Fed up?
Why I will not be marching for Wenger
Fed up?
By Boris Mellor
May 22 2009
Yes, I still think that Wenger should continue to manage Arsenal. He has managed to overachieve on limited funds for years. It is also true that his achievements have been underestimated by the press and pundits. However, I do not believe he was ever seriously thinking of leaving, and secondly the board have something to answer for.
Fed up?
May 22 2009
Yes, I still think that Wenger should continue to manage Arsenal. He has managed to overachieve on limited funds for years. It is also true that his achievements have been underestimated by the press and pundits. However, I do not believe he was ever seriously thinking of leaving, and secondly the board have something to answer for.
Indeed, I believe that a march against the board would be a far more fruitful thing to do. That way these skinflints could be forced to pay out a bit more. I am not asking them to spend like Chelsea or bankrupt the club, but players like Henry, Hleb and Vieira were sold without the money being reinvested in players. If money is so short why spend £5 million on Ramsey who is not on the bench most weeks. Most years Arsene has made a profit on transfer dealings. The transfers are funding the new stadium rather than the stadium finance new players.
If money is so short why pay so many youngsters such high wages? Shouldn't there be a little more balance here? A mix of youth and experience could be far more effective than just youth. It is not just a matter of spending, but how the money is spent. Arsene did not pay a fortune for Gilberto but what a fantastic buy he proved to be.
Whether it was the media's, or Wenger's idea to up the stakes on his alleged departure to Real I do not care, I refuse to be manipulated into the cult of the personality. Be careful Arsene, your new found fair-weather friends are building you up only to knock you down. These are the people who have been far more critical than any Arsenal fan of your record. Now these hypocrites turn on Arsenal fans. Like thousands of others I support the team through thick and thin, I see no need for a march to prove we are loyal fans.
The Board
Nor do I know for sure how bad the meeting with the shareholders was because thanks to the KBC's (Kremlin Broadcasting Company) censorship we only saw 35 minutes of a 60-minute Q and A session. So someone suggested that Silvestre was a geriatric, how distressing that must have been to a man who ships out players at any hint of a 30th Birthday approaching.
However, the policy that Arsene has been following is clearly a strategic one; it is not just a personal whim. The board wanted to run the club on a shoestring whilst they waited for a large golden egg to arrive from the sale of the old stadium. We now know that will not happen. Therefore, Wenger has had to pursue his strategy even harder. Clearly, he has tried to save every penny due to the Board's financial mismanagement. Was this why Edleman left under a cloud?
Of course it makes no sense to overspend, but you can't sell Tetley Bitter at Champagne prices either. You have to speculate to accumulate, if you do not then it's stagnate and stagnate is not a strategy for the dynamic world of football. Failure to win anything will not convince the Champagne Charlies to carry on spending £4,500 for a seat. Sure good riddance, but they will take their cash with them and the board's business plan was built around them.
So the Board's strategy is under threat. What are the alternatives? Carry on as before and lose the suits; or reduce prices and fill Club level with real fans. That will mean having to accept that the club will not be able to compete with the top four.
However, Wenger would be able to carry on pursuing his dream of creating the youngest team ever to win the league. Unfortunately, it will remain just that - a dream.
Wenger has done a fantastic job on a limited budget but the board have sent out conflicting messages. We have been told that Wenger has the money but would not spend it. Before the start of the season everyone knew Flamini needed replacing but Wenger ignored that. Then when finally, due to pressure from fans, Wenger finally bought a player it was an attacking midfielder who he now plays out of position.
A player he did not play in the semi final because he wanted to the team to believe they could win without him. So after being defeated by Chelsea twice without him what do the team believe now? Meanwhile conflicting reports appear on how much there is to spend. The board happily sit by and allow the confusion to reign.
Neither Wenger or the Board take kindly to criticism, fair enough no one does, but you can't help feeling that they would all prefer that the fans never question anything at all. If they could run the club without ever talking to fans or shareholders that would be the ideal. That is not unique to Arsenal, Man U fans have even less say but most do not complain, that is because they are winning the trophies.
Is there a solution?
