactive and prepared to make changes once the game has begun to adapt to events. That is something Luis Enrique failed to do last night, and one suspects the Catalan club will have a new man installed this summer as a consequence.
Apparently there was a tweet last night to the effect of “We all thought if we waited long enough Arsenal would end up playing like Barcelona, who’d have thought it would be the other way round?” – although I can’t find it to credit it. Still, it made me chuckle.
We watch and wait to see what unfolds in the Allianz Arena this evening. Football is full of surprises, and no-one could foresee PSG winning by four goals against Messi, Suarez, Neymar, Inestia and co. Isn’t it about time Wenger eliminated a European giant for the first time since 2008? Or will Carlo Ancelotti have prepared his team to nullify Arsenal’s attacking threat? One hopes not to be hiding behind the sofa by 9 o’clock this evening…
