Once upon a time, Arsene Wenger bashing was born out of a grudging admiration of his hugely effective methods and wonderful use of the French transfer market during the first decade of his Arsenal reign.
In time, however, it became more fashionable as Arsenal’s standards dropped after the break up of ‘Les Invincibles’.
Previously little-known signings had often been masterstrokes but too many Pascual Cygans and Marouane Chamakhs rather than Patrick Vieiras and Robert Pires belied a man whose methods everyone else had caught up.
Nowadays, Wenger bashing almost feels like a cheap shot. A man who has clearly done extraordinary things in management has, over the course of 1,000 games in charge of Arsenal, become so intransigent that he cannot see things amateur armchair pundits such as myself can see so clearly.
Saturday’s capitulation to Chelsea was not a one-off. Arsenal have shipped goals to both Liverpool and Manchester City also this season, with an aggregate score of 17-4 away from home to those three.
Score-lines such as the 8-2 at Old Trafford in previous seasons could be put down as a one off but there is a wider pattern that has emerged.
Thousands of column inches have been written about Arsenal’s soft centre, the lack of strength, belief and fight. It is obvious to everyone except, it seems, Monsieur Wenger.
Wenger will no doubt point to Barcelona’s success as an example of slick football and brains outplaying brawn. But for every Andrés Iniesta, Leo Messi and Pedro, there was also a Sergio Busquets, Carles Puyol and Javier Mascherano. Barca are an incredibly streetwise team who can mix it with anyone.
Wenger showed up at Stamford Bridge to face Jose Mourinho, a coach he has never beaten. Arsenal have been shorn of many gifted players lately but his decision to start in central midfield with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Mikel Arteta is typical of Wenger’s stubbornness.
Chelsea are a formidable attacking unit. Their attacking play, filtered through the likes of Oscar and Eden Hazard, has been tough to resist at times. So where was Mathieu Flamini, credited by many for much of Arsenal’s early season success.
As mentioned before, it is not necessarily Wenger’s fault he is shorn of Mesut Ozil, Theo Walcott, Jack Wilshire and Aaron Ramsey, any team would miss four players of that calibre. The reality is however, these four players symbolise Arsenal’s character – pretty to watch, hugely talented when they’re on form but physically frail, hugely unreliable and often even unavailable.
The earlier Barcelona reference indicated Wenger always persists with attacking football and always will do. While he remains so unchecked at the Emirates, that will be his prerogative. Looking at the line-ups though, seeing a Chelsea team with Petr Cech, Branislav Ivanovic, Gary Cahill, John Terry, David Luiz and Nemanja Matic, there is a huge physical disparity on show.
Flamini may not have stemmed the tide single-handedly, but he would certainly have helped avoid such a disastrous first ten minutes.
In the past, Wenger had many physically imposing players. Sol Campbell, Jens Lehmann, Patrick Vieira, Emmanuel Petit were all strong players and presences. The likes of Dennis Bergkamp was not afraid to mix it and the likes of Thierry Henry and Sylvain Wiltord were both wonderful athletes to match their footballing skills.
Much in the way many of Sir Alex Ferguson’s replacements increasingly became sub-standard, Wenger’s transfer policy is much to blame. Wenger rarely deviates from a formula when looking for a player, there is no blend to speak of in the team.
Mesut Ozil was seen as a masterstroke and while he is a very fine player and seemed to inspire those around him at the beginning, any seasoned Real Madrid watcher would tell you he struggled physically over an entire season. Another frail player was not what Arsenal needed.
Despite all the criticism, Arsenal have stayed in touch in the title race this season, which is almost more galling if you are a Gunners fan. While Wenger is not to blame for the injuries per se, he is to blame for not signing players in January to help the title push by bolstering the squad.
One wonders how Arsenal might be looking had they stepped up and signed, for instance, Nemanda Matic in January.
No one is suggesting Arsenal should abandon their attacking principles, but a good football team is about balance. Defending is just as great a skill as attacking.
