There is a theory that Arsenal fans may well be left wishing that Arsene Wenger had stayed for at least one more season, assuming that the Frenchman does decide to call time on his career in north London this summer as most people now seem to think he will.
I am not so sure to be honest, even if the Gunners do not get it right straight away under whichever new manager comes in to replace Wenger.
Last week we had the former arsenal and England defender Martin Keown suggesting that the boss should stay for another year and Metro is reporting that the Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has backed his rival and suggested that our club will be losing a major asset if and when he does call it quits.
The Italian said, ‘I have great respect for Arsene Wenger as manager and as a man.
‘He’s done a good job for 20 years and is doing a great job in the present with Arsenal.
When you are the coach in a great team, you are under-pressure in every moment. But I think Arsene is a really good manager, one of the best in the world.I have great respect for him and his team, they’re strong and have a good idea of football.
‘Results at the moment are not good but it’s important not to forget the work the coach has done in the past and in the present.’
Wenger is well respected in the game but there may just be an element of self-interest in Conte encouraging Arsenal to show faith in the prof, as his Chelsea recently took full advantage of Wenger’s open and attacking tactics. I would not be surprised to see Arsenal struggle next season, though, as Manchester United have recently proved it can be extremely hard after one man has been in charge for so long.
If Arsenal do not make the change now, though, it will only get worse. The time is right Gooners, even if we have to suffer a spell where things get worse in terms of results.
D.N.