Graham Perry
(Ed’s note – The Gooner exists to present supporter views on Arsenal across the spectrum of opinion. The line taken in editorials (and there will be one tomorrow morning reflecting on the events of Sunday and today) is the view of one individual, but we are open to expression of others which are not in sympathy. It must be accepted that there are a significant number of Arsenal supporters that agree with the words of Ivan Gazidis in late May that Arsène Wenger is the best man for the job of manager at the club. It’s a view I can’t fathom, but it’s interesting to hear their arguments, so here is the latest Arsenal Circular, reflecting on the Liverpool game, but written before news that the sale of the Ox to Chelsea had been agreed…)
Dear Fellow Gunners
Wenger did not try to gloss over the failings in yesterday’s performance at Anfield. He is quoted in today’s Times as saying;-
“From the first minute to the last minute we were not at the level required for such a game...not physically, not technically, not mentally and we were punished. The result is a consequence of our performance. It was shocking... our performance was absolutely disastrous”
If that is the case why not sack the manager?
“Have done with him. His time is up” - a growing number will say.
Wenger is the architect, the conductor with the baton.
He signs the players. He dictates the playing style. He selects the teams.
It is down to him and if he fails he has to pay the price.
Change the manager.
That is the thinking of some fans – some of them have held a long harboured resentment towards Wenger and are the first into print with every reverse but not so visible when things go well.
Others growing in number are more balanced. They admire Wenger, like Wenger and wish him success but now question his ability to lead a top team in a title chase.
So after yesterday’s drubbing the Wagon Train is rolling, the Cavalcade is moving and the focus is on Wenger Out Now.
Some believe it but recoil from saying so out of respect for the man.
Gary Neville is in that category – he says that he has too much respect for Wenger and instead blames the players for letting him down.
And there is something in that – Chamberlain, in particular, caught my attention. He was going through the paces. Drifting rather than committed and not tracking back. He has “left” Arsenal.
Bought as a boy and turned into a regular England pick he showed his “thanks” to the Club and the crowd for which he should be castigated for ever and a day.
Blaming individual players is alive because we enter the countdown to the end of the transfer window.
Chamberlain and Sanchez have their minds on moves this week.
Holding has lost confidence in the same way that Chambers did after poor games against Anderlecht and Swansea at right back two years back.
Why do we sign muppets?
Bellerin appears out of position and time and again we are caught out with crosses with Cech to thank for keeping the score down to 4.
Xhaka has fallen short of expectation and Ramsey had to make way for the sharp tackling Coquelin.
There is talk of a Mustafi exit as well.
Maybe there was a plan not to select Lacazette and Kolasinac and include Welbeck – wholehearted though he is, he so often fails to connect in front of goal or is let down by a poor first touch.
But the plan was not apparent and I wonder what both Lacazette and Kolasinac were thinking about being benched.
Koscielny always performs well but is too quiet for too long - failing to lead as a Captain should.
So there are problems of personnel and style – why with Bould as coach are we caught out time and again?
But back to the key question – Sack The Manager Now?
There are reasons why that is not the solution.
Replace him with whom? – who of top quality is available who meets the needs of Arsenal Football Club?
Three games and how many managers of quality are free to put in charge?
As an alternative do you go for a combination of Mertesacker and Lehmann or bring back Henry or Eurotrain Dennis over from Holland.
Change when you have options and not when you are just frustrated.
There is another reason not to panic – the transfer market is busy.
No one can predict what will happen but names have been mentioned and especially after yesterday’s performance it is likely there will be activity this week.
I expect Chamberlain and Sanchez to go and for replacements to come in.
Wenger is also keen to give Nelson an airing and don’t be surprised if the energy, enthusiasm and commitment of Wilshere makes a re-appearance.
Yesterday was a watershed – so poor so early in the season.
But allow your feelings to run away and you can find AFC in greater trouble.
Wenger is not finished – perplexed and self-questioning though he might be but far from down and out.
It is only a few months since we won 9 out of 10 league games, won the FA Cup against everyone’s expectation and only a few weeks ago we won the Community Shield against a strong Chelsea.
So, no panic. It is always easy to slag off this one or that one or pander to the clamour for Wenger to the Gallows.
Execution is cut and dried – makes us feel good – action is taken but little is achieved.
We face a difficult 12 days before we play Bournemouth – themselves with three defeats so expect them to be determined opponents.
We can go in for the nastiness of social media – and fan the flames of protest.
Get the planes flying. Start the pre-match marches.
Or we remain calm in the storm and stand by the manager, the team and the club.
24 hours is a long time in politics - said Harold Wilson
Follow me on Twitter@arsenalcircular.
