Long gone are the glory days of Arsenal in the late 90s and early 2000s. In that time, Gunners fans were spoiled with eight major trophies.
Nine years later, the architect of those successes has become the villain.
Arsene Wenger has single-handedly changed the perception of this once great club. Before the arrivals of Chelsea and Manchester City, Arsenal was considered a serious rival for the title.
Not anymore.
Arsenal has become a club that has settled four fourth spot as their new prize. A few seasons back players celebrated when they finished fourth – not something you would have seen from the Arsenal of old.
It says much about a manager whose greatest accomplishment of the last decade is the transfer to a new stadium.
In life many things become outdated, it’s natural – and Wenger’s time has simply past.
But will he be shown the door? No. Wenger will keep his job until he pleases.
Fourth has become the new first in North London and due to that despicable goal, Wenger will always remain safe from the exit door.
They clearly do not have the ability to compete for the Premier League title. Does this mean that Arsenal is simply happy to qualify for the Champions League at season’s end?
It’s a sentiment shared by many Gunners fans that have lost patience with their once great manager.
Understandably after 18 years at the helm, Arsenal’s board would be reluctant to make any drastic moves – especially after what’s happened recently with Manchester United.
Through his tenure, Wenger has proven he is good at one thing – his ability to maintain order with the club’s finances.
Due to their loyal fans who pay the highest figure for tickets in the competition they remain one of very few clubs who are not in financial debt. But these fans have a dream – the very reason why they invest their hard-earned cash is for the thought of one day competing for the biggest prize.
But for Arsene Wenger, fourth is first.
Quite simply Arsenal is run like a business, not like a football club.
So is Wenger the only person to blame?
Many will have their issue on Roman Abramovich and Sheikh Mansour on how they conduct their business. These owners either had, or developed, a passion for the game which has led them to many questionable decisions in the past – but the common thing is they stop at nothing to win trophies.
On the other hand, Stan Kroenke who owns Arsenal is an entrepreneur who owns a total of six professional sports teams.
As a business person, one would look at Arsenal’s finances as a rarity in world football. A club that is different to most clubs, a club that is self-sustainable. To his credit the major reason for the club’s healthy financial status is indeed Arsene Wenger.
So, unfortunately for Gunners fans, Wenger keeps his job due to his ability to generate revenue consistently.
But is he a Chief Financial Officer or is he a football manager?
Let’s face it, a nine-year trophy drought wouldn’t fly at any other top club. But even if the Gunners finished outside the top four by season’s end you can bet your house Wenger remains at the Emirates.
Why? Again because Arsenal is run like a business.
Back to on-field matters, Wenger’s tactics which was great at one point is outdated. The thought of playing beautiful football has become the main priority for Wenger even if it meant losing.
His stubbornness to maintain balance in his squad and opting to play attack-minded players has lead to trophy droughts.
It seems no one out there that wants to win trophies more than Wenger – the stipulation is he wins it his way.
Humility is something he doesn’t accept and Arsenal fans are the ones suffering for it.
It seems most fans or pundits alike know exactly what is wrong with Arsenal.
It is demonstrated every time they take the field, what’s baffling is a man with a high football IQ is unable to see it himself.
Is it because he does not want to be told what to do? Who knows?
The mismanagement of stars such as Mesut Ozil proves that he simply does not have the right mindset to take this club forward. He single-handedly turned Ozil from becoming arguably the best creative midfielder in the world to a point of irrelevancy.
Wenger needs to re-invent himself or get out. Unfortunately for Arsenal he is too far into his career for him to change his ways.
So Gunners fans, sorry but fourth is first.
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