Alan Smith has claimed that Arsene Wenger was wrong to stay at Arsenal this summer.
The French boss ended last season without having made a decision on his future, and eventually decided to stay in North London on a new two-year contract.
That decision was taken with many mixed emotions, with a number of fans strongly keen on his exit, while a large number of supporters also remain behind Wenger.
Former Arsenal midfielder Alan Smith has now insisted that Wenger made the wrong decision, and the club remains in a ‘funny’ place due to the ongoing sagas.
“It was a huge decision for him, it has been his life for 20-odd years,” Smith told the London Evening Standard.
“With an offer of a two-year contract he was thinking shall I or shan’t I?
“Obviously he signed it but as I said at the time, it would have been better if he had walked away to rapturous applause.
“As it is, we’re in a state of limbo where not many supporters expect Arsenal to be pulling up trees in the next two years – hopefully they will – and the atmosphere is funny.”
Smith goes on to insist that the longest-serving Premier League manager isn’t the only issue with the club at present however, and blames Silent Stan for his lack of involvement in the day-to-day of the club.
“There’s a lack of strong leadership at the top of Arsenal,” Smith continued.
“Stan Kroenke isn’t that engaged, not conversant with English football.
“He’s not passionate about the sport, as much as he might try to make you think he is. That’s creating instability around the club.
“[The AGM] was unfortunate to say the least. I was surprised at the way Sir Chips Keswick behaved.
“Those fans deserve to be treated with respect and their questions listened to and answered. It didn’t do the club any favours.”
Has Wenger done enough this term to warrant his place in charge? Do you think a change would have us stood in a better league position at present?
Pat J