I think Arsene is probably the only one who's got a check on the reality of the situation. Fans like to think they know what to do, but they only understand a small part of the equation. It's clear we have problems that need addressing. Both Wenger and Gazidis have openly commented on them. I'm certain that Wenger is doing everything he can to address them. A knee jerk reaction now would be the worst thing we could do for our club.
A knee jerk is when a decision such as the one we are discussing is made after two months of a downward spiral. We are not talking about two months but six. I'll wager you that almost any other manager would have had to leave their post by now and to that I will add to that the majority of supporters have stood by Arsene and his methods. None of us I'm certain advocate the irresponsible and insane calls of some who were at the match last evening who called for Wenger's head, certainly not at a match anyway. However blind faith and never ending support of a man who insists on his way while all around him crumbles is surely no road to success for a club. While there have been reasons for the departure of Cesc and Nasri that we have all but exhausted by discussion here, it is interesting to note that not only are these two players performing at a higher level than when they were here, even Gael Clichy and Armand Traore are supposedly doing well. If Arsene's grand plan is so wonderful how is it that the supportive framework which would have allowed their talents to flourish could not be found here and after trophyless years of supposed fine-tuning? If our form had been restored that would have been one thing. Instead it is in a freefall, a downward trend.
I think you're buying into the catastrophizing that's surrounding our club. Like I said, we have problems that need addressing. I believe that Wenger is doing all he can to address them. I don't see how sacking the manager at this stage would solve them It would simply plunge us into a crisis.
I can understand people wanting Wenger to go but is there anyone available who would certainly do a better job? Over 14 years he's delivered numerous trophies and is really a victim of his own success in that those who have jumped on the bandwagon during his time at the club see Arsenal as a club that should be constantly winning trophies when, historically, they're a top half club with spells of great success- some might say over-achievement. 14 more years of being in and around the top 4 would be a superb effort. A few years out of the Champions League might cause a few of the gloryhunters to finally piss off and the more realistic amongst your good selves to appreciate your fine club.
In Wenger we have one of the best Manager's in the world. Had we not had him at Arsenal, then maybe we wouldn't have achieved so much over the last 14 years and perhaps the expectation wouldn't be so high. And our current situation might just be viewed as the norm. People need to realise that the same person that they are calling for to be sacked, is the same person that took this club from being average, to being spectacular. It's harder to compete today than it ever has been before. The landscape around Wenger has changed. But the man himself hasn't. He is still the best man for the job.
Who could take over and do a better job? Well, Martin O'Neill for one and he's available or at least not on contract. Gus Hiddink is another and he has a very fine record. However he is currently managing Turkey and from what I have read, he is a man of integrity and thus may not relinquish that position. Arsene delivered trophies with the help of the team he had taken over in his early years. Then he did build on what he found and gave us yet more reason to celebrate. All this ended 6 years ago. Seven, if you count this season in respect of which I expect you'll agree that there is no evidence of anything special in the offing. We may have managed to finish within the Top 4 of the EPL but these days that seems to have taken place of a trophy. How far have our expectations fallen!! I take nothing away from Arsene Mr Watford. Many an occasion have I been amongst the first to declare of his successes. However our team has been steadily dismantled in favour of the youth policy in which all if not most of us placed high hopes. Having lost our way following the injury to Eduardo at Birmingham in March 2008, I thought we did make good starts in the next three seasons and looked in with a shout at the title in February of each of those years. However the end of February or early March would appear to be when the team runs out of steam. So I ask this - what team with high aspirations gives up the fight by March of every year? Something is not right if by then, our season folds and all we have left is fourth place or third at best. We were fortunate especially in the last season given the level of quality of the opposition for fourth place since our season all but collapsed after the Carling Cup Final with a manager seemingly unable to do anything about our performance, character, spirit or fortunes. I am not advocating new pastures for Arsene. What I am saying is that he should consider that his reputation and legacy may be not as he intended if this trend continues. Thus the ball is firmly in his court.
SupaMcGooner - the statement is : Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis told BBC Sport on Tuesday that sacking Wenger was not an option they wished to pursue.
So, answer this - would you like Wenger to stay for another 14 years if it would guarantee another 14 CL seasons?
Stupid question - hypothetical. But its pretty obvious I would. Will you guarantee it? The odds are against us this season.
please log in to view this image Okay.... But the gist of this fred is that because we won last night "AW thinks this entitles him to stay for another 14 years" Which is sumfink he clearly never said so I agree with Piskie this fred is pointless & boring Or perhaps you meant to say Piskie in the first place please log in to view this image
I'm not sure O'Neill would necessarily do that well. He has had some success with smaller clubs but nothing incredible in this country. If anything his Villa teams showed the same propensity to start well and fade as this Arsenal side. Hiddink would be ideal imo but I think he may consider Arsenal not a big enough job given his age and that I believe he's turned Chelsea down in the recent past. Arsenal are probably no longer an attractive proposition for a real stellar name such as Mourinho but, were you to 'take a punt' I'd go for Owen Coyle for, with his footballing philosophy, I think he'd do very well with more talented players. The way I see it, there are four competitions Arsenal can possibly win. The league is almost a glass ceiling nowadays as, were Arsenal to be a real threat, at least one of City, United or Chelsea could spend a few squillion and pull further away. The Champions League is more plausible given, on their day, Arsenal can still beat anyone imo, but, again, there are teams with vastly superior resources. The FA and League cups, therefore, are your best bet and were it not for some ridiculous defending, something no manager can control, you'd have probably won one of those last year and will always be there or thereabouts in both competitions with or without Wenger. With Wenger you are guaranteed top 6 right now and are likely to make top 4 (I agree it's stupid that people equate fourth with a cup but that's where the money and power is, sadly. Personally I'd give the fourth CL spot to the FA cup winner) with a young side that should improve. Without Wenger, I still don't see the glass ceiling disappearing so better the devil you know, imho.
