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Short-sighted fans must show they trust Arsene Wenger
James Olley19 May 2009
A meaningless match against Stoke has taken on huge proportions for Arsene Wenger and Arsenal. With the season over, the Gunners guaranteed fourth spot in the Premier League and Tony Pulis's team assured of their status in the top flight for another year, it was expected to feel more like a friendly.
Yet the atmosphere at Emirates Stadium could now go a long way towards deciding Wenger's future at the club.
At the start of April, with his team in the semi-final of the FA Cup and Champions League, it would have seemed absurd to suggest that come the end of the campaign the Frenchman may be hounded out by his own fans. That now is the painful reality.
Wenger is not a happy man and the criticism he received during last week's shareholders' question-and-answer session has clearly hit him hard.
So hard, that he has openly courted Real Madrid on French television by suggesting that, if re-elected, Florentino Perez will be putting together an interesting 'project'.
Emmanuel Adebayor, who now seems destined to leave after Sunday's game, has moaned about being booed by his own supporters - if the same happens to Wenger and the Gooners turn on him again, he may decide to follow the Togo striker out of the door.
After 13 years and seven trophies, that would be a sad indictment for Arsenal's followers. Now, more than ever, they need to show their backing for a man who has made the club what it is today.
Lee Dixon believes those fans who have turned on Wenger are "short-sighted" and that the 59-year-old should be shown the respect he deserves during Sunday's final match of the season.
Dixon, who made over 450 appearances for the club and won two Doubles under Wenger before retiring in 2002, said: "I am gobsmacked that people have started calling for his head. People are very short-sighted. It's the modern-day supporter who wants success yesterday.
"Yes, we have gone four seasons without a trophy and have been off the pace in the Premier League this season, which is Wenger's trophy priority. He is as frustrated as anyone else. The balance in the team isn't quite right and now Andrey Arshavin has come in, that gives them another attacking option which can only be a good thing.
"He feels the frustration just like anyone else. He has produced one of the best training grounds in the world, one of the best stadiums in the world and some of the most attractive football ever been played. And people still just say, we haven't won anything? They just have to be a bit more patient. I want him to succeed because I can't speak highly enough of him and about how he goes about running a football club. When he came he was going to get rid of us all because we were 32. I ended up playing until I was 38 - six years under him and I won two Doubles
"He is a man of integrity and he does not deserve to be treated in this way by a section of his own fans."
Gunners chairman Peter Hill-Wood also felt the flak being aimed in Wenger's direction was the last thing the manager needed at such a sensitive time.
"Frankly, some of the questions were quite disgraceful," he said. "There you have the most successful manager in our history and two or three of the shareholders made the most negative and somewhat hostile and sarcastic comments, which I think were completely out of order.
"I was very upset by the questions, I have to say. We, and he, kindly agreed to have this meeting and whether we have another one is a moot point.
"Arsene was very diplomatic and honest in his answers and deserves great credit for that. But I wouldn't have been anything like as polite if they had asked me."
Wenger has repeatedly stressed he will honour his contract, which runs out in 2011, but the fans' reaction coupled with a limited transfer budget may have prompted something of a rethink.
Intrinsically linked to his summer plans will be the decision whether to off-load Adebayor and remodel his Arsenal side.
The striker has hugely underperformed this season but could still command a fee in the region of £20million, with Jose Mourinho's Inter Milan reportedly joining rivals AC Milan in the race to sign the 25-year-old.
Blackburn's Roque Santa Cruz, Liverpool's Xabi Alonso and Brede Hangeland, of Fulham, remain transfer targets but the current transfer kitty of £15m is simply insufficient to land all but the latter player.
The situation would, of course, be different in Spain but Wenger must also consider that Real are not traditionally the type of club who would indulge him in his philosophy of persevering with young players.
Perez would back him with considerable funds but the 59-year-old has often conveyed his dislike for spending big money to 'buy success'.
Staying put would therefore be the ultimate statement of Wenger's often-cited faith in his youngsters that they can compete for Premier League and Champions League glory.
How the crisis has escalated for the Gunners manager
Arsene Wenger's troubles with Arsenal fans follow a series morale-sapping setbacks which have seen the Gunnners finish the season with a whimper . . .