As an example, Brendan Rodgers has evolved both himself and his Liverpool team to turn them into a far more potent threat. Initially, Rodgers last season too had an obsession with possession and over elaboration. Liverpool’s play, while still attractive, has been far more direct this season and as a result they look the genuine title contenders Arsenal are not.
It is not quite reminiscent of Brian Clough’s last years at Nottingham Forest, but Mourinho’s ‘specialist in failure’ comment looks highly accurate right now. Come February and March, Arsenal simply capitulate against the real contenders.
Arsenal will probably go on to win the FA Cup this season but that will do little to paper over the yawning cracks in Wenger’s team and philosophy.
Chelsea and City will no doubt strengthen this Summer and it is safe to assume Liverpool will kick on from their breakthrough season. It is also tough to believe Manchester United will be anywhere close to as poor again next season. That will leave Arsenal scrabbling around in a fight for fourth place yet again.
Qualifying year after year for the Champions League is an achievement of course, but it is becoming an increasingly mediocre yardstick with which to judge Monsieur Wenger.
Bogga
Guest
Everybody knows what their team is lacking except Wenger. He's got 8-10 attacking midfielders, some better than others, a couple maybe world class (when not injured). One old defensive midfielder and one striker. 3 good players across the back and a rotation of the other full back. That's a good enough squad to beat poor sides by hurling talent against the opposition defence, but when the going gets tough, their team can't cope going the other way. They had to play on the counter against Tottenham. Against the champions of Europe, they're going to get beat every time. With almost zero depth in any of the positions, they're never going to get far in the knockout stages of the Champions League at the business end of the season. Sure, the transfer market is overheated by oil money and big European clubs, but Wenger/Arsenal barely ever rolls the dice even when in dire need. They're playing like they'll be happy with 4th for eternity or until all other clubs fall over.
bill boomer
Guest
Think you're massively underating Guardiola. As I've said elsewhere yes he had the players but their execution enabled him to play how he wanted. Tacticly pep owned jm practically every time. Look at how he has improved BM which is no mean feat given they were already champions of Europe. The world's top man imo. He is still underated though.
Adam3000
Guest
Ramsey until injury was probably ahead of even Suarez and the EPL's form player
Steven McBain
Roar Guru
There was an amazing stat I heard today about Chelsea's results against the other top four teams with and out Mourinho, it's abolute night and day and at Chelsea at least his strongest suit. Strange he couldn't really replicate that by getting the upper hand against Barca (other than one season) in the head to heads whilst he was at Madrid........ Guess Barca just a damn good team.
bill boomer
Guest
In the end that and his failure to beat mouthinho have to be seen as deficiencies and a stain on his career. Though I still think he's done enough.
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
Agree Steven, stats don't always tell the full story. I have never been a fan of Wenger although I respect the man, his philosophy etc. But tbh I had no idea he had such stats until last week. You're right, we remember trophies, lines on resumes etc and for this reason I just didn't think he would have such a record. So that was quite a shock and it did change the way I see him as imo only a 'great' manager could have achieved this over such a long period of time. Then he also help build a very healthy club (financially) and a fantastic football stadium. Some other coach would have begged their president to invest the money in a Ronaldo or a Rooney instead. he didn't and I think just for that he deserves a lot of respect. But yes he does have flaws, no question.
Robbie
Guest
I don't care if they don't win any silverware. I don't support Arsenal so it's not my problem but I love watching them play, they've scored some fantastic team goals this season. It's a pity they can't sustain their early season success, I was looking forward to a team beside Man City or Chelsea winning the EPL this year.
