Greetings to my beloved Arsenal Fans again. First and foremost is that I want to say that we are all hoping for the football club to be successful once again. Under Arsene Wenger, Arsenal finished in the top four of the Premier League every year for 20 consecutive years, a “bare minimum” to us Gunner fans.
The reshuffled management team finally changed Coach after 22 years and hired the Spanish Coach, Unai Emery, prior to last season. His credentials impressed the Board most over some of the other candidates considered at that time. (Three Europa League titles while Coach at Sevilla). In his debut PL season, Coach Emery directed the team to a fifth-place finish and a spot in the Europa League final vs Chelsea.
After only eleven league games to this season, I have experienced a wide range of emotions. Mostly bitter emotions directed towards Coach Emery and now the Board.
A quick summary after 11 league games: last season – Arsenal earned 23 points and GD +11, we scored 25 goals and conceded 14, stood in 5th place one point behind 4th. This season – Arsenal have 17 points and GD +1, we’ve scored 16 goals and have conceded 15, stand in 5th place but six points off 4th.
Most of us will agree that the summer transfer window was “unexpectedly” favourable overall. We had “hints” of a slight improvement in our defence and much anticipation with the added “firepower” to our attack. (i.e. Pepe signing).
What has happened with our team so far this season my beloved family of Arsenal supporters?
Who is to blame? The Coach? The Players? The Board? Who?
I ask myself the very same questions…
With all my “pent-up” frustrations to this new season I decided to look at the overall picture at Arsenal. This is my theory and some of you may agree and some of you may not…….
The Board will fail to sack Coach Emery anytime soon unless the team goes on a consistent losing streak. Here is why: THEY ARE NOT TRULY INTERESTED IN FOOTBALL JUST THE ARSENAL BRAND
The club’s billionaire owner Mr. Kroenke owns several other major sports franchises in the USA including NFL – Los Angeles Rams and the new LA stadium due to open in 2020.
He simply purchased a “well established” Arsenal FC and BRAND with supporters worldwide and the club worth over 2 billion pounds.
His Board of Directors are all senior statesmen and ex-businessmen with an average age of 73 years old (the zeal is gone) if you leave out Kroenke’s son Josh who is 39. Josh already has his hands full being the President of two of his family-owned major sports teams in the USA. (no time for Arsenal)
Mr. Vinai Venkatesham is Arsenal’s current Managing Director but I find no prior evidence of SPORTS in his DNA just a business background.
The Head of Football, Mr. Raul Sanllehi was the former Director of Football at Barcelona in years past, but has since stepped in the position of the former CEO Mr. Ivan Gazidis.
Most of us should know by now that our team has regressed under Coach Emery this season.
ESPN FC TV Sports commentators/analysts Stevie Nicholl, Stewart Robson and Frank LeBeouf all agree to that very same point….
With the current organizational structure, the background and duties of Board members, I envisage Coach Emery will continue with his duties indefinitely.
Can anyone really see them sack coach Emery at the moment?
Larry J Dunlop