The longer Wenger remains at Arsenal, subscribing to his steadfast philosophy of youth over experience and focusing on his own interpretation of total football, the lower his own and his club's stock will inevitably drop. Arsene Wenger is, without doubt, one of the most intelligent and respected managers of his generation. His cause is noble and his philosophy is one that engenders vast amounts of respect - especially in a country where the slide tackle was once more celebrated than the slide rule pass. However, his stubbornness and reluctance to adapt his philosophy is the main reason Arsenal have suffered such a barren spell that few would have predicted during the incredible league winning campaign of 2003/04, in which they remained unbeaten in all of their 38 fixtures. A decade ago, Wenger predicted that his side was good enough to go unbeaten for an entire season, and did so in due course. 10 years on; a similar prediction would be absurd.
Wenger's philosophy of building for the future and "creating stars rather than buying them" is one that I have the utmost respect for and one that has worked remarkably well in the past for Arsenal. Wenger's promises of building for the future may have been received with high levels of anticipation and excitement from the supporters a few years ago but when the anticipated success fails to manifest itself in the form of silverware, the empty promises must start to wear thin - even for the most loyal of the Wenger faithful.
Comparing the current Arsenal squad to the 'invincibles' of 2004 must be depressing viewing for the red half of North London. The last 6 trophy-less seasons have come as a result of replacing experienced, star quality, international players with youth. The unbeaten team of 03/04 was full of players who were not only experienced in the game, but experienced at winning trophies and, more importantly, winning ugly. (In no way related to Martin Keown's aesthetic appeal, of course).
The current Arsenal squad contains a plethora of talented youngsters, I firmly believe that Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Aaron Ramsey and Jack Wilshere could, not only fit into, but improve the history making squad of 8 years ago. So why then have Arsenal suffered such a drastic fall from grace in the last decade? The problem seems, to me at least, painstakingly obvious. The experienced spine of the team has been replaced with youth. From back to front, the team was filled with exceptional quality, but not only that, it was filled with experience. Lehmann tending goal, Sol Campbell and his undeniably quality and experience to guide a young Kolo Toure in defence, Vieira, the colossus dominating the midfield and Henry and Bergkamp in the forward positions. Not to mention Pires, Kanu, Wilthord and Gilberto Silva - players with some of the most sought after medals in their personal trophy cabinets. It was a team of winners, of experience, a team which had the brawn to match the brains. The dressing room was full of home-grown Premier League experience in the twilight of their careers to guide the supremely talented youth. And provide the steel to allow the flair to flourish with such devastating effects. Not only winning, but playing some of the most aesthetically pleasing football ever seen on these shores.
Alan Hansen famously (and somewhat incorrectly) said "you can't win anything with kids" in reference to the championship and FA cup winning Manchester United side of 1995/96. It doesn't happen very often, but I would agree with Hansen here; so long as I could alter the quote to read "you can't win anything with kids alone". That famous Manchester United side, despite being littered with promising young stars, was also full of experience and guile. Like everything else in life, the youth need leaders. Young players need to be surrounded by experience to learn and develop and to perform on a match day. Arsenal have been chronically lacking this of late.
Naturally, the team of 2003/04 began to change. Players were sold, retired or injured. But Wenger refused to replace experience with experience, to replace toughness (both mental and physical) with players of a similar calibre. He was and still is preoccupied with youth, and his own version of total football. Again, this is a respectable and refreshing philosophy in the financially lead modern game. However, Arsenal have not won a trophy since the FA cup in 2005. A shocking statistic for a club of such magnitude. The epitome of this youthful revolution was in 2008, when Cesc Fabregas was named club captain, at the tender age of 21. There is no argument, in terms of talent, for Fabregas being given the armband, but a club seeking domestic and continental success needs a leader who has been there before. A leader who knows how to react when they are 0-2 down away to Bolton. A leader with experience. A leader who can roll up his sleeves and inspire a team.
It would be incredibly harsh to label the current Arsenal side as a team of invertebrates, but the metaphorical backbone and core is significantly weaker than before. I would argue that the current Arsenal side lacks the toughness and ruthlessness to ever make an impact in the Premier League. Often, tough away trips to typically English grounds in undesirable conditions and against a fierce-some home support has been Arsenal's biggest stumbling block. I would like to confirm that I am anything other than xenophobic, but the style and culture in the premier league, despite having changed recently is still extremely different - and in many cases, more physically and mentally demanding than that in the continent. Even the most talented team of foreign stars must be anchored by some English or players who have adapted to the English game, both on the pitch and in the dressing room. Wenger's reluctance and unchanging transfer policy has ultimately led to his own demise. The current Arsenal team is severely lacking in mental toughness, an attribute that all great sports persons will confirm is essential for success. The 4-4 draw with Newcastle last year highlighted that. I would staunchly argue that losing a 4 goal advantage due to a combination of poor mental strength and inexperience.
Miracles aside, Arsenal are unlikely to win a trophy this campaign, making it 7 trophy-less seasons for the once revered Frenchman. There is only so long a reputation, even one as grand as his, can last. Fans are already becoming impatient. This has to be Wenger's last season in charge at Arsenal. It's comparable to a tired, old relationship. Either something has to change, or they need to part company; for the benefit of both parties. Wenger has proven that he is unwilling to change, his stubbornness is admirable but ultimately frustrating. Arsenal need an upheaval. They have gone stale. I have no doubt that Wenger can move on and reconfirm his reputation of one of the greatest managers of the modern game and that Arsenal can once again become a force in the Premier League. But Arsenal need a new philosophy, or at least a renovation to the current one. Wenger needs to leave Arsenal, while he is still considered (and quite rightly so) a great of the modern game. He needs to leave now.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
