I am not saying that everything the former England, Blackburn and Celtic striker Chris Sutton is necessarily wrong in everything he has said about the current situation at Arsenal Football Club, but I am saying that his rant about Arsene Wenger reported by The Mirror and the way he runs things is far from being an unbiased viewpoint.
Perhaps the fact that Chelsea is also on the list of clubs that Sutton played for explains why, but I have no doubt that the 44-year old football pundit has a bee in his bonnet about our club and so we should take anything he says about it with a pinch of salt.
I have often found myself wondering whether Sutton had something against us when I hear him commentating on one of our matches but he took his usual bias up a level recently when doing the FA cup clash between us and Lincoln City. Even my wife who has little interest in football noticed and asked me why he was being so hard on Arsenal.
During the first half when we struggled to break them down Arsenal were the worst team in the world and even when we then put five past them he gave us no credit and huffily said that was what we should have done earlier. So have a look at his comments on Wenger and agree with them if you like, but do not be fooled into thinking this is coming from a ‘neutral’.
He said, “I just think he’s being selfish. The last 13 years have been a disaster. The FA Cups have papered over the cracks.
“The biggest problem for me is that it’s a dictatorship. He surrounds himself with ‘yes’ men. He’s brought all these players in.
“The players are not showing fight, they are not showing heart and they are not playing for him. The environment at Arsenal is unhealthy.”
13 years? Even those fans and pundits that are now down on the prof agree that his job of keeping the Gunners in the Champions League despite being hugely outspent year after year was remarkable. He also slammed Wenger’s signings although I would argue that Alexis Sanchez was pretty good and Mustafi has looked the real deal until recently when all the players have been below par.
Sutton also likened the boss and his intention to stay as an uncle who doesn’t want to leave a party and it is a good phrase which I agree with to some extent. Do you? Or do you think that Sutton and many other pundits are too hard on Wenger?
Bob.
He is very correct in is assessment of wenger and arsenal
+1
If that’s a direct, word-for-word quote, then I cannot think of anything wrong with what he said. One could even argue it’s not even his opinion, he’s only pointing out facts. Pundits, and media alike, haven’t been anywhere near harsh enough on Wenger. Some of them even go as far as bandying about the laughable phrase “be careful what you wish for”, Rio Ferdinand, most notably.
For anyone that hasn’t heard it, listen to Piers Morgan’s latest rant on Wenger. I am not Piers’s greatest fan, but he’s spot on with everything he says, and doesn’t hold back.
Hahaha yeah I listened to that yesterday.
I don’t understand why people get upset over other peoples opinions. Harden the f@#k up. That’s what has made Arsenal soft, people that get offended by what others have to say about Arsene Wenger and/or afraid of him leaving.
I agree with Chris Sutton and Piers Morgan. To put this into perspective, the rival fans are singing for Arsenal to keep Wenger. Is there anything more humiliating than that? We are a f@#king joke to every other club in the world. If Wenger loves the club he should leave and let us get our respect back.
I agree with Chris Sutton and Piers Morgan. If there advice was followed years ago Arsenal FC would be a lot stronger club today.
As for the hoary old story about the financing of the stadium, that was not the only way of ‘responsibly’ financing a football club’s development. There are other examples of how successful and competitive clubs developed which, frankly, put Arsene the Dope and the Arsenal board to shame.
SO LESS OF THE OLD GUFF, Bob, isn’t it time the interests of our great ARSENAL FC came before empty excuses for the actions of losers (Arsene) and chancers (the Arsenal Board).
Whether you like it or not, it’s the truth. I agree with everything he says except the part about the signings because even though Wenger did buy a lot of deadwood, he also bought lots of quality players.
If Wenger was the manager at any other big club he would’ve been sacked 10 years ago. No other club appart from Arsenal would keep a manager that has only won 2 FA Cup’s in 13 years this long even he is the best manager the club has ever had. I just hopes he makes the right decision to step down to avoid ruining his legacy and dragging the club down even further.
Think Sutton nailed it to be honest, do some people honestly believe that putting five past Lincoln is an amazing performance, they’re non league.
To be honest not really bothered what Sutton has to say about anything. He is the same as most of the pundits on TV or radio they say things that are controversial just for the sake of it because they think people will then listen to the show to hear what they say next. It is only their opinion anyway and we the supporters should be able to make our own minds up about our club.
but this time he is right, perfectly right
It makes me wonder how people are so quick to believe every rumour about contracts Wenger going or staying. Can anyone honestly tell me where has the board or arsene or players even mention any one or two years deals its pure speculation to say the least much last ke alot of our transfer rumours nobody knows what is really happening bookies or press alike just like to wind up the arsenal supporter’s because it massive tension atm with losses and the future uncertain but be rest assured the outcome might be a surprising one yet like ok at ozil and sanchez transfers no body knew a thing about them until they were signed maybe the club are working under the radar to bring new manager. Behind the scenes and Wenger contract problem is the smokescreen to do the business behind. No says much about how we could another manager in yet just all focus on Wenger deal atm. Could be something going in we don’t know yet. I might just buck the trend here and say he is going something don’t seem quite right about how this situation is playing out. But we will see soon enough
Sutton absolutely hit the nail on the head! The bigger problem here is not all the opinions and discussion, 90% of us agree that Wenger leaving our club is way overdue. The problem is – all this noise is futile! It’s pointless because we have an owner who doesn’t even care about Arsenal FC, he probably calls it soccer! He’s not a fan, he only shows up when he has to, and he takes absolutely zero notice of any of this negative noise across the pond.
Hate to say it but Abramovich cares, he cares about the Chelsea image, he’ll make nescesary changes. Same applies with Leicester’s Thai owner, and Hull and John Henry etc etc.
All Kroenke cares about are profits and margins.
We need to him in the wallet – that’s the only way he’ll sack Wenger! Boycott games, boycott merchandise. We the fans hold the power. Wenger is a cancer!
Sorry for the long rant.
Chris Sutton is a crap match commentator, but I do agree with him here.
I agree with him 100%. Wenger should go while we bring in Enrique. Enrique has managed a team with the best players in the world. He will command respect. The club should have announced that Wenger will go at the end of the season. This will make the players to buckle up and fight in the remaining games so as to make top four. Wenger has destroyed this team. No justification for not giving Lucas more playing time in the EPL. We have weak players who don’t know how to prepare for the big games. Bellerin who can’t make a descent cross for Giroud. Against Liverpool for instance, Wenger should have started Gibbs and not Monreal cos of the pace of Mane. Wenger is the problem. Maybe the prospect of Enrique coming in can convince both Ozil and Sanchez to stay. Leicester city sacked a manager who over achieved last season. They sacked him in the middle of the season. The result of our last three matches against Bayern is 15:3. lol