Graham Perry
Dear Friends
I have not “gone missing”.
I am busy tweeting and I encourage you to follow me @arsenalcircular for up to date comments on the situation at Arsenal.
Let me say right at the start that I remain firmly in the Wenger Stay camp and by the time you have finished reading this Circular you will see my reasons for reaching this conclusion.
But some comments first. As recent results have been poor and as the Board have been slow – publicly at least – to make clear whether AW will be at the helm next season a momentum has developed that is anti-Wenger. There is justification for believing that he should not renew his contract. Only two FA Cup victories since 2005. Unsuccessful attempts to get to quarter-finals of Champions League, to challenge for the League, unresolved problems in central defence, lack of guile in midfield, a feeling that Ozil has fallen short and more.
Those who want Wenger Out are now split into two camps; the respectful and the disrespectful. The former acknowledge his contribution to AFC, his two Doubles and six FA Cup wins and the exciting play of the Invincibles. The latter mutter words about his past achievements and then engage in repugnant and vulgar insult. They pollute the atmosphere and get in the way of proper discussion and debate.
We are all on the same side. We are all Arsenal supporters. We all want to see us win trophies, beat THFC and others. We want to be at the top table. But we are divided. Failure on the field of play has led to confrontation on the terraces and in the stands and on social media. Some dedicated to Wenger’s speediest departure from AFC ratchet up the antagonism, spleen and rage. Their views create an anti-reaction and a schism turns into a rupture which puts us precariously close to confrontation. Do those who demand Wenger’s head want success or failure on the pitch? It is a fair question to ask. Winning matches strengthens Wenger’s position. Defeats damage Wenger’s position so if you want Wenger out of Arsenal do you want the team to lose or do you still want them to succeed? Many good fans who are against Wenger continuing do want the team to win every match. The not-so-good fans – not so sure.
Part of the problem with this question is that decisions are not being made. Either the Board are indecisive and have differences among themselves or the Board remains different from Boards of other soccer clubs and simply refuses to bow to pressure from some fans and the media - preferring to remain above the spat and leaving matters to developments on the pitch. But Board silence plays into the hands of those who want Wenger out – it enables comment and speculation to remain rampant.
So why am I firmly in the Wenger camp?
1. He has won and knows what is needed to win.
2. He knows about pressure and keeps his head when the results have been bad.
3. He has been loyal to Arsenal – here two matters have been insufficiently appreciated. He contributed to the construction of the stadium by staying at the Club on modest terms of remuneration and thereby giving confidence to the lenders. Second, financing for the project proved difficult as Arsenal were not granted any public subsidy by the government. The club had, therefore, to seek other ways to generate income, namely by adopting a policy of buying football players for low transfer fees and selling high – Anelka, Overmars/Petit. Wenger still won titles and Cups. Thereafter when more crown jewels needed to be sold to raise funds he still reached the top four every year. These achievements matter when he could have doubled his salary by accepting offers from other top clubs – matters. Loyalty matters. He stood by AFC.
4. The final point – Is he past it? Has football overtaken him? Have younger coaches come to the fore with new and better ideas? Many fans see the results and conclude “Yes” to each of the three questions. That is not unreasonable. I accept that although it is not my view. It is harder to defend Wenger than to support him. So why do I defend him? Simply I have confidence that he can put it right. Is this a pious hope based on sentiment? No, and for this reason – he has kept us close to the top. We have never flirted with relegation. We have never been mid-table. He has kept us in the top four for five years or twelve years or eighteen years? No 20 years. Now we have hit a rocky patch and the pressure is on Wenger. Last season was our best chance and not spending the money he had available to improve beyond Arteta, Flamini and Rosicky was an error. This year the impact of Mustafi and Xhaka has been uncertain but these are not hanging offences – not sacking offences. He has the maturity, experience and appetite to come again.
If the anti-AW are right the results will go against us. If the pro-AW are right the results will go for us. We are still in with a chance of a top four place and we are just one match away from an FA Cup Final.
Some have suggested that I should press for Wenger to move upstairs while a younger coach is recruited and the two should work in harness. That way we keep the experience and AFC commitment of Wenger and wed it to the modern coaching skills of the new young man. Not for me. There can only be one boss and that is either Wenger or his successor, not an enforced marriage. So the choice boils down to this for next season – Wenger or the New Man.
The New Man’s time will come – for me, stick with Wenger – the man has more to offer – he is Arsenal to the core – he has shown great loyalty – he is entitled to loyalty in return – he can still do it. The Club is secure. Its future is not at risk. Its finances are sound. We have always been at the top or near the top. Stay with it.
More from me after the two matches against Man City.
Follow me on Twitter@arsenalcircular.
