Wenger, past, present and future For years there has been a split among Arsenal fans over Arsene Wenger. But the majority have stayed supportive of Wenger, even through the last nine years when Arsenal have failed to win a trophy. Even those who have wavered have only really pleaded for a change in the manager rather than a change of the manager; back to the old Wenger, who bought big players and won trophies. There has been a loud minority who have grown impatient and fed up with Wengers thrift, despite the obvious reasons for Arsenals change in philosophy. Arsenal have gone through major change and a move to the Emirates, which has impacted their budget for transfers and contracts, and meant they had to sell. They have looked to the manager as a major reason for that change in philosophy, lack of trophies and change in direction. The good times are easily forgotten. But this season has brought change again. A record breaking 42 million pound signing of Mesut Ozil has shown the clubs revised ambition and hunger for success. They are still in the title race and in the FA Cup semifinals, and the club has a glorious opportunity to end the nine-year wait for a trophy. Yet behind it all is a growing anxiety over Wengers future. I sense that even those in the loud minority share some scepticism and concern about a future at Arsenal which doesnt include Wenger. Suddenly, theres growing concern, the majority who support Wenger are becoming louder and seemingly more worried about whether he will stay when his contract expires at the end of the season. In fact, theyre virtually praying for him to stay. At least thats the vibe and the gauge that I pick up from social media. Suddenly the quieter majority are becoming louder than the loud minority. They are demanding for him to stay. Its rather fitting that this weekend marks Wengers 1,000th game in charge of Arsenal as they go to Chelsea and the Frenchman faces his old foe Jose Mourinho. He has never beaten the Special One. Surely even the most neutral fan might wish to see Wenger celebrate his landmark game by beating Mourinho. But more than that, youd have to be pretty cold-hearted not to enjoy the pandering to your ego. The enjoyment of seeing the fans who had been questioning your management suddenly wanting you to stay. I think Wenger will stay. I think hes as good as told the club that. They are comfortable and little has changed. But if everything goes wrong in the next few weeks, and Arsenal blow the title race in spectacular fashion or blow the FA Cup and the world comes crashing in, then he may still consider leaving. But the lure and mutual attraction of staying at Arsenal will be too much. The Gunners need a trophy, but they also need Wenger. Wenger also deserves the chance to lead the club into a new era of ambition, finance and success. Hes been through enough in the past 10 years, won enough in his first era and entertained enough to prove he is still the right man.
Posted on: Wed, 19 Mar 2014 14:30:53 +0000
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