Arsene Wenger has been at Arsenal since 1996 and written his name in club history for all the right reasons. But the summer and the season ahead could define the latter years of his reign…
While a renowned name in football coaching circles and abroad, when Arsene Wenger was chosen by Arsenal to take over from Bruce Rioch as manager he was a relative unheard of for fans of the Premier League.
By May 1998 he had made sure his name was one heard around the world, leading Arsenal to the second domestic double in their history, usurping a previously dominant Manchester United at the top of the Premier League.
His techniques were described as revolutionary in the way he modernised the Arsenal dressing room from a culture which needed an overhaul, and the free flowing football on the pitch transformed the team into the league’s entertainers, a far cry from the days of ‘boring boring Arsenal’.
The club’s third double – and Wenger’s second, followed four years later, before the unbelievable feat of going through a whole 38-game Premier League season unbeaten in 2003-04, which saw his side dubbed the ‘Invincibles’.
An FA Cup win followed a year later in 2005, and then… nothing.
This May marked the seventh anniversary of Arsenal’s last trophy win, and fans are getting increasingly restless. Of the Immortals side, there are no remaining survivors left wearing Arsenal red and white.
The intervening years have seen the Gunners move to a new stadium, The Emirates, a fine one at that, but one which will never really feel completely like home until it can say it has been home to a successful Arsenal team.
Star players have come and gone, captains moved on, and the club has evolved with it. The credit to Wenger is that he has kept the club ticking over, and if they haven’t moved forward since 2005, then they have at least stood still.
For all the prophecies of Arsenal’s decline over the past few years, Wenger has proved a master at cajoling and managing his group of players into finishing in the Premier League top four, and assuring Champions League qualification.
In May their 3-2 win at West Brom ensured their place in Europe’s elite for the 15th season in a row. It says everything about the success of the Gunners compared to their North London rivals, that recently departed bit-part player Carlos Vela has more Champions League appearances to his name than Tottenham Hotspur.
The problem approaching Arsene Wenger right now, is that finishing in the Champions League spots each season, but not achieving more, is fast becoming unsatisfactory for supporters – if not already.
The success of Wenger’s first eight years at the club has granted him time and patience during his latter barren seven, and just as he really needs to kick on and prove his critics wrong, the fates are conspiring against him.
The third best team in the league last season, they finished 19 points behind eventual champions Manchester City. A similar swing the other way would have seen them finish in 10th.
Last season’s two star players, Robin van Persie and Theo Walcott are dallying over their futures, both with one year remaining on their contracts. If either left they would be replaced, but it would mean another season of transition when what they need is continuity.
Wenger has spoken of his frustration at events, yet once a club gets labelled a selling club it becomes more and more difficult to stem the tide of players wanting out, especially when they are not winning trophies, and so the reset button gets pressed on the club’s development each season.
If Van Persie does end up quitting the club, then Wenger will be sympathised with, having another key part of his jigsaw evaporate. It will severely damage his chances of winning silverware next season, and if he ends up with a Manchester club then they will pull even further away.
Two quality additions have been bought in Podolski and Giroud, who have both been unfairly criticised without even kicking a ball for their new club, and Wenger will carry on the transition regardless.
But even if Van Persie does complete a U-turn and decide to stay at the club, Wenger’s life will not be easy. He will still be tasked with making up that gaping 19 point gap in the Premier League, and if he does not get closer, he will be out of excuses.
The backdrop to the life of the Arsenal manager is getting more and more complicated by the day – with shareholder disputes and criticism of chief executive Ivan Gazidis, while the man at the helm Stan Kroenke remains silent, but one target remains crystal clear; win silverware. The league may be beyond them, but there is no reason why a domestic cup should be.
Both Chelsea and Liverpool lifted trophies last season, who finished 6th and 8th in the league respectively, despite their own fair share of difficulties.
A big season is required from players and manager, and with Pep Guardiola available, if we are talking about an eighth trophyless year for Arsenal next summer, fans minds may begin at least, to realistically turn away from the players and towards evolving the management side of the club’s affairs – And that is an event Wenger will be keen to avoid.
A big season for Arsenal, how do you see it panning out? Will the pressure increase if Van Persie stays?
image: © Ronnie Macdonald
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