Well in the past Wenger mixed it a lot more, Fabregas developed surrounded by the Invincibles, as did Clichy. Wenger did spend on a few experienced players, and there are still bargains available as Eduardo demonstrated.
Go down the Chelsea route and bankruptcy await, continue with the youth policy and stagnation could be the result. The third way a mixture of youth and experience has a chance. Nonetheless, there are no guarantees of success in football. Liverpool spent more than Arsenal, kept Alonso, and won nothing.
Wenger and the board gambled that the move to a new stadium would provide the platform to compete with the big spenders, that gamble has failed. They will have to look for new strategies.
It is easier to outline the problems than offer solutions, but that is what these people earn their fat salaries for. I would rather they worked on the solutions rather than stigmatising fans who dare to question their infallibility, and encourage the press to write off Arsenal fans as a bunch of barstewards. If Wenger thinks that fans at Real will be as understanding as Arsenal fans after five trophy less years then he should go for it.
Deflecting Criticism and Tarring With Same Brush
The statements from the board and Wenger have cleverly changed the subject. Instead of discussing any criticism from the fans, and at no times have they stipulated it was only a minority, the fans have become the object of criticism. They have made Wenger feel like a murderer, they have discouraged players etc. True a section of boo boys have been at work, but what of the fans who rallied behind Eboue and Nik? Did the fans let the team down at the FA cup semi-final?
In the immediate after shock of the abject capitulation to Man U, at Arsenal, Wenger admitted that the fans were up for it. After the defeat by Chelsea he felt the need to take a long hard look at the team. Then within a few days it was all about the fans and their alleged ruthless criticism.
Were those have asked their questions in a polite and friendly manner given honest answers? Are the board prepared to defend Wenger's strategy? Are they prepared to back him when it really counts? They are quite happy to sacrifice the reputation of Arsenal fans to win their point.
All a march for Wenger will do is encourage the board to carry on in the same arrogant way.
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Why I will not be marching for Wenger
Posted by: Arsenal Times (IP Logged)
Date: 22/05/2009 16:16
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2009:05:25:21:25:24 by Padre Pio.
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2009:05:25:21:25:24 by Padre Pio.
Re: Why I will not be marching for Wenger
Posted by: younghansolo (IP Logged)
Date: 22/05/2009 16:45
I must say that I completely agree with you on nearly every point. The thought of us stagnating is too much for me to bare. Now is the time to make a change, while we still have a chance at restoring our glory.
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[/URL]Re: Why I will not be marching for Wenger
Posted by: PKGooner (IP Logged)
Date: 22/05/2009 16:50
This march shouldn't be just for Wenger, but for the board.
Need to come out clean.
Need to come out clean.
Re: Why I will not be marching for Wenger
Posted by: signorjay (IP Logged)
Date: 22/05/2009 17:34
I preTty much agree with most of what you say, We should def be marching on the board.Demanding that they back the manager with cash aswell as words,Talk is cheap Hill-Wood.
Arsene is no doubt a great manager but the judge me in 2 years thing dissapointed me, as i am sure he said the same thing last year and the year before. If he was to say i hold my hands up, this bunch of players have let me down or not progressed as i thought thEY would most fans would say we agree and move on.But its the denial that Denilson,Diaby etc.. will never be world class players thats a bit frustrating.
Where i strongly disagree with your article is about what you call the champagne charlies who sit in club level.I find it a bit annoying that season ticket holders some how feel superior to club level members as if we are not real fans.
I have not missed agame all season,went to all the pre season friendlies in london,emirataes cup and tonight i am off to the youth cup final 1st league against liverpool.So how does that make me less of a fan than someone who sits in block 8.
There are some coropate seats in club level,that do gte taken by none arsenal fans which can be very annoying, and there are some people in club who get abck to their seats 15-20 mins after 2nd half kicks off.But thats not everyone,some of us are...No sorry most of us are just as passionate about the club as the the other season ticket holders.
