Introduction, Policy and Organising Part 1

  _{Thereafter, the most significant cause of Arsenal’s failure to win any trophy for the previous six seasons was the major change in the previously highly successful player recruitment policy – exacerbated by inexperience and an un-remedied lack of key competences in defensive players recruited and defensive coaching.   An incoherent implementation of club’s financial strategy was also apparent and, rather than adapt to developments elsewhere, Monsieur Wenger appeared to become increasingly resistant to change his policies.} 

 _{Performance objectives, targets and standards have not been made clear and the most serious deficiencies found were in monitoring and reviewing progress against verbally declared objectives.  There has been a repeated failure to take significant action over obvious failings and prioritise the necessary remedial actions.  Director leadership and accountability remained largely absent – even after a very significant change as the American Mr E. Stanley Kroenke, the preferred bidder, assumed ownership of the club.  Nevertheless, Monsieur Wenger continued to enjoy an unprecedented level of trust and power and the so called self-sustainability model remained along with unpopular high levels of supporter-pricing.}  

_{Since my first report - despite prior assurances from Monsieur Wenger to the contrary - the club’s two star players did choose to leave.  Senor Fabregas was sold to his Spanish home club (for a very good profit, albeit less than many anticipated) and Monsieur Nasri to foreign owned and well-funded, ambitious, rivals Manchester City (for a reasonable profit, and reuniting him with their previous Arsenal signing Monsieur Clichy). Monsieur Wenger’s excellent record of European Champions League qualification survived a difficult two-legged qualifying match with comfort.  Unfortunately, concerns over the high risk start to the season were realised: a disastrous Premier League campaign start reached a remarkable nadir with an 8 – 2 defeat at Manchester United.}

_Policy

_{Mr Kroenke, resides in Colorado U.S.A and has substantial sports business interests there as the Owner and Governor of Kroenke Sports Enterprises, LLC.  Having, as part of his offer, “committed to continue to operate the club in line with Arsenal’s existing self-sustaining business model”, Mr Kroenke has not appeared to seek any changes in the direction of club.  Indeed, at the AGM, Mr Kroenke stressed his support for Monsieur Wenger and the senior management of the club, “[The club] has tremendous management at the top, a wonderful manager on the pitch who makes great decisions in regard to personnel”.  Chief Executive Ivan Gazidis, despite his tenure coinciding with Arsenal’s trophy drought, has hailed the club as a role model for others.}

_{The on-going determination to rein in player recruitment expenditure and avoid excessive player salary payments was in evidence when Senor Arteta joined the club on 31 August, the last day of the transfer window.  He took a significant cut in wages from his previous employers, Everton - who are known to be operating under severe financial restrictions.   Following the defeat by Manchester United, as we will see, there was evidence of a modest change to the recruitment policy.}

_Organising

 _{The long-standing, relatively un-heralded, first team coaching staff remained in situ.  Old failings remained.  Issues concerning the competences of defensive players have again been compounded by failures in other players’ positional awareness after conceding possession.   These problems reached catastrophic proportions in the record 8 – 2 defeat.  The problem of being unable to retain winning positions and close out matches has also remained with mental frailties and lapses of concentration evident – particularly, now, away from home.} 

 _{There are also on-going concerns over the extent of both the tactical analysis of opponents and offensive coaching as a consequence of the change in style from Monsieur Wenger’s first period of quicker, more direct, albeit technically skilled, football to the slower short passing game now preferred.  There are also concerns that there is a very significant over-reliance on the goal scoring of (previously injury-prone) Meneer Van Persie.}   

 _{Following the long-term injury of the young star midfield player, Mr Wilshere, there have again been concerns, not least by former England Manager Signore Capello, over the competence of the current Arsenal medical team.  The matter is beyond the scope of this report.  Although it can be noted that, given the alleged over-use of Mr Wilshere, there have also been question marks over the over-reliance on Mr Ramsey this season and fears over the fate of emerging young talent Oxlade-Chamberlain.}

 _{In terms of individual competences, some notable successes have been apparent in the development of players recruited under the new player recruitment policy.  Finally remedying a longstanding problem since Herr Lehman first left the club, and following the eventual almost total exclusion of Senor Almunia, pan Szczesny’s development has advanced to the extent he is the undisputed first choice (but only competent) goalkeeper and, despite the inevitable occasional misjudgements, has had a very good season (especially when compared to Manchester United’s struggling £18m young recent signing Senor De Gea).  And whereas last season’s (£9.7m) signing Monsieur Koscielny had a mixed debut season (though not without promise) adjusting to the rigors of the Premier League, this season he has progressed to the extent that he has been probably the best defensive player (in an ever-shifting defence that has been beset by injuries).  The defensive (‘holding’) midfield player Mr Song has continued to develop and added some further offensive competences.} 

_{On a less positive note, three members of Monsieur Wenger’s second period protégés ultimately failed to demonstrate the necessary competences to repay the considerable faith Monsieur Wenger’s invested in them.  Rather, they have been sold, or allowed to leave the club on loan and appear (particularly given their criticism of the club) unlikely to return:  Messrs. Eboue, Bendtner and Denilson.  Indeed, enormous faith was invested in Mr Denilson, and the signing of suitable established Premier League players such as Senor Alonso again not proceeded with for fear of damaging his development.  Yet, unfettered by competition from such signings, such development expectations also failed to materialise – and a vital opportunities to bolster the current team’s chances of success lost.} 

_{As for the issues with players promoted to Club captain publically going off-message from Monsieur Wenger and club policies, these seem to have largely subsided.  Albeit, there was, very recently, an apparent display of captain’s dissent over a substitution (which did prove to have a negative outcome) in the home defeat by Manchester United.  However, the exemplary new captain Maneer Van Persie, publically stressed his support for Monsieur Wenger afterwards.  There are concerns however, in light of his contract situation that he will be the third, much sought after, star player in his prime that may leave in pursuit of trophy winning success at the end of the season.}   

_{End of Part 1}

_{Part 2 Planning and Implementing here}

View a Printer Friendly version of this Story.