So it’s been a while since I’ve put pen to paper...or
fingers to keys. This has been for various reasons, time being the most
dominant. This weekend’s results however have given me that urge to get my
thoughts about the club and its position out there.
I’m not going to go into a review of the game mainly because
I was working and couldn’t watch it thus probably saving my TV from numerous missiles,
also because after a performance like that is there really anything to review? We
were shit in every aspect. Every aspect needs to improve. Do I have the
coaching ability or the opportunity to influence that? No, so I’m not going to
waste my time on it.
For the first half on the season we were in our own little
slice of heaven. We’ve spent a lot of time at the top of the league, we were
still pinching ourselves at Ozil coming in and things were looking good. There were
still the murmurings of disappointment that we hadn’t bought a striker in the
summer and doubts about Giroud’s ability to get us through a season. But as we
were top of the league and still in the major competitions we were prepared in
the most to let those issues slide a little.
Now though, the paper over the cracks has become thin, damp
and mould are setting in and the foundations holding the club up are looking
shaky. I’ve defended Giroud before saying he does a lot for the team, bringing
midfield players in to score goals etc. That was when he was still getting a
few goals here and there. I think it’s evident that he’s not the man to be
leading the line and replacement is desperately needed.
At the start of the season there was the early talk of
Wenger’s contract situation which sparked two dominant view points. If he won a
trophy we’d love him to stay, if not then thanks for everything but now is the
time to move on. The later is a view that Gav from @shewore has held for some
time now regardless of any silverware, It’s also now something we share. For me
and I think I can speak for Gav as well, even if we won the FA cup I’m not sure
it could/should save Wenger. If anything it would be a great send off.
He’s been fantastic for the club and brought it so much
success but like everything, his time has come. Perhaps it could have been
postponed had it not been for his frustrating stubbornness. Not spending over
the odds is a good thing most of the time but when you’re bidding against title
rivals for a player you’re going to have to pay over the odds to get a player. If
he helps you towards a title then you haven’t paid too much. Everything has to
be his way and when it doesn’t work out, there’s no plan B or change, it’s
straight back to the same old same old miraculously expecting a different
result.
In our away games to the top 6 (City, Chelsea, Liverpool,
United and Everton) we have won none, we have been on the end of some absolute
thrashings and what has changed? The team is set up in the same way each time,
how can you expect different results? It’s like turning your toaster up to the
max and being astounded that every time your toast is burnt (bit of a Mourinho
type analogy there, apologies). Like I said I’m not qualified as a coach so I
have no authority to say what would work but changing a losing system gives you
more chance than repeating the same mistakes over and over again. We’ve been
out classed by our title rivals. They have all moved with an evolving game and
Arsenal and Arsene have stayed behind.
When Arsene came to English football he was bringing new
technology and ideas which evolved football and the players. Now that
technology and ideas are standard in all top flight football. Someone else is
bringing the new ideas to the table and that’s what we need. I’ve long said
that we shouldn’t move to sack Wenger and I still believe that. However, now is
a great time to search for a replacement so that they have the whole summer to
work with the team and bring in any players they need.
Fergie left because he’d taken the club as far as he could. I
think Wenger should do the same. I’d much rather that than it come down to some
ridiculous “Wenger out” campaign at matches. Arsenal are far too classy to fly
a plane over the emirates with a banner on the back. I just wish that Wenger
and the club realise that it’s been a great run but maybe now’s the time to
call it a day. It’s going to have to happen at some point I just hope it’s done
with class, head held high and hopefully with an FA cup winner’s medal in hand.
If that isn’t the case and Wenger signs on for another 2+
years I can see fans losing patience and it could get ugly. I for one will not
be spending £90 on a club shirt if I know that money isn’t going to be invested
in the team. I know many people will feel the same thing. Season ticket holders are already voicing to
the club where they can stick their renewals because as I have stated they are
fed up of seeing the same mistakes and the same results. What will happen? Men closer
to club than 99.99% of us won’t have clue and I don’t think anyone will until
the end of the season. The fact remains that if we want a change in our results
and a change in our position against our rivals we need to change ourselves. I just
don’t believe Wenger can/will change leaving only one option.
Hopefully this hasn’t come across as a rant it’s been under
the surface for a while now but 0 wins in 3 will bring it out. Please comment
and share and hopefully I can keep the writing bug going again.