So come on and lay of club level and focus on the the common enemy SPURS
Arsene is no doubt a great manager but the judge me in 2 years thing dissapointed me, as i am sure he said the same thing last year and the year before. If he was to say i hold my hands up, this bunch of players have let me down or not progressed as i thought thEY would most fans would say we agree and move on.But its the denial that Denilson,Diaby etc.. will never be world class players thats a bit frustrating.
Where i strongly disagree with your article is about what you call the champagne charlies who sit in club level.I find it a bit annoying that season ticket holders some how feel superior to club level members as if we are not real fans.
I have not missed agame all season,went to all the pre season friendlies in london,emirataes cup and tonight i am off to the youth cup final 1st league against liverpool.So how does that make me less of a fan than someone who sits in block 8.
There are some coropate seats in club level,that do gte taken by none arsenal fans which can be very annoying, and there are some people in club who get abck to their seats 15-20 mins after 2nd half kicks off.But thats not everyone,some of us are...No sorry most of us are just as passionate about the club as the the other season ticket holders.
So come on and lay of club level and focus on the the common enemy SPURS
Re: Why I will not be marching for Wenger
Posted by: Merlion96 (IP Logged)
Date: 22/05/2009 17:45
s..jay, Wenegr will never, ever criticised his youngsters in public, even though he may know they are @#$%&.
But he will never do it.
Like Quincy, Parasio, he will quietly ship 'em out.
he does not like to destroy or demoralsie a youngsters in public, but to move on and do it privately.
But he will never do it.
Like Quincy, Parasio, he will quietly ship 'em out.
he does not like to destroy or demoralsie a youngsters in public, but to move on and do it privately.
Re: Why I will not be marching for Wenger
Posted by: brian from the b.o.f (IP Logged)
Date: 22/05/2009 18:53
It has not been just a "section of boo boys" but thousands of tugboats getting on players backs sometimes throughout games. This behaviour cannot help boost confidence in any player and as i have said before they should save their profane swearing at 20 year old players until the final whistle.
I know you remember the long drouts of the Sixtes, Seventies and Eighties when other than 71, 79, 87 and 89 Arsenal won nothing and regualrly flirted with Relegation. You are right to give Wenger a little praise for his massive contribution to Arsenal now being seen as one of the top ten Clubs in Europe.
As for the shareholder questions, i understand alot of the questions were delivered with sarcasm and nastiness...screw these guys...or perhaps their behaviour is just a smyptom of the "i want it now" outlook so common in these Isles in this age.
I know you remember the long drouts of the Sixtes, Seventies and Eighties when other than 71, 79, 87 and 89 Arsenal won nothing and regualrly flirted with Relegation. You are right to give Wenger a little praise for his massive contribution to Arsenal now being seen as one of the top ten Clubs in Europe.
As for the shareholder questions, i understand alot of the questions were delivered with sarcasm and nastiness...screw these guys...or perhaps their behaviour is just a smyptom of the "i want it now" outlook so common in these Isles in this age.
Re: Why I will not be marching for Wenger
Posted by: Bergmars (IP Logged)
Date: 22/05/2009 20:45
Agree with pretty much all of this,I will repeat Wengers has basked in the glory and IMO reacted childishly to some critics.No sane AFC fan thinks other than he has been the best we have ever or will ever have,but he is not above criticism,all blown out of proportion I think.
DB10,the best.
DB10,the best.
Re: Why I will not be marching for Wenger
Posted by: Padre Pio (IP Logged)
Date: 22/05/2009 23:31
No offence intended to the real fans in Club Level, but unfortunatley a lot of these seats are owned by people who do not care about Arsenal. Increasingly they are failing to turn up except for the biggest of games.
Re: Why I will not be marching for Wenger
Posted by: eduardo (IP Logged)
Date: 23/05/2009 01:50
Boris you miss the main point of contention of the critisim of Wenger, it was not what they said but how they said it, why personalise the attack on the Players and on Wenger, why shout at him and interupt his answers, all questioners were allowed to raise more points if Wenger's answers did not cover what they wanted, but a few louts had to go over the top so don't blame Wenger and the board for saying so, blame these fools for not being smart enough to ask the questions with a degree of manners and then if Arsenal TV cut the questions much more would have been made of it, and if Arsenal TV had not cut the questions then these shareholders would have had their questions aired to a far larger audience.
