Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has come under intense scrutiny following the club’s back-to-back defeats.
The Gunners lost 3-1 to Chelsea this weekend, which all but ended their title hopes, but a win away at Stamford Bridge could hardly have been expected.
The loss at home to Watford earlier in the week however was an expected three points, with the Hornets having not won an away match in the league since October, while we had won six and drawn one of our previous seven in all competitions.
This double blow has come while Arsene Wenger has been forced to sit up in the stands, with Steve Bould forced to fill in during his absence, yet those fans who have moved to slam the manager have seemingly overlooked that.
The 67 year-old’s importance on the touchline seems to have been overlooked, although admittedly it will have been his organisation and selection which will have played a part in his side falling two goals down early into the loss to Watford.
Many fans are now calling for him to be sacked, although the majority simply insist that he is not allowed to sign a new contract, but it is not as cut-and-dry as that. Mesut Ozil has already admitted that Wenger’s future is negotiation factor when considering his contract talks, and with the German into the final 18 months of said deal, that is a worry.
There is also the issue with who could possibly replace him, and do better than he has with the budget permitted, with the likes of Diego Simeone and Jurgen Klopp looking unlikely acquisitions come this summer, leaving us with Massimiliano Allegri as favourite, but he has 18 months remaining on his Juventus contract.
Would we have gained more points had Wenger been with the team? Is Wenger getting more stick than he deserves?
Pat J