This week the BFG once again opened up about his relief in retiring from playing football. No one should be ashamed to talk about anxiety but let’s be clear, the German wasn’t dignosed with depression. If he were the club would have looked after him.
Instead he seemed to want the best of both worlds in the last 12 months. He was happy to take a pay check while admitting he was wishing not to be selected. Remember this was the club captain. At a time where we accuse our squad of being weak mentally, it couldn’t be helpful that one of the few leaders in the dressing room we did have, no longer had the desire which made him a World Cup winner. How does it help our youngsters development if one of their most experienced team-mates is openly not wanting to be picked?
This is the same man who is now in charge of our youth set up, openly admitting that while being paid thousands he no longer wanted the stress of playing in front of 60 000 people at the Emirates. I’m sure he wasn’t as transparent when extending his contract. Arsenal were paying him to deliver a length of service yet he admits that he effectively went through the motions for months. That he feels comfortable to admit this highlights how comfortable an environment Arsene Wenger had created. The Frenchmen should never have allowed someone with such an outlook to ever have responsibility off the field.
While more men should talk about how they are feeling mentally you can’t have it both ways. Apparently though the BFG can. The average working man and women would seek medical advice if they felt overwhelmed to do their jobs which would then impact our pay scale. BFG didn’t do that. Worse, he had retired in his head yet failed to notify anyone. If he knew he was training and preparing for a match day not wanting to play anymore, morally he should have announced his retirement. Instead he took a wage and spot in the squad which could of gone to someone else. He knew he had a job lined up after he hung up his boots. Pretending to being invested for one last season was just financial greed.
He didn’t want the pressure that being a professional sportsman demands anymore but didn’t want to lose the money either. Effectively he conned us.
Dan Smith