You said it in the report with "In the immediate after shock of the abject capitulation to Man U, at Arsenal, Wenger admitted that the fans were up for it. After the defeat by Chelsea he felt the need to take a long hard look at the team. Then within a few days it was all about the fans and their alleged ruthless criticism. " so really these idiots gave Wenger and the board an escape clause with their carry on, I believe one of the most loutish was a Judge, I wonder what he would do if someone acted in his courtroom like he did at the shareholers meeting.
Here are some Wenger's signings since the invincibles
Rosicky, Van Persie, NAsri, Adebayor, Eduardo, Arshavin, Hleb, Gallas, Silvestre, Sagna - I think you will find most not what you could call inexperiecned, too much nonsence has been said about a supposed youth first team, if it were not for so much injuries our startign 11 would have
Almunia
Sagna Toure Gallas Clichy
Nasri Cesc Rosicky Arshavin
Adebayor Van PErsie
sub
Eduardo, Silvestre, Eboue,
and then some of the younger guys on the bench like Denilson, Walcott, Song and Bendtenr and Fabianski,
add in that Wenger wanted to keep both Flamini and Hleb so we could have had a very experienced team and subs if things had gone to Wenger's plans, unfortunatley it did not work out that way but its far too simply to say Wenger only buys youth and only wants young players in the side, ITs also bending of the truth to say wenger does not want any over thirties at the club, look at all the guys who have played for us well into their 30's
You said it in the report with "In the immediate after shock of the abject capitulation to Man U, at Arsenal, Wenger admitted that the fans were up for it. After the defeat by Chelsea he felt the need to take a long hard look at the team. Then within a few days it was all about the fans and their alleged ruthless criticism. " so really these idiots gave Wenger and the board an escape clause with their carry on, I believe one of the most loutish was a Judge, I wonder what he would do if someone acted in his courtroom like he did at the shareholers meeting.
Here are some Wenger's signings since the invincibles
Rosicky, Van Persie, NAsri, Adebayor, Eduardo, Arshavin, Hleb, Gallas, Silvestre, Sagna - I think you will find most not what you could call inexperiecned, too much nonsence has been said about a supposed youth first team, if it were not for so much injuries our startign 11 would have
Almunia
Sagna Toure Gallas Clichy
Nasri Cesc Rosicky Arshavin
Adebayor Van PErsie
sub
Eduardo, Silvestre, Eboue,
and then some of the younger guys on the bench like Denilson, Walcott, Song and Bendtenr and Fabianski,
add in that Wenger wanted to keep both Flamini and Hleb so we could have had a very experienced team and subs if things had gone to Wenger's plans, unfortunatley it did not work out that way but its far too simply to say Wenger only buys youth and only wants young players in the side, ITs also bending of the truth to say wenger does not want any over thirties at the club, look at all the guys who have played for us well into their 30's
Re: Why I will not be marching for Wenger
Posted by: Bergmars (IP Logged)
Date: 23/05/2009 08:34
Thats in five years Eduardo,you fail to list those that have gone the other way.
DB10,the best.
DB10,the best.
Re: Why I will not be marching for Wenger
Posted by: Padre Pio (IP Logged)
Date: 24/05/2009 01:04
there is not much evidence that anyone was really rude to Arsene. On Kremlin TV everyone was polite. So what was cut?
We shouldnt assume it was abusive just because Wenger and directors didnt like the questions
We shouldnt assume it was abusive just because Wenger and directors didnt like the questions
Re: Why I will not be marching for Wenger
Posted by: Gunners R Us (IP Logged)
Date: 24/05/2009 08:08
where and what marche is this? the one which starts from the rocket?
Re: Why I will not be marching for Wenger
Posted by: Padre Pio (IP Logged)
Date: 24/05/2009 09:58
there is only one - starts 3-15 pm
Re: Why I will not be marching for Wenger
Posted by: HappyGooner (IP Logged)
Date: 25/05/2009 14:51
Remember, once Wengers leaves, is back to the good old days of Boring Boring Arsenal.
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