Don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater by Big Gun
It seems that every time we lose a game, even after having a decent run of wins, we have fans calling for Wenger’s head. I would like to put things into perspective a little here and show just why this type of mentality is wrong. This hatred toward Wenger is based on the presupposition that from 2005 up until now, Arsenal have been unsuccessful. One might only have to look at our trophy cabinet to confirm this…but our trophy cabinet does not speak the whole truth.
Fans like Piers Morgan forget that we built a massive new stadium worth +/- 550 million pounds after additions.
The initial outlay to fund this project took quite a toll on Arsenal’s budget. Everything was affected, including player transfers. Ever asked the question why all of a sudden in the last two years we have seen Arsenal splash out on world class players? The answer is simple, because now we can afford to, whereas before 2011/12, we simply did not have the financial collateral to bring in and afford world class talent as we had other more straining financial commitments. On top of that 90% of our best players left for greener pastures – an almost unforeseen consequence that must have put Wenger and the boardi n quite a jam (I remember how pissed off we all were when Viera, Henry, Cole, Fabregas, RvP etc left). Yet through all this, Piers Morgan and others have the audacity to say that Arsenal were not successful during this major transitional period? Achieving a top 4 spot for 15 consecutive years was an OVERACHIEVEMENT. Considering the types of players we were forced to bring in, whilst United, City, Chelsea and 80% of all the other teams spending almost double to quadruple what we spent, we still made top 4. How is that not an achievement? I will say it again, the only other manager I think capable of doing this would be SAF. No other manager would have the balls to be put into this situation and have to try and find a way out – yet Wenger did so.
Now every time we lose a game, fans unreasonably and unfairly keep bringing up ‘all those years of only making top 4’ where in actual fact they can thank their lucky stars we were not relegated. Saying that Wenger has had over a decade to build a winning squad is absolute horse sh*t because not only did he not have decent funds available, like I mentioned how can you build a world beating squad when every new season you have 3 of your best players gone with newer, inferior players to replace them? Also remember that during this time, when our best players left, other teams like Chelsea, City, United were all strengthening, but yet we still achieved a top four spot. Since 2012, we have gotten rid of the ‘deadwood’ and for the first time in over a decade actually started strengthening our squad and bringing in world class players each transfer window.
Taking the above facts into account, Wenger has really only had 2 years so far to build a decent squad, and I might add he is getting there. Sanchez and Ozil were top buys although I agree Ozil needs to work a bit harder on the pitch, but generally, Wenger is doing what him and Gazidis promised – bringing in top players. Wenger has also started strengthening in our weak areas, we recently bought a top defender in Gabriel who can play not only CB but RB. I am almost certain we will see the likes of either Schneiderlin or Bender join us soon to bolster that DM position. We have all seen what our manager is capable of doing when having decent funds work with, just look at the years before 2003 where he brought some stellar players in and we went on to win 49 unbeaten games, not to mention the League and F.A cup multiple times. (No to mention his keen eye on developing and having faith in players like Henry)
The bottom line is, the board and anyone with any real business sense will know what Wenger has done for this club during his tenure has been nothing short of a miracle. That is why Wenger will never get fired and will see out the end of his contract. In light of what I said above, let us support our manager and watch his master plan unfold now that he has the funds. He created the Invincibles after all, let us have faith in him one last time.
Big Gun