Over the last few days I've seen a lot of Arsenal fans overreact. It is understandable. The start to this season has been, well...underwhelming, to say the least. Bar a couple of games we haven't really been able to show anything approaching good form. We very obviously lack last year's defensive solidity and even a remarkably in-form Sanchez and all his goals haven't been able to make up for our defensive shortcomings. Our less-than-persuasive efforts have cost us a lot of points already and can cost more still if we don't find some rhyme or rhythm to our game. And we should do so quickly.
However, there are very few voices of reason among our fans. Most seem to think a simple solution to our problem exists, like sacking the manager or adding a few more bodies to our squad. I'm not sure THERE IS a serious problem to start with, but I'll get back to that in a bit.
Let's try and analyse the prevailing point of view first. For a quite obvious reason we cannot buy anyone right now: the transfer window is closed. However, would a couple of players solve the problem immediately? It's hard to know what can happen, of course. Sanchez and Cazorla have both bedded in instantly, but Ozil, for example, is still adapting. And remember how atrocious Koscielny and Mertesacker were in their respective first seasons? And now they are first-choice centre-backs, having formed a formidable partnership. So there's no guarantee that a couple of new faces will hit the ground running, however world-class they are. There's also the problem of trying to glue together a lot of new players. We already have Sanchez, Welbeck, Debuchy, Chambers and (to an extent) Ozil. Three of these four start when fit and they haven't played together an awful lot to begin with. And now think we add another midfielder and a centre-back to the mix. That means five new faces in one squad. Imagine how Mertesacker will feel playing with Debuchy and, say, Hummels either side of him. All three are, without doubt, pure quality (two of them are reigning champions, for God's sake), but don't you think it's too much for Mert to handle? If we add a DM we all want so badly on top, Mert will have to coordinate three new faces.
As for sacking Arsene, it can have an infinitely more detrimental effect on our squad. Just like the players, a new manager will need time to know how things are done. He'll also have to make do with the same group of players, at least till January. And serious squad overhaul is unlikely even then, because a) our transfer budget is not a bottomless pit b) very few quality players will be available mid-season. And fewer still will be an upgrade on the existing ones.
All this talk about a new manager is based on the assumption that there are available pros on the market. Not just pros, again, guys better than Wenger. Now, whatever you think of the man, he's among the very best managers in the world. Even the most brainless pundits won't deny that. And all managers worthy of their high status are settled, under contract from other big clubs and are just as unlikely to want to change places in mid-season. And do you want to see a less-proven manager at our helm? Martinez, Rodgers (ha), Clement?
There is one more thing to take into account before we buy anti-Wenger banners and go to the Emirates waving them: there's no guarantee that even a world-class manager will bring about instant success. Look at van Gaal and all the money he's wasted. Look at how Pellegrini is losing control of the situation. Look at how fabled Martinez, Rodgers and even Klopp underperform and ask yourself a simple question, hand on heart: do you really want to put the fate of our Club in the hands of a mercenary, however classy he is? Would you rather swap a guy who's totally devoted to this Club for an unknown and maybe even (God forbid) unproven quantity?
That's why I think we should look at the situation differently. In a very insightful article I've read over on Positively Arsenal the writer expresses an opinion (which, needless to say, I find not only possible, but also quite probable) that the current Arsenal is a transitional Arsenal. An Arsenal, which is in the process of changing mentality from viewing fourth as a trophy to challenging for major honours.
The writer likens this team to a golf player, for whom the process of getting from 16 to 12 strikes is easy, from 12 to 8 harder, from 8 to 4 is doable, getting it under 4 strikes is extremely hard. This last step requires a complete change of approach and, before the results get better, they get worse. Some slip back into the familiarity of their 4 shots and return to their initial approach. These will only challenge for honours, but will eventually fall short every time. Does this ring a bell?
From what it looks, we are pursuing another scenario. We want to really have a go at trophies, not just challenge and fall short again. And this, as I've just illustrated, requires a new strategy. A 4-1-4-1, Sanchez in the middle, Ozil on the left, this can all be a part of the plan. Arsene's plan.
There was a phrase I didn't pay much attention to at the time I heard it. Before the Cup final last year, Arsene was asked what his goals for the next three seasons were. The answer was predictable, yet, coming from Arsene it didn't sound like talk for the sake of talking. It sounded like a promise. What did he answer? "I want to win the Champions League and the League Title."
So I'm going to take sides with Geoff, PositivelyArsenal and TheArsenalHorse and I'll do this for two reasons. First: these guys, unlike moaners that have crawled out of their holes, have valid arguments to support their theories. Two: I'd rather be upbeat for the next three years and be dissappointed in the end than have it the other way around. Being optimistic by default just makes your life so much easier.
I'm also going to take a last stand with Arsene Wenger. I believe that he really does have a plan, a project and that he, as a man of his word, can deliver on his promise. I'm going to give Arsene the time he deserves to put his plan into action. If, in two-and-a-half years we'll still be fighting for fourth without these two trophies to show for it, I'll admit I was wrong. I'll admit Arsene Wenger was wrong and that his time is up, that he should step aside and give the chance to someone else. If, however, he delivers on his promise and retires with the dignity he deserves a lot of people, like Piers Morgan, will look very stupid indeed.
Until 2017 I'll back Arsene to the hilt. And I think all our fans should do the same. It'll be much easier for Arsene to implement his plan with at least the support of those, for whom this Club means something more than just a Club. Those who really care for Arsenal.
