Kevin Whitcher
An interesting atmosphere at yesterday’s game. In theory, a huge match, but palpable excitement before the kick off was notable by its absence, with pretty much everyone I spoke to anticipating a home defeat. More significantly, there were a large number of no shows for a game of this profile, the sort of thing one would normally see for matches much closer to the end of the season. That apathy was reflected in the lack of applications for FA Cup semi-final tickets – many thousands had no interest in attending the match at Wembley, even though the ticket prices are considerably cheaper than a grade A Arsenal home game, such as yesterday’s.
The issue of where the club are going in terms of the recreating of a buzz, some excitement, some anticipation is paramount to the supporters. For what seems to be a majority, this summer seems to be an opportunity to offer something different from the treading water of the past 11 seasons, where Arsenal have been consistent, but only won two FA Cups. However, rather than the previous AKB/WOB split, things have got a little more complex now. There is more of a three way divide. Those that still want Wenger to continue past the summer, those that want him to step down (but who feel too polite to do anything to send him that message aside from not attending matches), and those who are more demonstrative to ensure he gets the message that they want to see a different Arsenal next season.
On that front, the protest group that organized the plane over West Brom kept their cards a bit closer to their chest this time around, to counter any club-organised imitation. A mobile billboard with messages on two sides and the rear toured the area for a couple of hours before parking up between the stadium and Arsenal tube station, where it got plenty of attention. They are asking for more funds to be donated to continue their actions, and have started an online petition for those who wish to send a message to the club, and are publicizing their activities through a Twitter account. Another march was held to the director’s entrance yesterday and the marches will continue, with Wednesday’s beginning from the east stand of the old Highbury stadium in Avenell Road at 7pm. Supporters at the West Ham game that wish to send a message to the board not to award the manager a new contract are asked to spend the first 13 minutes of the match on the concourses behind the stands, and watch the action on the TV screens before taking their seats at 7.58. The significant thing about the 13 being the number of years since Arsenal’s last league title.
The group have stated that even if a new contract is signed, their protests will continue. The interesting thing will be if an announcement is made that Arsene is to do a further two years, whether or not those who have so far been reluctant to join their ranks might be tipped over the edge and realize the only way to influence change is to add their voices. Anyway, more of that later, let’s deal with the 90 minutes yesterday.
Arsenal definitely needed a win in this game, as – for their title ambitions – did Pep Guardiola’s side. And reflecting that, both teams went for it. No great surprise that defensively, neither side looked the real deal, undoubtedly the reason both are where they currently sit in the table. Attacking football is exciting and has its place, but I’m struggling to name a title winning side in England that didn’t also have some kind of solidity in defence. Man City cut through Arsenal like a knife through butter more than once, and hit the woodwork twice aside from their goals, whilst in turn failing to clear their own lines. In truth it was a minor surprise we only saw four goals. Guardiola’s side had 14 goal attempts to Arsenal’s eight.
There isn’t a lot I can add to the analysis on Match of the Day last night, which highlighted the lack of defensive concentration of both Ozil and Granit Xhaka and the general inability of Wenger’s Arsenal to work defensively as a unit from front to back. Giving goals away through basic errors is a huge self-imposed handicap, and the Gunners have been shooting themselves in the foot like this for more seasons than I’d care to remember. For all that, after the memories of Bayern away, it was a pleasant surprise that after Gabriel replaced Koscielny at half-time, no further goals were conceded. Arsene Wenger doesn’t coach defence, he won’t let Steve Bould do it, and the players cannot sort it out themselves on the field. The end effect is that they have got tired of falling short, and there is a feeling that they are not putting in 100%. And it's something the manager has not been able to address. There was certainly more commitment at times yesterday, such as Walcott’s foul on Fernandinho, which should have been a yellow card, but led to a chance when the referee let it go. Fierce Theo eh? The new Roy Keane? Maybe not. It needs mentioning that there was a bit of passion on the Arsenal bench as well, as Arsene did his slamming a bottle of water into the ground routine after the second City goal. I wonder if the bookies still offer a price on Granit Xhaka picking up a yellow card in a match these days? The only doubt these days seems to be whether or not he will get a red. Wenger recently told the press in January that the player “doesn’t master well the technique of tackling”. And bought him to play in central midfield. Another example of making life difficult for yourself. As for Alexis Sanchez, although his commitment has never been questioned, his decision making in possession in his own half raises questions. Twice he made life dangerous by giving the ball away. At times, it looks like he is playing for his own amusement now. Anyway, Arsenal equalised for a second time when Mustafi scored from a corner early in the second half reminiscent of two of West Brom’s goals a fortnight earlier, but after that, neither side struck the killer blow.
