The Annual Anointing of Arsene

[Dorset]

It is fast becoming a feature of Premiership life, or at least is has been these last four years. I’m talking, of course, about an event in the British sporting calendar that is as annoying as hearing the London Marathon accompaniment music and seeing bad refereeing. It is the ritual anointing of Arsene Wenger as a genius of the highest order despite, or perhaps even because of, the hard time he is being given by a so-called ‘ mindless minority’ of Arsenal fans. Well, my son-in-law Gunner is now a fully paid up member of this minority and I have to say that, since his seeing of the light, we have enjoyed many a sensible conversation on football matters whereas in the past realism hasn’t exactly featured strongly in our discussions. What made the difference, cutting through the bias and bluster we were both guilty of, was a simple comparison of our respective situations made at around about the time when, in the last days under Scolari, I feared the worst and he feared a finish below the Villa. Ah yes, I remember it well…

Back then both London clubs had a decision to make - to continue much as before and hope to turn the corner, or risk changing horses midstream. Roman took what turned out to be a very well calculated risk whilst, true to their lack of form, whoever pulls the strings at the Emirates felt they couldn’t swim against the whiter-than-white tide that is Wenger’s record and opted to trust to luck instead, thereby just [and only just] securing fourth place. With Wenger’s safety net of beautiful football looking worse for wear and in stark contrast to Hiddink’s instant success, some Arsenal fans, son-in-law included, began to have doubts and these mounted with their FA Cup exit and league hammering received courtesy of Guus at his tactical best.

However, perish the thought that those doubts should ever extend to criticism of the one who [allegedly] ‘knows‘, although that is what has happened and no amount of bizarre retrospective Wenger praise for his old arch enemy Ferguson and his team’s performance against them in the Champions League could hide the hurt that was inflicted by London rivals, on 4-year long suffering fans in particular. Yet such is his standing in the game in this country that nothing is allowed to tarnish the image for any length of time. Fuelled by the curious and all too convenient news of Real interest in him and hot on the heels of a battering taken at a shareholders airing of views, hacks piled in from every side to bemoan the ingratitude of those who dare to disbelieve his genius or the waning of it. Here’s a couple, drip fed from the same newspaper, to be going on with…

“We must assume that those who would be rid of Arsene Wenger are in a small, deluded minority, but they are a dangerously vocal gang who have driven this country’s favourite Frenchman to the point where he is considering his options†Matt Dickinson ( The Times 19/5/09)

“But do these people [vocal minority of Arsenal fans] seriously suggest that silverware is the last word on the matter? That trophies alone are the sole measure of a manager and his methods? That a few extra baubles in a cabinet in a back room at the Emirates would have a deeper, more urgent meaning than the memories that Wenger’s teams have left in the hearts and minds of those who have been fortunate enough to watch them?†Matthew Syed (The Times 20/5/09)

What this sycophantic barrage of backup tells anybody who cares enough to listen, is that Wenger is far too cosily comfortable at the Emirates to see the wood for the trees. As the gap between the lack of baubles and the memories gets wider the reasons for playing beautiful football, if that’s what their current unsuccessful football is, become lost in the mists of time. The truth of the matter is obvious to those not living in the past - Hiddink has provided more evidence of genius in a few months of football than Wenger has shown in four seasons of it. My son-in-law now accepts this to be a fact, albeit grudgingly. He’s not part of a dangerously vocal gang, nor is he deluded - for then he would simply be oblivious to his own faults and those of the man in charge of his favourite team and, to be brutally honest, there are more than enough people deluding themselves at the Emirates already.

Edited May 20, 2009 by Dorset

[dkw]

“But do these people [vocal minority of Arsenal fans] seriously suggest that silverware is the last word on the matter? That trophies alone are the sole measure of a manager and his methods? That a few extra baubles in a cabinet in a back room at the Emirates would have a deeper, more urgent meaning than the memories that Wenger’s teams have left in the hearts and minds of those who have been fortunate enough to watch them?†Matthew Syed (The Times 20/5/09)

that paragraph is quite possibly the single most ridiculous thing ive read about this subject. a few extra baubles over "lovely" football? jesus, its worse than i ever thought. im sure in years to come when records are read over people will look at the barren wenger years and say "but they did play lovely football" and everyone will be happy. unbelievable.

[BLUENUT]

“But do these people [vocal minority of Arsenal fans] seriously suggest that silverware is the last word on the matter? That trophies alone are the sole measure of a manager and his methods? That a few extra baubles in a cabinet in a back room at the Emirates would have a deeper, more urgent meaning than the memories that Wenger’s teams have left in the hearts and minds of those who have been fortunate enough to watch them?†Matthew Syed (The Times 20/5/09)

that paragraph is quite possibly the single most ridiculous thing ive read about this subject. a few extra baubles over "lovely" football? jesus, its worse than i ever thought. im sure in years to come when records are read over people will look at the barren wenger years and say "but they did play lovely football" and everyone will be happy. unbelievable.

I honestly thought we played some great stuff under Ranieri, but after 4 years of nothing, it was time for us to move on. Claudio was a nice bloke with a nice philosophy on football, but he just couldn't mould us into winners.

I sat in the Arsenal end for our 4-1 win, and shared a tube home with their supporters from Wembley, and to say only a handful are upset with their failures over the past 4 years is a HUGE understatement.

