Arsenal sit tenth in the Premier League table after 15 games after one of their worst starts to a Premier League season, is it time for the club to move on from Arsene Wenger?
Wenger has been in charge at Arsenal for 16 years and it’s probably fair to say that he has only lasted so long without a trophy because of his previous successes; going an entire season unbeaten and making the final of the Champions League along with numerous domestic cup triumphs.
However, Arsenal fans have been shouting loud and clear for a long time that they are disgruntled at the current situation the club is in. Being financially secure is one thing but Arsenal look as though they are a million miles off of the Premier League pace so it could be time for the Frenchman to step to one side and let someone else drive the club forward.
The problem that Wenger has created for himself is that in the last few seasons he has asked the fans to be patient and bear with him. They have done just that and the club have not progressed in any way domestically although they continue to fight well in Europe and look destined for the lottery of the knock out stage of the Champions League. He is asking for a little more patience.
Wenger’s contract at Arsenal is up at the end of next season so talks or thoughts of renewal are going to be just around the corner so there is already big pressure on the club over how to handle the situation. The chairman has just had a heart attack so it’s more than likely this matter will get resolved at the end of the season.
The most likely scenario is that if Arsenal get to the end of the current campaign, again without any silverware, Wenger will be given the remaining year of his contract to win something. If it’s more of the same in that final year then don’t expect him to be at the club for the 2014/2015 season because the club would not be blamed for moving on.
Another problem he has created for himself is via the transfer market. Arsenal do not spend the same level of money on players as their rivals and this means they constantly miss out on the best players or fail to reinvest that cash in the team to keep the best players in place.
Ask any Arsenal fan on the street whether they prefer financial strength over the next ten years or a Premier League and Champions League double and they will more than likely take the silverware. The question now is whether Wenger is still the man who can deliver it.
Time for the Professor to step aside? What do you think?
image: © Matt and Kim Rudge
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