After the worst start under Arsene Wenger, Arsenal Football Club and their fans alike are currently torn as to whether or not the long-serving Frenchman should remain at the helm. After everything Wenger has done for Arsenal he will no doubt be remembered as an Arsenal legend, but has Le Professeur's gloarious tenure finally come to an end?
Wenger won the Premier League three times with Arsenal, playing some breath-taking football which of course included the unbeaten season – and played a huge impact in the changing of English football.
Yet, any Gooner watching the defeat to Swansea this past weekend, must have felt that the end was approaching, surely?
The fact that Arsenal overachieved last season and finished third is a point that any Arsenal fan must realise. And with their hopes of Champions League football diminishing every week – the club could somewhat be placed in a crisis.
However, as a realist fan - if you look at Arsenal this season they have already secured a place in the last 16 of the Champions League for the 13th successive season, are in the last eight of the Capital One Cup, with a semi final looking likely, and although they currently lie 10th in the Premier League – they are only five points from Tottenham who are in fourth. The same Tottenham that Arsenal thrashed 5-2 last month.
Arsenal have the ability to finally end their eight year trophy drought with this season. No doubt every Arsenal fan would prefer a Premier League or UEFA Champions League – but ultimately it will run down to the League cup.
The question is, will Arsenal be able to find a good enough replacement for Arsene Wenger?Whether or not it is down to Wenger or the board to explain for Arsenal's woes, Wenger has been and still is one of the greatest Premier League managers. What other managers are out there that would want the Arsenal job? Guardiola? No. Mourinho? No.
Arsenal would have to put their trust into a young, up and coming manager and follow the same philosophy they took with Wenger. Roberto Martinez is a name that has been mentioned, and he may be brought into the side, but at just the age of 39 and with his only experience of top-flight managing fighting off the threat of relegation – is that who Arsenal fans really want? .
Obviously, the main reason Arsenal Football Club are stuttering is their recent transfer business. Thierry Henry, Patrick Vieira, Cesc Fabregas and Robin van Persie all have an emotional connection to both Wenger and Arsenal, but all, having considered the cold facts, chose to leave. They did so because they had a better chance of real success elsewhere – with Barcelona, Juventus, and Manchester United respectively..
The key to being a successful manager is the ability to adapt and change to the footballing world. Most notably, Sir Alex Ferguson. With his recent diamond formation being the greatest example. Fergie managed to get to top of English football. A great achievement. However, an even bigger feat is staying there. Arsenal got to the top, three times in fact – but failed to stay there.
Wenger will remain faithful to his policy of playing with youth, something that hasn’t served him or Arsenal Football Club well for eight long, trophy-less years.
Source: DSG
