Coming into his 15th years as manager of Arsenal Football Club, Wenger was the longest serving manager in the club history and also the most successful for the club in terms of trophies. Appointed as Arsenal's manager in 1996 Wenger has won 3 Premier League title and 4 FA Cup Winners medals for the club but 5 trophy less seasons, the good was quickly forgotten. Known for his philosophy of playing good and beautiful football, his ability to nature young talents, buying cheap and selling for a hefty price, the Professor is the kind of manager that most club Chairman wants. And as long as the team is winning trophies, the fans will be happy.
Its been a mix situation at Arsenal this pass couple of weeks, first announcing the club record profit for year ending May 31st before suffering a humiliating defeat to newly promoted West Brom last Saturday. The veering against Arsene didnt start after the defeat, but from 2 to 3 seasons back and its seem to be growing larger with some quarters of the fans already calling for the Manager's head. Patience of the supporters seems to reach the limit with an empty trophy cabinet the past 5 seasons, empty promises with the young players and Wenger delusively backing some of his 'quality players'.
A man who hold tight to his approach and belief in how football should be played. But with his experience, he should know better when to let it go, to put aside his egos, to stop trying to prove that everybody is wrong and put priority straight.... the club itself. For me, that's the main reason some of the Gunner faithful has turn their back on him.
His failure to find a replacement for Vieira and his unwillingness to spend big for a similar hard tackling no nonsense holding midfielder still haunt him till now. What did he do next? Complaining and moaning to the press on how football should be played, how to tackle, how his player needs more protection from referee..sorry Mr Wenger, but i didnt hear that during the Vieira, Keown and Adams days.
His blind support and faith in his two goalkeepers Almunia and Fabianski is also unbelievable, when almost everyone agree that both of them is not good enough to play for Arsenal at least in the starting eleven. He has the chance to get a world class keeper in January last season before Shay Given making the move to Man City. He had a second opportunity to get Given during the start of the season transfer window. Mark Schwarzer putting himself in the transfer list to force a move but the deal falls through due to Wenger didnt want to add a few millions to meet Fulham asking prise. I'm sure he'll regret it after the latest blunder from Almunia and i'm also pretty sure that he wont admit it. Almunia is a great goalkeeper.
A man loss is another man gain. The fans outcry for big names transfers and for Arsenal to start winning trophies again seems unheard. The Chairman and board at Arsenal just kept quite and let Wenger do his things, never the board set target or make known of their ambitions. Never came out and said we want to win the league this season, and we have the money and will backed Wenger to get the player he need. Nope, never heard it. Why should the board to that? They just announced a record profit, free of debt, just move into a new stadium and although not winning trophies, Arsenal consistently qualified for the money spinning Champion League. Good enough for the board, but what are the fans getting from this?
KTBFFH
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