One can write a book, a series or even make an entire trilogy about Arsenal's rise to glory, their successes and their decline. One man that has lasted through all of that is French master tactician Arsene Wenger. The "Professor", as he is often tagged, redefined Arsenal when he was appointed in 1996. He has created four generations of Arsenal players and the fifth one is up and running. The only man one that can match up to Sir Alex's record is Wenger. Staying with the same club for more 15 years says a lot about the man and his loyalty towards the club. He could have easily managed the French national team and lead them to greater heights, instead he stuck with Arsenal and took it as his duty to reshape the club and not leave the fans hanging.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger
If there is a club that I hate, it is Arsenal, even more than United since I am a Chelsea fan. But that's mainly due to Arsenal fans who believe Arsenal's recent misfortunes are all due to bad luck. To some extent yes, but not entirely. Let's not discuss Arsenal's illustrious years during the late nineties and the early 2000's. Everyone knows about that. It is also a well known fact that Arsenal have declined since 2005 and haven't won a trophy since then. What is the true reason for this? It is not bad luck. It is the periodic departure of important players. And who is to blame for all this? In my opinion its the clubs fault, maybe even the manager.
Tony Adams was the last truly loyal player to have played for Arsenal. He once said that if a contract extension was placed in front of him, he would sign it without even reading it. That's the kind of commitment that is lacking in Arsenal. In the summer of 2005, Patrick Vieira left for Juventus leaving Arsenal captain less. Why would someone who is a captain at a world class club leave for another? One reason might be that the board were not resolute enough in their efforts to keep him. Another reason might be that foreign players don't always feel the same loyalty for an English club as a homegrown English player.
Former Arsenal captain Tony Adams.
Well, whatever the reason maybe, he left and this started a trend that still continues. Pires, Henry, Ljunberg, Cambell, Ashley Cole and Wiltord all left and in the 2007/2008 season almost all of the invincibles were gone. In addition to that, the likes of Adebayor, Hleb and Nasri also left the club in subsequent years. One year back, another club captain, Fabregas left for Barcelona in search of trophies.
Patrick Vieira moved to Juventus from Arsenal in 2005.
Now, after an outstanding season with Arsenal, captain Van Persie also desires to leave the club. He stated his reason to be the club's future plans. If Van Persie leaves, Arsenal will be left with an inexperienced squad and will surely suffer since most of Arsenal's goals were scored or created by the Dutchman. Wenger can be blamed for one thing, not spending enough money on players. After the shift to the Emirates stadium, Arsenal had no reasons to complain since the revenue generated provided them with enough cash. But Wenger's reluctance to invest heavily in the transfer market has often stung Arsenal's title hopes. The bargain buys of the likes of Henry, Vieira, Bergkamp and Pires were a one time thing and the same formula does not work all the time. Wenger was able to tutor those young talents into world class players, but that's an old tradition now. Two other great examples are Van Persie and Fabregas.
It is true that Wenger has the ability to transform an ordinary player into a special one but that is not enough. It is important to invest in proven players. The only notable signings, after the invincibles, made by Wenger were Arshavin, Nasri, Adebayor, Rosicky and now Podolski, as far as I can remember. There was also a certain Marc Overmars and Dennis Bergkamp once. In comparison to Utd, Chelsea and Man City, its laughable, especially in today's game where the transfer market is hot with players up for the grabs. Arsenal's signing of Podolski is a strange one. Neither is he young nor is he on top of his game, he is not even French. Wenger might be a few years late there. Now, if Van Persie leaves, it will have a devastating effect on Arsenal's attacking pedigree. However the singing of French attacker, Olivier Giroud seems to be a promising one, after his performances with Montpellier and the French national team.
Now, after an outstanding season with Arsenal, captain Van Persie also desires to leave the club. He stated his reason to be the club's future plans. If Van Persie leaves, Arsenal will be left with an inexperienced squad and will surely suffer since most of Arsenal's goals were scored or created by the Dutchman. Wenger can be blamed for one thing, not spending enough money on players. After the shift to the Emirates stadium, Arsenal had no reasons to complain since the revenue generated provided them with enough cash. But Wenger's reluctance to invest heavily in the transfer market has often stung Arsenal's title hopes. The bargain buys of the likes of Henry, Vieira, Bergkamp and Pires were a one time thing and the same formula does not work all the time. Wenger was able to tutor those young talents into world class players, but that's an old tradition now. Two other great examples are Van Persie and Fabregas.
It is true that Wenger has the ability to transform an ordinary player into a special one but that is not enough. It is important to invest in proven players. The only notable signings, after the invincibles, made by Wenger were Arshavin, Nasri, Adebayor, Rosicky and now Podolski, as far as I can remember. There was also a certain Marc Overmars and Dennis Bergkamp once. In comparison to Utd, Chelsea and Man City, its laughable, especially in today's game where the transfer market is hot with players up for the grabs. Arsenal's signing of Podolski is a strange one. Neither is he young nor is he on top of his game, he is not even French. Wenger might be a few years late there. Now, if Van Persie leaves, it will have a devastating effect on Arsenal's attacking pedigree. However the singing of French attacker, Olivier Giroud seems to be a promising one, after his performances with Montpellier and the French national team.
New Arsenal signing Lukas Podolski
For the new season, Arsenal should have Wilshere back in action which will be a huge bonus. He is a great technical player and can prove to be the future of Arsenal as well as England. He also has the ability be a leader on the field and might be the future captain of Arsenal. If the Euros were anything to go by, Arshavin should also be back rejuvenated and in top form. Looking at the team now, Wenger will have to do a lot of work to muster a championship winning side. The idea is pretty far fetched but even if Van Persie leaves, Arsenal have the right ingredients to challenge for major trophies. The maturing of Walcott, the promise of Oxlade-Chamberlain and Frimpong could yet provide Arsenal with some hope.The key will be consistency and avoidance of injuries. One is forced to wonder if Arsenal could have won the league if they ever had an injury free season. We could find out next year. But first they need to contend with the likes of Chelsea, Manchester United and champions Manchester City.
For the new season, Arsenal should have Wilshere back in action which will be a huge bonus. He is a great technical player and can prove to be the future of Arsenal as well as England. He also has the ability be a leader on the field and might be the future captain of Arsenal. If the Euros were anything to go by, Arshavin should also be back rejuvenated and in top form. Looking at the team now, Wenger will have to do a lot of work to muster a championship winning side. The idea is pretty far fetched but even if Van Persie leaves, Arsenal have the right ingredients to challenge for major trophies. The maturing of Walcott, the promise of Oxlade-Chamberlain and Frimpong could yet provide Arsenal with some hope.The key will be consistency and avoidance of injuries. One is forced to wonder if Arsenal could have won the league if they ever had an injury free season. We could find out next year. But first they need to contend with the likes of Chelsea, Manchester United and champions Manchester City.
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