Steven McBain
Roar Guru
Again Nick, I can't argue with any of those stats but I always think stats only tell a part of the story. There is no doubt that Wenger has achieved much but the vast majority of it was some time ago. It's commendable that they keep coming 4th but I don't think that should be the yardstick for him or an institution like Arsenal.......... It's trophies that history remembers. I can't recall how many times I was at Stamford Bridge in the 90s when Chelsea played Arsenal (usually being rolled over by them I might add) and all the Gooners would sing was 'Silverware, no Silverware, you still ain't got no Silverware'. It just feels to me like stubborness has become the overriding factor. He also has so much influence at the club - there are many valid reasons why he should - that everyone becomes aflicted by it. Pretty football isn't everything and there's nothing pretty about being 4-0 down after 20 minutes. All great managers adapt and change and continue to grow, but for me it just feels to me like he's stopped acheiving that. Mind you, I'm only 41 and am already twice as stubborn and cantankerous as I was when I was 21...........
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
Just a few stats given by L'Equipe last week (re Wenger's 1000th match at Arsenal, all comps) - 573 wins - 235 draws - 192 losses I.e. over 18 years at Arsenal, Wenger 'only' loses on average less than 2 games out of 10. In EPL, average pt/game goes from 1,7 in 1997 to 2,37 in 2004, averaging nearly 2pt/game over 18 seasons (i.e similar to a team having DWDWDWD... over 18 years). No doubt is a legend of the game and of Arsenal.
Steven McBain
Roar Guru
Bill, those are all valid points and I wouldn't dispute any of that. What I have been trying to drive at (and maybe went a bit off topic) is that I think he has pursued an ideal of the make up of his team that is ignoring a fundamental part of football which is that physicality (granted less so nowadays that you can barely tackle) and defending are corner stones of the game. In my piece, I referred to the make up of the Arsenal team - leaving out Flamini was my main issue - was just asking for trouble and that he had learned nothing from the Liverpool debacle. I heard an amazing statistic just now on the Times podcast. When the teams were announced prior to kick off. There was a HUGE (30pct) swing in the betting towards Chelsea, almost instantaneous. It was that obvious to the betting community that he had picked the wrong team. I accept everything that Wenger has done in the past and brought to Arsenal but having your teams being 3 or 4 nil down inside 20 minutes twice in a few weeks means there is something fundamentally wrong with what you are doing...........
bill boomer
Guest
Wenger has been an EPL manager for going on two decades, he has built great teams and won glorious victories. He has not just restructured the team but played part in restructuring the club, seeing them stable in a new stadium and providing a sound foundation for the future. During all of that he maintained champions league and stayed competative in the EPL. I think his legacy is assured.
Steven McBain
Roar Guru
Thanks Hamish. I think judging by the comments I'd possibly got a bit off topic with regard to the wider issue of the Arsenal finances. However I just agree with you entirely that a couple of strong presences in midfield would do nothing but help them. I know Matic wasn't cheap but with the January window open and Arsenal in a great position, even one addition of that type would have helped. Even someone like the De Jong that Manchester City sold last season would have helped. There needs to be a balance. All the top teams have at least one of that type of player with the discipline to sit in, makes tackles and break up play. I just couldn't believe Flamini didn't play on Saturday, that type of game where you will have to battle for possession is just made for him.
Steven McBain
Roar Guru
All fair points Brian. I guess it's symptomatic of the CL era also where treading top water in the top four isn't seen as any kind of failure. They're probably looking at what happened to Liverpool after they dropped out. Taken them a while to come back. I guess what we'll have to see play out on the wider stage is what happens over the next few seasons. Whether FFP really bites and UEFA actually do kick teams out as many are surely not going to comply. If there's a way around FFP then we carry on but if not, might be happy times at the Emirates again soon.........
Brian
Guest
I get your point but I think its not that they're not learning its that they don't have the budget of the others. Since 2004 only Man U, Man C & Chelsea have won. Arsenal are simply in the same boat of all the others in not having money to compete. Wenger just getting to March every year whilst the others don't make it that far. Unless he could spend like the others and so keep Clichy, Fabregas, Van Persie, Nasri, Adebayor, how can he win? Liverpool are only progressing because of the mid-table they came from. If Wenger had come 8th last year he would be in Liverpool's shoes right now.
Steven McBain
Roar Guru
Cheers for the feedback and reading the article Bondy.
