Arsenal have already leapt forward 2 decades by Neil Watson
The most progressive thing for our club in the last decade has been the introduction of the new management structure. Regardless of whether Unai Emery is a success during his time with us what his arrival demonstrates is the forward thinking that is now being adopted by the senior management.
It is feasible that part of our past problems have been the presence of a power struggle within the club, with one party wanting complete control while the other favouring diversity of control through the designation of specialists in specific areas.
Emery’s arrival has facilitated the latter to evolve, which will allow the replacement of individuals should they fail to deliver in their specific roles, without their removal causing upheaval or extreme decision making. In simple terms the club has finally evolved and can operate in a way the modern game requires.
One undeniable consequence of the change will mean the days of a 20 year managerial posting are well and truly behind us. Emery maybe with us for a season or perhaps even several but nothing anywhere close to how long Wenger was with us. If he succeeds he will be offered more money, more funds to spend and the adulation of our fans. If he fails his tenure will be short and he will be replaced with far more brutality than we have witnessed in the past.
The modern game requires top clubs to be efficient on and off the pitch and, as a consequence, sentimentality has no place. Arsenal football club are now structured to function in a mercenary manner and, as agents have conducted themselves on behalf of their players for some time, our senior management can now show a stronger and ruthless edge to how our club moves forward which can only be positive thing for fans.
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Neil Watson