“I have never cared very much for personal prizes. A man does not become a freedom fighter in the hope of winning awards, but when I was notified that I had won the 1993 Nobel Peace Prize jointly with Mr de Klerk, I was deeply moved.”
This is how Nelson Mandela responded when asked about the prize he shared with FW de Klerk. It is humble in tone yet expresses his philosophy, but within the context of the moment. It is a very good answer to an honest question, considering its significance to many people but just imagine if he had gotten such a remark wrong? At the time, it would have been a very poor choice of worlds.
Arsene Wenger, the Napoleon as it were of Arsenal Football Club, is a man seen by the outside world as a slightly austere yet compassionate purveyor of football’s attractive side. His way has held sway at Highbury, then the Emirates after that. His way was the one that led to the Invincibles of the 2003/2004 season, where his side became only the second side after the Preston North End side of the 1880s to finish a top flight season in English football unbeaten.
His way has also led to players such as Thierry Henry and Cesc Fabregas to blossom on English soil. In that unbeaten season, Henry scored 30 girls at a time when Fabregas was just emerging as a first team player. Midfielder Robert Pires, now since retired, chipped in with 15 goals. That season followed double winning seasons for Wenger in 1997/1998 (his second in English football) and 2001/2002. The Frenchman has spent his managerial career in London building sides on the principle of high technical skill and attack, in contrast to his rivals such as Sir Alex Ferguson along with Rafael Benitez and Jose Mourinho (when they were still involved at Liverpool and Chelsea respectively) who are more pragmatic in their approach. It has led to a team capable of breathless attack. But a problem that has nagged the Gunners over the past few seasons has been their inability to hold the line as well as they maraud forward. Their 2-1 defeat to Bolton underlines their season: so much promise, but like years before, very little reward. The last silverware to grace their trophy cabinet was the 2005 FA Cup and apart from Fabregas and striker Robin van Persie, no one else in his squad (also excusing goal keeper Jens Lehmann, who has been picked up by Arsenal due to an injury crisis within their selection of goalkeepers) has tasted the sweet nectar of victory in a major competition.
That is a long time for a club that became as good if not better than all the clubs in England during the early 2000s. Though Wenger maintains an almost god-like status among Arsenal supporters, there is a type of disquiet spreading across the legions of Arsenal’s fans that suggests they are slowly, ever so slowly, losing patience with Wenger. Yes, he did bring Arsenal unmatched glory but considering what the club has achieved in the past, the wait for success has been too long.
Wenger and the Gunners have had to contend with a Premier League that has been muscled into by foreign owners with large cheque books creating a field of disparity between the Big Four, let alone the rest of the league. Manchester City for example has spent more money on players over the last two season than Wenger has spent since he joined Arsenal over 13 years ago. Arsenal were the last big independent club as recently as a month ago but have since been bought out in the most part by American business Stan Kroenke. Before the takeover, Arsenal financed their move to the Emirates Stadium on their own pound and in comparison to their rivals are in a far healthier financial position. Still, for the clubs fans, such security should translate into big spending on the transfer market to plug the large holes in Wenger’s squad. Since Lehmann’s first spell with the club, he hasn’t been able to find a goalkeeper as consistent since. The likes of Fabregas and co have continued to blossom under Wenger’s tutelage, along with the dynamic Russian Andrei Arshavin being added to the stocks. But in comparison to their rivals Wenger has spent next to nothing in keeping his squad competitive and near the summit of the Premier League. He has complained that the market is inflated, which it is, but for those demanding trophies, it is the same old story.
For that he should be lauded in a way since few managers would’ve had the ability to do such a feat and keep their side competitive to the point of being one of the best if not the best. But now the time is approaching where even his most ardent supporters must be wondering at the back of their minds what the future holds for Arsenal Football Club once Wenger departs.
Wenger’s latest contract extension means he will be at the club, unless something dramatic happens, till 2014. But can Arsenal wait that long till they win some silverware again? Their League Cup final loss to Birmingham was a shock result since many considered it the Gunner’s destiny to end their trophy drought. In the final against Alex McLeish’s physical Birmingham team Arsenal were found wanting, their sparkling football failed to ignite.
This season is already gone regardless of what emerges from the Emirates in terms of fighting talk. And with Wenger indicating that he won’t be intending on spending too much during the off season, Arsenal supporters will be wondering what next season holds. Their team’s soft underbelly has been cruelly exposed, especially since the “Rock of Belgium” Thomas Vermaelen has been on the sidelines, with rumours circulating that an exodus awaits Wenger and his charges due to the lack of trophies at Highbury.
Wenger, regardless of how the rest of his time at Arsenal is served, will be one of the best managers to ever come to England. He was the first of the foreign legion of managers to take on the Premier League and win. He was the man who masterminded the Invincibles incredible season and the philosophy his team pursues is a pleasure to watch when on song. However, playing the best brand of football means nothing if trophies aren’t filling up the boardroom. Wenger should see out his remaining years at Arsenal. But if he were to suddenly depart, would the football masses be really surprised?
Time is running out and let’s hope he and his side find its groove next season. A team as good as Arsenal need to win more to show the rest of the league that playing the beautiful game in the beautiful way is a path towards constant success.
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