If Arsenal fans want change you have to force it…. by Neil
I hold my hands up in admitting that I genuinely believed Wenger would evaluate his failings as our manager in recent times and bow out gracefully at the end of this season, making way for his successor. I even went as far as to defend him, asking for people to show him respect and allow him yo make that decision without being hounded out……
At the weekend, having beaten non league Lincoln City, I read he would ‘ideally’ prefer to stay at Arsenal than move. ‘Ideally’ I’d prefer to take Sienna Miller to bed than my missus but…..
I think its fair to say the Wenger Out support is far greater than those wanting him to stay and yet it appears the board know a change of manager will be a costly affair: an incoming manager of any calibre will probably ask for 100 million to spend, which will mean dipping deep into their coffers to oblige. It means they will do everything to avoid it. On that basis there is only one way Arsenal fans will get what they want: An organised demonstration requesting Wenger to step down.
Timing is pretty crucial and should allow maximum time for the board to act and bring in a suitable replacement before the transfer window opens, so the new manager has sufficient time to get rid of some players and bring in others.
I would say, given our current form we will struggle to beat City…it’s not impossible, its just unlikely. Should we lose that semi final at Wembley, and we’ve not recovered a top four position, the next available date should be chosen.
It will require 5-10 thousand fans to turn up in order for the protest to be acknowledged by the club but more importantly the media. A protest of that size would make national news and have the desired affect of forcing a resignation. It shouldn’t be derogatory, it should be completely respectful: no burning effigies, no banners with offensive comments. Just plain and simple and along the lines of.. ‘WENGER PLEASE SHOW HUMILITY AND RESIGN’….. Someone suggested a demonstration where fans leave on the 80th minute of a game. This would also work but I think you’re dealing with trying to make an visual impact against 60 thousand people and there’s the distinct possibility insufficient fans will join in.
Once a date is chosen its a relatively straight forward exercise to inform Sky News, BT and press that an organised demonstration is taking place. Once it has national sports news status it then puts the board and Wenger directly under the spotlight, and it then makes the outcome of him resigning or the board not renewing his contract a reality.
What we do not want is for neutrals to think Arsenal fans are unreasonable people or thugs. We have had to accept humiliation of recent years and I have to say I now fully appreciate the anger and frustration many fans have felt for a long time. BUT in order to be taken seriously and not criticised it requires an incredibly large group of fans protesting in a civilised manner so as not to attract criticism or give the board the opportunity to switch attention from Wenger onto a the demonstrators.
200 people and a few banners on match day is not enough as it gets absorbed into 60 thousand non protesting spectators. It has to be on a day when there is no game.
So, how many fans that are genuinely unhappy would give up an afternoon of their time to force change?
Neil