Wenger.
The man on every lover of football’s lips? Debatable. The man on every Arsenal lover’s lips? Unsure. The man under undeserved criticism? Without doubt.
Wenger, alongside Ferguson, has revolutionised the way we see, play and even analyse the game. Although not seen in the flesh is undoubtedly one of the most wild and fiery passions you’ll ever see. He hates to see Arsenal lose, or even draw and usually blames himself, selflessly in that case.
He is the man who is to blame, for the transition of ‘love for football’ to ‘desire for football’, seen through the eyes of many in the world of sport. He brings an ethical and philosophical touch to the game and is a keen admirer himself. It sometimes, for him, is a psychological mind game.
“If you do not believe you can do it then you have no chance at all.”
“I believe the target of anything in life should be to do it so well that it becomes an art.”
Wenger has many honors to his name. 3 Premier leagues, 5 FA Cup’s and 5 not-so-prestigious Community Shields. Obviously, we face Villa in the 2015 FA Cup final which could make him the most successful manager in FA Cup history, passing Ferguson from level on 5.
He also takes many individual awards such as 3 Premier League Manager of the Seasons and several French Manager of the Seasons, without any recent triumph.
Wenger has so much nurtured the players who he believes in, in the elder generations like at the start of his managerial career, and also the current generations. Fabregas is a prime example of this and still emulates which Arsene taught him to this day, forget Mourinho. Now, the Cesc subject is still a little sour to me and most of the Arsenal fans who appreciated him as an player and captain at our club. Whether we like it or not, Cesc brought us through that transition from the Invincibles to now, which had the potentaial of a negative spiral of decline. At just 15 he was released in to the first team squad, watching the likes of Vieira, Pires and Bergkamp on the sidelines, it must have been a dream. And this is now why he, as professional football player has grown to excel in a Premiership winning side.
Which brings me on to the touchy and controversial subject on when Wenger should leave, and who will replace him. Never have I said I want him sacked or for him to quit and move on. No. I think getting rid of him will 1. be a mistake and 2. mean that another club can use him and grow successful, without doubt. I strongly agree that he should respectfully retire when he feels he cannot add anything else to the club. He will know.
Like Ferguson, I’d love for him to win us the league once or twice and then retire an go to the executive ranks, but realistically we’re not at that stage, and I’m starting to lose belief that all we need is ‘a few more world class signings’. They said that before Özil and before Sanchez and are still saying it to this day.
Replacement: Guardiola? Klopp? Martinez? Bould? Henry?
Guardiola is way too optimistic, not out of our range but realistically, we’ll never be able to fund him nor lure him to us. I hope I eat my words.
Klopp knows our philosophy and will add to it, that’s huge to have.
I think Martinez isn’t much of a replacement to Wenger, I’d rather keep Wenger in his ageing years.
Bould would be good. Bould is Arsenal through and through but does he have the personality or knack to be a top level manager? I’m not persuaded.
Henry is ideal but not yet. He, like Bould and perhaps Klopp knows the philosophies of the club. He also loves the club and every single Arsenal fan, know him and loves him. It’s too early, but the only thing I worry about with him is failure. Like Shearer and Newcastle, I can’t imagine us falling out of love for the man, but what if?
Bergkamp
See i have made ‘replacement‘ bold throughout, the question lies.. can we replace Wenger, or just fill the gap?
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