I’ve just watched the Koscielny sending off again from the Munich game. Its barely a penalty but in no way a sending off. Its contentious to even suggest is was bookable. But within that action the Wenger Out brigade accepted the decision and watched capitulation of the tie and as a consequence any hope of Arsenal progressing.
I think there’s few who are now hoping Wenger will stay and, it strikes me, were they any doubts in his mind about his future, they were answered last night and he is merely running down the clock until deciding to announce his resignation or not sign an extension.
There’s an unfair irony though to the penalty decision. Those wanting Wenger out have not reacted to the terrible penalty decision by the officials but accepted it because it will help remove Wenger. Think about it though….What if we have a new manager next season and a similar decision is given against us. That would be equally unfair as it was last night. From that perspective it was a gross injustice on Wenger and his team and we should at the very least sympathise with him and how badly treated our team were last night.
I, like many, believe the change will be a positive thing providing the in coming managing establishes budgets and a game plan that the board accept. What we will no doubt see is them struggle to find a candidate that will be high profile as well as tolerate their obsession with ensuring they remain comfortably reward on their investment. As a consequence we may see a lesser figure than Wenger in charge until changes above our manager occur.
In closing spare a thought for Wenger, a man who has truly loved Arsenal and given us some amazing memories. Last night he, and his players, were truly cheated by the Greek officials and the score of 1-5 flattered Bayern. The Koscielny sending off was a game changer, which doesn’t imply we would have won had he stayed on, but it shifted the balance in Bayern’s favour. We shouldn’t have got that when the press do their utmost to destroy Wenger’s reputation. He’s been a brilliant servant to our club and with the exception of Man Utd, there’s a not a single team who wouldn’t swap their history with last 20 years of stability and success we’ve had.
Neil Watson