Mark Lawrenson told Football Focus that Arsenal ‘haven’t been the same’ since David Dein left the club in 2007.
A man who served Arsenal for over two decades, Dein was the brains behind the operations at Highbury and the man who brought Arsene Wenger to the club.
At the time, in 1997, Wenger was an unknown figure, but his arrival at the club took Arsenal to another level.
But since Dein’s departure in 2007, Wenger was never the same as he had to deal with saving the pounds, following their move into the Emirates, rather than progressing the club on the pitch.
“That club hasn’t been the same since Arsene Wenger left and guess who? David Dein,” said Lawrenson.
“They have lost their identity basically.”
The problem lies at the top with owners who have no care for Arsenal and have the interests of their back pockets and their back pockets only.
Whilst Wenger was heavily criticised during the latter years at Arsenal, and his stubbornness, one thing is for sure, he had Arsenal and their interests at heart.
Whereas someone like Dein had the interest of the club from the boardroom, something which is seriously lacking now.
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