Responsibility now shifts to Ivan and the players. by Konstantin Mitov
It’s done. Arsene Wenger will leave Arsenal and the club is now looking to the future. For so long the spotlight was focused on Wenger just like Saurons eye was on the ring, but now it changes.
For all the critique Wenger received, he was really let down by quite a few players who he trusted even though they kept making the same mistakes. The likes of Mustafi, Cech and Xhaka are few of those who should seriously worry as a new manager is coming in.
There are obvious problems with our entire back 4, the keeper and the DM position. No manager will be able to just wave a magic wand and fix the defense, but whoever comes will have to do something close to that as we have Mustafi, who is not good enough, Koscielny who’s on a rapid decline, Bellerin who doesn’t really care and Mertesacker who we will free off our Charity fund.
And then there’s the case of Ramsey and Welbeck entering the final year of their deals and Wilshere who could very well leave – and to be honest I won’t miss him at all. We have to get ruthless with players who don’t deliver and the manager coming in would surely like to know what he will be working with.
The Board will also have to help with the contracts as I don’t think they’ll let another situation where one person does everything. Wenger was kind of let down by the board too in that regard as It’s not like he did a very good job with the transfers and contracts, but it shouldn’t have been his job either.
I think Gazidis has put his grip on the club. We hired one of the best scouts around and a person who oversaw incredible success at Barcelona. We were promised to compete and it hasn’t happened and now that Wenger is going, Gazidis will be a target if we don’t start improving as he is the architect of all this.
The new manager will be a major piece in our puzzle and Ivan will be one of the main people to help put it there. There is no shortage of potential candidates. From the obvious choices like Allegri and Simeone to questionable figures like Brendan Rodgers and Rafa Benitez. Or an ex player like Vieira?
Whoever it is, you have to ask what kind of resources will we give the new person? As great as Pep has been for City for example, he can throw money at every hole in the squad he has, which we aren’t likely to do, but we do have a lot of holes to fix.
It feels extremely interesting as to what the relationship between the board and the manager will be as you can see what a breakdown can do to a club if you look at Chelsea and Conte. The new manager choice could be very much influenced by our Europa League performance as being a Champions League team is a huge deal.
We have to pull it together and try and win the Europa League. Hopefully the Emirates will be sold out and it’ll be a massive atmosphere. I am so excited and I can’t wait to see what happens and things will be happening quick as the world cup will force the issue.
It starts on June 14th, while the season ends on May 13 and a potential Europa League final is on the 16th of May, so with all things said, I expect a decision on the new manager before June starts. It’s really exciting and I can’t wait.
I’m buzzing for Atletico. I thought we had no chance, and while I still think we are major underdogs, the club made the announcement at a good time to ride the emotional wave before the biggest games of our season.
I’m positive! Change is finally here and I love it. Lets try and beat Atletico and pave the way for a return to European Elite! Peace and love Arsenal people.
Konstantin