Rocky the King
Dementia is defined as a syndrome affecting the higher functions of the brain. There are a number of different causes. Memory loss alone, is not sufficient to diagnose dementia. There is an impact on daily functioning related to a decline in the ability to judge, think, plan and organise. There is often a change in behaviour such as emotional volatility, irritability, and apathy.
I pose this tongue in cheek question as a long time Gooner. Over the many seasons I have witnessed a deteriorating ability of Arsène Wenger to make reasonable judgments. There have also been a trend for paranoid statements which border on the unprofessional or irrational.
Take for instance these statements by Wenger -
“I am sorry I am still here! I can understand that you want to kill me but at the moment, I survive.”
“I watch many games on TV — but I take the comments with a distance and a perspective. I know how to separate the emotional from the objective and can understand what makes sense and what does not.”
"The first trophy is to finish in the top four”
Reasonable and balanced at first reading and even allowing either for a sense of humour or sarcasm, it is the contradiction in some other statements that allow us to be able to question his apparent declining ability to reason rationally.
These contradictions go to the heart of my suggestion. As stated above, in diagnosing a trend towards dementia I am hoping that you can agree with the medical assertion that,
“There is an impact on daily functioning related to a decline in the ability to judge, think, plan and organise. There is often a change in behaviour such as emotional lability, irritability, and apathy.”
The possible evidence comes from the lips of Arsène Wenger, as delivered in his press conferences and post match interviews. Over the seasons Arsène Wenger has made odd judgments, bizarre substitutions and frankly ridiculous contradictions. Some accuse Wenger of being a liar as well. The main thing that should worry Stan Kroenke our owner, is the current stance over the futures of Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil.
In my recent blog Is Wenger’s player contract handling incompetent? I said the following:
“It is rumoured that Arsène Wenger has been told by Stan Kroenke that in order to have his continued support, he needs to win the Premier League or Champions League in the next two seasons. I can see no prospect of this happening if we allow our best players to leave on a Bosman, or be sold to our direct rivals.”
Now having lost against Stoke City and about to face a resurgent Liverpool, the club’s prospects for league success even this early in the season is damaged by being already several points behind current leaders Manchester United. This assessment is based upon the lethargic performance of Ozil against Stoke City. Undoubted quality yes, but he is already pulling out of 50:50 challenges and appears to be conserving his energy for international matches.
Last season Arsène Wenger was asked if the uncertainty over his contract was affecting Ozil’s performances. He replied:
“I honestly don’t know but I hope not… When I speak about mental test it is to perform, no matter what the circumstances are around you. Is that an influence? I’d say I hope not.”
Yet after failing to make the top four he stated:
"Psychologically the atmosphere was absolutely horrendous. It has been difficult, yes, and certainly my personal situation has contributed to that but you can never question my professionalism or commitment."
Arsène Wenger’s performance as our manager against Stoke City was lamentable bordering upon the ridiculous. The prospect of another two years of this frustration is already too long. Now it seems that before the transfer window ends Gooners will be victims of more failing plans, poor organisation and the kind of panic buying or selling that followed the 8-2 defeat by Manchester United at Old Trafford in 2011. Wenger has now signalled his intention to sell players…
“I expect to sell players first. We have too many players. It is not manageable. Many clubs are in this situation - that is why the transfer market is quiet… we have 33 players at the moment. We have too many players.”
However he also appears to want to inflict over a hundred million pounds of losses on Arsenal Football club by holding onto Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil. Could this see the Ox and Hector Bellerin leaving? We have sold Gabriel but kept hold of Per Mertesacker. The transfer dealings will probably see Alexis Sanchez leaving for Chelsea after PSG’s offers were turned away. We currently have an overpaid squad with clear Wenger favourites. Yet a playing performance that is flat, unimaginative and wholly predictable.