If they don't sign some needed experienced players in the summer, and begin next term badly, the Arsenal fans will start calling for his head!!!

[g3.7]

the reality is they've no money.

their fans won't like it especially given the prices they pay, but those flats developed where highbury was aren't selling and so they basically have no money and have to urgently keep making the champions league in order to help take the strain of paying for the emirates.

while they are not challenging, you can't say wenger is doing a great job, but to be honest he's not doing an appalling one either- if you can fend off sides like villa who spent nearly £50m last summer then he's doing what he has to for the moment. I mean, I'm sure he'd like to go one summer without losing first choice players, but they are in a struggle.

few managers could do much more in that situation, and those that could would probably not want a job where you have to be creative in the transfer market just to maintain.

bah, enough defending arsenal and wenger for one day!

[TheWestwayWonder]

“But do these people [vocal minority of Arsenal fans] seriously suggest that silverware is the last word on the matter? That trophies alone are the sole measure of a manager and his methods? That a few extra baubles in a cabinet in a back room at the Emirates would have a deeper, more urgent meaning than the memories that Wenger’s teams have left in the hearts and minds of those who have been fortunate enough to watch them?†Matthew Syed (The Times 20/5/09)

that paragraph is quite possibly the single most ridiculous thing ive read about this subject. a few extra baubles over "lovely" football? jesus, its worse than i ever thought. im sure in years to come when records are read over people will look at the barren wenger years and say "but they did play lovely football" and everyone will be happy. unbelievable.

Im glad you highlighted that quote. Its a ridiculous conclusion. "But but but surely their hearts are uplifted by such lovely football!" What a load. This is the same reasoning that questioned whether we were deserving champions a few years ago because we didnt play the ball on the ground all the time.

Good contribution Dorset, enjoyed reading that many Arse fans are pissed of with what is going on over there. The fans who pay money have a right to know why year in year our they have a young team that is shedding older players and has clear flaws that a 10 year old can spot on a videogame. If what G4 said is true, and they really are screwed financially between the stadium and the Highbury plot, then it makes all this lip service on the part of their chairpersons saying "There is money available" "Wenger can spend" etc etc especially cowardly. If they are lying about that, then they owe it to Wenger to go publicly and take the fall as to, why, they are not going to compete for top prizes again next year.

After losing to Man Utd and us by a combined 7-2 in a matter of a week, supporters are right to ask questions. Theyre entitled to it

[heckel]

the reality is they've no money.

their fans won't like it especially given the prices they pay, but those flats developed where highbury was aren't selling and so they basically have no money and have to urgently keep making the champions league in order to help take the strain of paying for the emirates.

while they are not challenging, you can't say wenger is doing a great job, but to be honest he's not doing an appalling one either- if you can fend off sides like villa who spent nearly £50m last summer then he's doing what he has to for the moment. I mean, I'm sure he'd like to go one summer without losing first choice players, but they are in a struggle.

few managers could do much more in that situation, and those that could would probably not want a job where you have to be creative in the transfer market just to maintain.

bah, enough defending arsenal and wenger for one day!

G4 is right.

The other thing that would be on my mind if I were an Arsenal fan is that, better or for worse, they can't afford a squad overhaul and no other manager would use the resources of this particular team as well as Arsene. I'm of the party who think they've done well to stay in the picture.

[Backbiter]

their fans won't like it especially given the prices they pay, but those flats developed where highbury was aren't selling and so they basically have no money

Do Arsenal own these flats? Didn't they sell the ground to a developer? In which case he/they are the ones who are losing money due to the housing slump, not Arsenal.

I'm asking, as I genuinely don't know. Iwould have thought Arsenal would have simply sold off the Highbury site and let the developers deal with the vagaries of the property market. I could, of course, be totally wrong.

EDIT: Just googled this link: http://www.ukinvestmentadvice.co.uk/highbu...-investment.htm

Arsenal Football Club intend to redevelop their present Islington stadium

That suggests the club are the property developers. :P

Edited May 21, 2009 by Backbiter

[BLUENUT]

Do Arsenal own these flats? Didn't they sell the ground to a developer? In which case he/they are the ones who are losing money due to the housing slump, not Arsenal.

I'm asking, as I genuinely don't know. Iwould have thought Arsenal would have simply sold off the Highbury site and let the developers deal with the vagaries of the property market. I could, of course, be totally wrong.

They don't call it Cash-burden Grove for nothing

[TheWestwayWonder]

I understand the current market isnt the best, and that London is expensive, but if I was a gooner I could think of nothing cooler than owning a flat in the ground. Then again, if they ever managed to do that with the Bridge, it would probably be twice the price

Not really sure if its a good price, but a quick search saw a 2 bedroom place in the ground for 540. Along with all the amenities. Seems like a pretty standard price for similar places in North London

[midlandblue]

They don't call it Cash-burden Grove for nothing

I believe it's Cash Burden Grave.

[BLUENUT]

I believe it's Cash Burden Grave.

Like it :wacko:

[Backbiter]

I believe it's Cash Burden Grave.

That just refers to the huge borrowing to finance the new stadium, though, not the Highbury apartments complex.

Of course, it's the new stadium that will allow Arsenal to compete financially with Manure and ourselves, isn't ? Wasn't that the whole purpose of leaving the Library?

All very ironic.