Steven McBain
Roar Guru
Brian, I would say it's a failure because he's not progressing. Liverpool for instance have an even smaller budget yet they have taken great strides. It's not purely about how much money is spent but also how it is spent. Arsenal have the same fallibilites season after season and is why they always trip up in February and March. Surely making the same mistake year in year and not learing from it is a form of failure?
Steven McBain
Roar Guru
Roary, cheers for taking the time to read the article. I think the wider issue regarding the Emirates and Arsenal's approach versus 'dropped in' money via Russia or the Middle East is hugely valid. Arsenal should be commended for this. I think however, regardless of FFP, clubs nowadays will always find a way to receive injections of cash and that is a reality of the modern game. My beef with Wenger is not so much about how much money he has spent but how he has spent it. I just find Arsenal hopelessly imbalanced and unable to 'scrap' and sometimes in football that's what you need to be able to do.
Brian
Guest
How can it be a failure if year after year you are coming higher then where you budget says you should. Wenger doesn't have Chelsea or Man Cty's budget. If he did and failed fair enough but how can he win a title paying peanuts in comparision. Fact is the last one to win one was....him in 2004. Fact is Liverpool and Spurs have gone around for years out spending him and not making the Champs League. You mentioned Liverpool. Well with probably better resources they're having their best season in recent memory and they are just 3 points ahead of him and that's with them spending Wednesday nights training whilst Arsenal played in Naples and Munich. There's no magic wand. With the money Arsenal have spent over the last 10 years its been similar to Liverpool, Spurs, Everton & Newcastle. The fact they have done better over that time then any of those is Wenger's genius in picking out talent. Those other clubs spend like Wenger and hope against all hope they will end up in the top 4 and with the FA Cup.
Steven McBain
Roar Guru
Gavin, thanks for taking the time to read the article. I must admit I've read it back a few times and elements of it do seem harsh possibly yes. I think the wider issue of Arsenal, the Emirates and FFP will play out over time and there is no doubt they are in fine shape. I do think however that there are huge elements of Wenger's decision process in recent years which is hard to put down to his being myopic given what the guy has achieved so to me can only be stubborness. Putting some grit into the Arsenal team would not have made them a lesser team, merely a more competitive one. The likes of Keown and Adams were not wonderful wonderful footballers but Arsenal were better for them. I just find it staggering that Flamini was not on the pitch on Saturday. I've read so much about Arsenal making progress this season but the reality is they've been hammered 3 times by the other top teams and are heading for 4th place yet again. I'm actually annoyed FOR the Arsenal fans because I think they're so close to clicking but this total obsession with geting a bit of brawn in is hindering them badly, they get bullied or out 'streetsmarted' (dreadful English sorry but can't think of a better phrase) all the time at this stage of the season.
Roary
Guest
Its quite sad that even some purported Arsenal fans clearly don't properly understand the main determinent and driving force involved and that is the finances involved. The main reason why Arsenal have failed to win silverware in the past 7 or so years is that they have charted a financially responsible course in the difficult decision to leave Highbury and build the Emirates stadium which now is packed to capacity at 60,000 plus every game. Instead of trying to match the Arab Oil sheik billionaires at Money City or the Russian billionaire Abramovich at Chelski or plunge the club into massive debt as others of the top echelon of the EPL have done, Arsenal is probably the only club that is and has been ready for the implementation of the financial fair play rules. To me as an avid Gunners member, I am glad that Arsenal have taken this route because I know that the wheel will turn and our prudent financial position will bring long term rewards - a dynasty is not built overnight or even in a decade. We can make comparisons all we like of the current roster with the very best players that Arsenal have ever had, and with those stars of other clubs such as Messi etc, however, trying to buy silverware at any cost will not in the long term be a wise investment. Its easy to give a kicking after a result such as last weekends and yes we have been shipping goals, and I am sure Arsene will make changes, however its just not possible for any club to fill their roster with the likes of Ronaldo, Messi, Ribery etc. Our time will come and if its the FA cup this year, then I for one, will be happy with that.