There are many problems with Arsenal at the moment. We have all written at length about Unai Emery’s struggles, but as a fan base do we have to accept we are delusional? Part of finding any solution is admitting there is a problem. In other words, we have got to accept that we are not as good as we think we are.
Some gooners convinced themselves the grass would be greener as long as Arsene Wenger left, even though there was over a decade of evidence that the Kroenke family had zero ambition.
Some convinced themselves that they were happy with our choice of new manager, even though in reality no one had ever mentioned him as an option before he got the job.
We praised our transfer dealings even though it was obvious our defence was weaker, replacing Koscielny with David Luiz. We have a good crop of youngsters, but do we exaggerate how great they are?
Some have discarded the likes of Mustafi, Ozil and Xhaka even though there was zero evidence we had better options.
We are at it yet again by discussing who should be our next boss. The pressure for our board to make a change has intensified by Spurs sacking someone who had been more successful and was certainly more popular.
The theory is we should act quick now, so we don’t miss out on getting Mauricio Pochettino. While it’s a nice thought that the greatest Spurs manager of the Prem era would jump ship, which would be on the scale of Sol Campbell’s defection in terms of the anger it would cause. It really is a fanciful thought.
Anyone who believes the Argentine would pick us ahead of a Bayern Munich or Manchester United is either arrogant, naive, or both. This is someone who got frustrated by Daniel Levy’s refusal to compete with his rivals in terms of transfer fees and wages. Who so wanted the chance to be more than just challenging for the top 4 he could no longer hide his disappointment?
Why would he swap one employer with no desire to be champions for another one who’s just as bad?
Why do you think our shortlist in the summer came down to Arteta before he was edged out by Unai Emery? Do you really think those two were viewed as the best possible options?
If Man City, Man United, Chelsea, Liverpool, etc, were recruiting, would they have even considered Arteta or Emery?
The reality is any proven name would want to know it’s realistic to be champions and would therefore be put off the moment they heard what our transfer kitty was. That leaves you with a group of names so flattered to be getting such a job, they would accept such limitations.
Pochettino is not one of those names…
Don’t get me wrong, the Kroenke family could make Arsenal a vacancy everyone should be enticed by. If they wanted to, they could offer the highest salary, compete for the best talent, a chance to live in London, a beautiful stadium, training facilities, we should appeal to anyone!
In reality there probably is no plan B if Emery can’t turn around our fortunes. We will simply find the cheapest option, someone so grateful for such a job they will tolerate a lack of ambition.
Daniel Levy was willing to pay 12 million compensation and double the manager’s salary to get who he wanted.
Arsenal won’t do the same…
Dan Smith