Rocky the King
So, has Wenger declared war on the fans? Very possibly and I'll tell you why. Having seen and heard the words of Arsène Wenger at the post West Bromwich Albion press conference, I realised that Wenger now considers himself bigger than Arsenal Football Club. Of course I don't believe that Wenger would set out to deliberately harm the Arsenal, but his clueless tactics, which mirror the performance of his team, suggest that he has given little thought for the consequences of his delay in announcing his decision. In my opinion, this fit of pique could result in an unintended vengeful approach. Wenger has chosen not to declare his decision during the International week. A pity, because fans and all interested parties could have then debated the consequences in isolation. The decision when it finally comes will become the news agenda which will have the effect of being a major distraction for the playing squad. If it comes before the important league match against Manchester City, and if they beat us in the two game series (League and FA Cup), the consequences of this strategy would then put to an end any hopes that we have of finishing the season with pride.
Wenger's inept stance has the effect of appearing to exact revenge upon those fans who have waved Wenger Out banners at fixtures. This is why I ask if Wenger has declared war on the dissenting fans of Arsenal Football Club. In the press conference he struck a face of controlled anger, and if in fact as they say, revenge is a dish best served cold, then his manner looked almost threatening. Am I being fanciful? Probably, however you need to watch the video clip and take a long deep look into Wenger's eyes and see what I mean. This was not a man expressing remorse or being even slightly apologetic about what had just transpired. Instead his demeanour appeared calculating as he baited his press audience. He could have just said nothing, yet he chose to declare his intention to tell all very soon, as his mind was made up.
I made a mistake by saying previously that Wenger was virtually an irrelevance. I now see him as someone who could inadvertently cause damage to the club for several seasons to come. This will happen unless he does what is best for all and calms down and walks away. Let us also not forget that Wenger has been here before. Perhaps we should have paid more attention to his managerial history. In 1987 he was sacked after three seasons from the French club Nancy-Lorraine for poor results. When he was at AS Monaco, he guided them to the league championship in his very first season in 1988. He then went six years without coming close again. He managed to stem criticism in 1991 when he won the French equivalent of the FA Cup, but finally in 1994, his run came to an end with a final destructive season when he finished 9th. After a poor start to the 1994-95 season, with Monaco in 17th place in the table, saw him dismissed.
So what are the possible scenarios of his impending decision?
Scenario 1. He announces that he will leave the club at the end of the season.
Result? Some major players may announce their intention not to sign new contracts. The atmosphere on the training ground could be horrendous. Would players respond positively or negatively? I argue negatively, as there would be no immediate incentives. Admittedly the Board then has time to find a successor and in theory we could rebuild the squad next season providing we finished 5th or 6th. The majority of fans would accept this and make Wenger's final weeks less stressful.
Scenario 2. He signs a one year contract as a sop to his critics.
Result? No improvement in player performances and worse results to come. Everton and Manchester United are on top form and presently on a charge. Despite having games in hand, if we continue to play like this, then finishing sixth would be fortunate and probably unlikely. This the worst run in the league since the poor hapless Stewart Houston was in charge. The subsequent loss of Champions League TV and matchday income to the club would then trigger a bargain basement sale of many of our prized player assets. Bellerin to Spain, Sanchez to Manchester City for starters perhaps? The club then self-destructs and plummets down the league.
What is the best scenario for the Club? I would argue neither. Leicester City have shown how mercenary players are. Rather than be careful what you wish for, they have shown that they can improve their performances at will once the old manager has gone. Arsène Wenger has claimed in the past that his stewardship of the club will leave it in very good financial order for his successor. I predict that his successor would only be given a very small transfer budget if as seems likely, the club loses income. Wenger would then have left Arsenal Football Club financially worse off, and still collect at least £10 million in wages with his new contract. The impoverishment of the club and selling players would be tantamount to an inadvertent declaration of war by Wenger.
Scenario 3. Go Now!
Result? The players all effectively become free agents and they then start playing for their next contract. In just under 10 fixtures we could have UEFA Cup competition and a back door into the Champions League if successful by staying in the top six. This is by far the best outcome for all. Wenger has lost the dressing room and has been hung out to dry by the current player performances. So why not appoint a caretaker manager? This would leave enough time to salvage the season with hopefully improving results. Finishing sixth seems quite distant at the moment with Everton and Manchester United on a charge. This would take strong action by the Board. Sadly this scenario seems very unlikely as the two year deal remains on the table as their preferred option.
So finally to be serious, realistically the best we have to hope for is that Wenger goes at the end of this season. This by being shamed with a very poor end of season finish. We as fans of Arsenal Football Club must come together and declare that no-one, not the players, nor even Arsène Wenger is bigger than the club. We must tell anyone who will stop and listen that Wenger remaining at the club even for one more season would be harmful. Victory through Harmony is our motto. If Wenger can be persuaded to leave at the end of the season, then what better way to unite the fans than for the players to give us a massive victory against the scum at the Lane? This would soften the feelings of the WOB and be a great way of saying thank you to Arsène Wenger. Arsenal was a great and big club before Arsène Wenger and it will return to greatness after he leaves.
Statement: I can reassure animal lovers that no AKBs were hurt in the 'tongue in cheek' presentation of this blog.
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