I hope that when 2016-2017 season is over, we'll get to say "Pity, that there's only one Arsene Wenger".
Until later
Follow me on Twitter (@AlexBaguzin)
However, there are very few voices of reason among our fans. Most seem to think a simple solution to our problem exists, like sacking the manager or adding a few more bodies to our squad. I'm not sure THERE IS a serious problem to start with, but I'll get back to that in a bit.
Let's try and analyse the prevailing point of view first. For a quite obvious reason we cannot buy anyone right now: the transfer window is closed. However, would a couple of players solve the problem immediately? It's hard to know what can happen, of course. Sanchez and Cazorla have both bedded in instantly, but Ozil, for example, is still adapting. And remember how atrocious Koscielny and Mertesacker were in their respective first seasons? And now they are first-choice centre-backs, having formed a formidable partnership. So there's no guarantee that a couple of new faces will hit the ground running, however world-class they are. There's also the problem of trying to glue together a lot of new players. We already have Sanchez, Welbeck, Debuchy, Chambers and (to an extent) Ozil. Three of these four start when fit and they haven't played together an awful lot to begin with. And now think we add another midfielder and a centre-back to the mix. That means five new faces in one squad. Imagine how Mertesacker will feel playing with Debuchy and, say, Hummels either side of him. All three are, without doubt, pure quality (two of them are reigning champions, for God's sake), but don't you think it's too much for Mert to handle? If we add a DM we all want so badly on top, Mert will have to coordinate three new faces.
As for sacking Arsene, it can have an infinitely more detrimental effect on our squad. Just like the players, a new manager will need time to know how things are done. He'll also have to make do with the same group of players, at least till January. And serious squad overhaul is unlikely even then, because a) our transfer budget is not a bottomless pit b) very few quality players will be available mid-season. And fewer still will be an upgrade on the existing ones.
All this talk about a new manager is based on the assumption that there are available pros on the market. Not just pros, again, guys better than Wenger. Now, whatever you think of the man, he's among the very best managers in the world. Even the most brainless pundits won't deny that. And all managers worthy of their high status are settled, under contract from other big clubs and are just as unlikely to want to change places in mid-season. And do you want to see a less-proven manager at our helm? Martinez, Rodgers (ha), Clement?
There is one more thing to take into account before we buy anti-Wenger banners and go to the Emirates waving them: there's no guarantee that even a world-class manager will bring about instant success. Look at van Gaal and all the money he's wasted. Look at how Pellegrini is losing control of the situation. Look at how fabled Martinez, Rodgers and even Klopp underperform and ask yourself a simple question, hand on heart: do you really want to put the fate of our Club in the hands of a mercenary, however classy he is? Would you rather swap a guy who's totally devoted to this Club for an unknown and maybe even (God forbid) unproven quantity?
That's why I think we should look at the situation differently. In a very insightful article I've read over on Positively Arsenal the writer expresses an opinion (which, needless to say, I find not only possible, but also quite probable) that the current Arsenal is a transitional Arsenal. An Arsenal, which is in the process of changing mentality from viewing fourth as a trophy to challenging for major honours.
The writer likens this team to a golf player, for whom the process of getting from 16 to 12 strikes is easy, from 12 to 8 harder, from 8 to 4 is doable, getting it under 4 strikes is extremely hard. This last step requires a complete change of approach and, before the results get better, they get worse. Some slip back into the familiarity of their 4 shots and return to their initial approach. These will only challenge for honours, but will eventually fall short every time. Does this ring a bell?
From what it looks, we are pursuing another scenario. We want to really have a go at trophies, not just challenge and fall short again. And this, as I've just illustrated, requires a new strategy. A 4-1-4-1, Sanchez in the middle, Ozil on the left, this can all be a part of the plan. Arsene's plan.
There was a phrase I didn't pay much attention to at the time I heard it. Before the Cup final last year, Arsene was asked what his goals for the next three seasons were. The answer was predictable, yet, coming from Arsene it didn't sound like talk for the sake of talking. It sounded like a promise. What did he answer? "I want to win the Champions League and the League Title."
So I'm going to take sides with Geoff, PositivelyArsenal and TheArsenalHorse and I'll do this for two reasons. First: these guys, unlike moaners that have crawled out of their holes, have valid arguments to support their theories. Two: I'd rather be upbeat for the next three years and be dissappointed in the end than have it the other way around. Being optimistic by default just makes your life so much easier.
I'm also going to take a last stand with Arsene Wenger. I believe that he really does have a plan, a project and that he, as a man of his word, can deliver on his promise. I'm going to give Arsene the time he deserves to put his plan into action. If, in two-and-a-half years we'll still be fighting for fourth without these two trophies to show for it, I'll admit I was wrong. I'll admit Arsene Wenger was wrong and that his time is up, that he should step aside and give the chance to someone else. If, however, he delivers on his promise and retires with the dignity he deserves a lot of people, like Piers Morgan, will look very stupid indeed.
Until 2017 I'll back Arsene to the hilt. And I think all our fans should do the same. It'll be much easier for Arsene to implement his plan with at least the support of those, for whom this Club means something more than just a Club. Those who really care for Arsenal.
I hope that when 2016-2017 season is over, we'll get to say "Pity, that there's only one Arsene Wenger".
Until later
Follow me on Twitter (@AlexBaguzin)
