The board takes the spotlight now. by Konstantin Mitov
It’s done. We’ve finally won an away game and we won’t be seeing Wenger manage us ever again! Enough has been said about this, but what was important is that we actually won away. It’s a terrible record to take over with 0 wins away in 2018, not that having 1 is great, but breaking that negativity cycle is key at Arsenal.
We didn’t really play too well. It was a familiar away performance, but Huddersfield didn’t take their chances. On the other hand we have enough quality up top to create chances even when we don’t play great and Aubameyang pocketed another poachers goal to help us to a victory.
It’s the one positive you take into next year. He has come in February and managed 10 goals and a few assists in a team low on form and confidence. If we can bring in the right man who will repair the defense, balance the squad and install a winning mentality, we’ll be a real threat next season.
It’s a difficult task on it’s own, but Arsenal now need a manager who will be a uniting figure for the fans. And the rumours of Mikel Arteta don’t help. If we appoint him, the fans would back him at the start, but I don’t think anyone will be fired up. If we want an ex-player, get Vieira. If we want a young man, then Nagelsmann is the one in my opinion.
Let’s face the facts, Allegris comments suggest he’ll be staying at Juventus. Nagelsmann also looks like staying for at least another year. The rumours of Low have dried up and the world cup makes it really difficult. We’ve scratched Ancelotti for some reason off our list which is sad as he’d be a good choice for the transition period that is inevitable whoever we appoint.
Then who’s left? Enrique is too expensive, then we go to Vieira who mentioned in an interview that someday he might manage Arsenal, but not right now and with Guardiola saying “I want the best for my friends”, people are already sharpening their pencils for the Arteta story.
My fears are that we’ll put another puppet on a string, but there is a problem. Wenger was too big of a target and the board could hide behind him. Mikel Arteta is hardly a big shield. If things go wrong, the finger is firmly pointing at the board and that’s a group of people that is much more difficult to get rid off.
I really enjoy the fact we hired Mislintat and Sanllehi, and we’re pairing them with Ivan and Josh Kroenke to create a strong group of people who will share some of the responsibility Arsene had. But it feels like this decision is something we’re not prepared for.
I feel like the empty seats caught the board by surprise. They didn’t expect things to go that bad and perhaps wanted to wait for another year to prepare the successor, but the issue was forced. Raul and Sven both still don’t have 6 months officially at Arsenal and they will be highly influential in making the biggest decision this club has made since leaving Highbury.
It’s obviously something you don’t want to rush, but the world cup hardly helps. Hopefully we’ll appoint a big name. We desperately need one in my opinion. Anyway, it’s time for a bit of an Arsenal break and it’s one everybody related to the club has needed for a while. The ball is now at the boards feet. We’ll see what happens very soon.
Konstantin