Partly in response to an earlier article.
It's not that I were unaware or in denial of Wenger's mistakes/inadequacies, but there is only so much a manager can do. There is a cliche that 'league table does not lie', and there is a certain amount of truth in any cliche. The quality of our squad represents our current level of ambition. That is, to fight for the top4 with Spurs and Everton, and it's the board who have put us in this predicament.
I mean, look at the player sales and contract renewal gaffes. No manager in his right mind would subscribe to losing 1-2 of his best players every year. I no longer pay any attention to the press and rivals wumming us for the trophy drought, because it's not about trophies for the board, rather about making top 4 and getting out of the group in CL. Recent interview by the guy whose name escapes me proves it. Wenger is the right man for the job for them, because he seems to keep believing he can bring the club forward, while his board, at the same time, keep depriving him of resources (players) necessary to achieve that.
Wenger is to blame for persevering with a playing style we can no longer effectively employ due to the dilution of the quality of the squad, for some baffling team selections/substitutions, for keeping faith with players constantly letting him down (ahem, Diaby but not only him), that's true.
What I'm saying is - when discussing the mess we're in, we cannot disregard Kroenke's asset-stripping, which brought us to this in the first place.
Why is it Wenger who's got to save himself?
posted on 14/12/12
A lot of truth in what you say, but I think the problem recently is that the team is not even performing at the level it should. Forget the financial constraints and supposed lack of ambition Wenger has had to work under, the squad and team we have should be able to beat Bradford, Swansea, Norwich etc. or at least perform better than it has. That is where the blame has to be levelled at the manager. The board don't pick the team or the tactics or motivate the players.
posted on 14/12/12
I think the board is to blame first and foremost, but I think Wenger also has to bear some blame for recent performances.
If the fans get too vociferous in their complaints, Kroenke isn't going to walk out on a multi-million dollar investment; instead, Wenger will most likely be scapegoated.
That's why Wenger's under more pressure; no-one can force Kroenke out of the club because he has no superior; whether or not Wenger stays, however, may be out of the Frenchman's control.
The club needs a change, and regardless of whether it's right or wrong, putting pressure on Wenger seems to be some people's only realistic hope of said change.
For the record, I'd like Wenger to stay and receive some proper financial backing for the next few seasons, but sadly, I don't think such support is coming any time soon.
posted on 14/12/12
Were some greece websites reported that Wenger handing in his resignation but the board rejected it?
posted on 14/12/12
* greek
posted on 14/12/12
I don't think Wenger will sign a new deal and in fact I think he might resign at the end of this season.