It was certainly an entertaining game, end to end, very open, two teams trying to win with a draw little use to either, lots of chances, generally high tempo. Games between Arsenal and City are generally like this, and the clash at Wembley will give us more of the same. However, the bottom line is that Arsenal’s deficiencies were exposed, and are not going away any time soon. A point is certainly better than another defeat, no question about that, but in terms of the hopes of getting back into the top four, the team needs wins. They play West Ham, Palace and Boro before their semi-final. They realistically have to take maximum points there, given the remaining seven fixtures include visits to Spurs, Stoke and Southampton, with a resurgent Leicester, Manchester United and Everton to come to north London. And going on recent performances, the inability to prevent leaking goals is unlikely to improve enough to see the required resurgence in results. And if the players are not completely motivated, then it’s even harder. I think most fans now accept that we will be watching Europa League matches next season, at least until the team contrive to exit the competition, which will probably happen around the same time as the habitual Champions League exit once the knockout stages get going. Given that both domestic cups will be won by one of the top six sides, then even a 7th place finish will mean European football next season.
Anyway, onto more fundamental matters. Ivan Gazidis made a rare appearance yesterday when the third fans’ forum meeting of the season was held pre-game. Pressured into explaining what the hell was going on with the manager’s contract situation, Gazidis played a straight bat in the style of 1980s England cricketer Chris Tavare, never wavering from this single response: “The decision will be mutual”. Ah well, nobody expected him to reveal anything.
However, there may be a reason he has kept a very low profile lately. Just over a week ago, a tweet that caught my eye read,
“Rumours there's a boardroom battle going on
Gazidis and Keswick want a new manager in and will leave if Wenger stays
Kroenke decides”
It’s something that I wasn’t certain about, because although I had heard that Gazidis wanted a change of manager, this was the first I’d heard of chairman Keswick not being on board, if you will excuse the pun.
Now, please always remember the following: “Football is bullsh*t central”. Ok? So read what’s next in this light, but let’s indulge in some speculation… because someone who actually is a lot more informed about this sort of thing yesterday told me, having zero awareness of the tweet, that there is actually some truth behind it. Both Gazidis and Sir Chips have been arguing for a change of manager, and even Josh Kroenke would prefer a new manager if it happens to be Thierry Henry (ok, the merits of that are for another day, but the point is the board are far from unanimous on Arsene’s sticking around). However, Stan Kroenke is adamant he wants Wenger to continue and is not shifting. Which then begs the question, is this a vote thing (Friar and Lord Harris in favour of remain? Against three going for Wexit?) or is it simply a matter of Stan saying, what I say goes, in which case, what is the point in having a board of directors? If it is three v three does the chairman get the casting vote?
So let’s see if the following happens.
1. Arsenal finish outside the top four and fail to win the FA Cup to placate the fans.
2. It’s announced that Arsene Wenger has signed a new two year deal.
3. Ivan Gazidis seeks employment elsewhere this summer.
4. Sir Chips Keswick resigns from the board.
Then we’ll know the truth of the above.
What Stan Kroenke needs to understand is the importance of re-uniting the fanbase. It is in factions now, and the disharmony (there were more punch-ups in the stands yesterday) is not doing any favours for the club at all. And the only way the supporters will come together now is when the current manager leaves. Once he drops out of Champions League qualification, there is genuinely little reason to retain him. Arsenal are not going to get relegated, but their chances of bringing back the glory days will only improve after a change in the atmosphere at the club – both in the dressing room and the stands. Right now, we have a horrible atmosphere of either aggression or apathy. It’s civil war at the Emirates, with a large number of fans indistinguishable from corpses when it comes to enthusiasm.
On one level, it’s the most entertaining thing Arsenal have given us for seasons, but only in a peeking between the gaps in your fingers as two schoolkids have a punch up after the lessons have ended kind of way. It’s ugly, it’s divisive and there is only one solution, as the arrogance and stubbornness of the manager have been allowed to go on too long. There are too many supporters he will never win back now.
I believe Gazidis has realized this, and had enough. So it is a ‘he goes or I go’ scenario. And it is the reason Gazidis has not make any public statements or appearances in recent times. His own form of protest perhaps?
“I am clear in my head,” the manager told the interviewer on Match of the Day, but just maybe, the board are not clear in theirs. And if the contract has been signed, the CEO could be just marking time until the summer, when he may not need to worry about fan reaction to the sales of Ozil and Sanchez, because he won’t be around. We wait and watch.
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