8 April William Gallas is ruled out for the season after knee ligament damage in the 1-1 Champions League draw with Villarreal. His presence was missed in the key games which followed and highlighted Wenger's failure to sign a quality centre-half. Manuel Almunia was injured in the same match, leading to the unreliable Lukasz Fabianski being handed the gloves for a spell.
18 April Arsenal took the lead before losing 2-1 against Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-final. Wenger is criticised by fans for failing to start new signing Andrey Arshavin, even though he was cup-tied for the Champions League.
5 May A one-sided Champions League semi-final was over inside 11 minutes of the second leg at Emirates as Manchester United took full advantage of frailties in Arsenal's defence. The Gunners were swept aside 3-1 after being lucky to escape with a 1-0 defeat at Old Trafford.
10 May Chelsea confirm third place in the Premier League and their position as London's top club this season with a 4-1 hammering of Arsenal at Emirates. It was the Gunners' worst home league defeat for 32 years.
14 May The manager comes under fire from angry Arsenal fans at a question-and-answer session at Emirates. Wenger's team selections and his transfer decisions were both attacked but the Frenchman hit back at the fans, saying they had a “negative way of thinking”.
Reader views (21)
I think we only get the information which the board want us to hear.
A.W. is been used as a fall guy at the moment and is taking all the backlash from the fans. The board are not giving A.W. the full backing.
So hopefully as the season draws to an end,
A.W. lets see you making it clear from the start that, Adebayor, Eboue, Silvestre, Gallis, RVP can all leave at the right price, just like a car boot sale, then that will give you time to eye-ball replacements,
Song played well with Toure against Man U, BUT THEY WERE NOT TRYING.
I would like to see you buy 2 centre halfs, 1 x holding midfielder. and 1 x top draw forward, or move Theo into the middle. been out on the flank you might as well get him to sell Ice-creams to the fans.
You need to be looking at 4-1-2-3 formation
- Rgj Durch, GERMANY, 21/05/2009 09:43
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As usual the chairman shows his contemp for the fans who spend money to watch their beloved team home and away. The Board are only interested in making a profit for the
major shareholders. Why is there a lack of investment in the team when AFC have two of the worlds richest men on the Board. Why has the American aledgedly not attended a home game this season? How much does DHW pay to attend games, home and away ? Hoe much have the DHW family ever put into the Club? Why was Dein sacked ? Bring back Dein as Chairman!
- Steve, Stevenage, 19/05/2009 21:24
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I for one also am a real gooner.What is happening at our club is very inexplainable.Seeing teams like Chelsea being on top of us is something that sickens me and being scared of teams like Aston Villa and Everton is something I can't handle.We need something big to happen soon and very soon.We have so many young players that got no heart to play in a big game.Sell some of them and add the money to get someone whose gonna help us win something.Most players we have are just happy to kick the ball they don't care if they lose or not.It's Wengers problem and the Boards' problem.They all know what they did to get this team in this mess and instead of blaming it on one person,they owe us all an explanation before anyone thinks of leaving.Their are so many good players that can do good than the current crop we got.
- Prcs Mbesa, Blantyre,Malawi, 19/05/2009 21:16
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lets all laugh at the ARSE-nil from a SPURS FAN
- Steven Woodfordgreen, london, 19/05/2009 15:32
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Anyone even suggesting that AW should leave has a problem, he has done so much for the club & can continue to do much more. We are competing with teams with more financial clout than us, yet can still match them with a younger team, who can only get better. We have been unlucky with injury such as Gallas' injury right before out most important games of the season. If djourou had not also got injured at the wrong times this season, we would not have had required Silvestre (who is shocking i will happily admit) to play.
Any Arsenal 'fan' who believes AW should go is merely an investor demanding an immidiate success, not a fan.
I am upset that from what was at one point looking like a very bad season, ended up having so much to look forward to being in two semi finals, our season ended on a low note.
With a few more signings, which will come this summer, we will be even better. & Considering we were in two semi's & 4th in the league without really performing consistenly, who knows what season will bring.
- Adam, A True, Lifelong Arsenal Fan, Islington, 19/05/2009 14:49
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Whilst it is outrageous to levy all the criticism at Wenger and/or question whether he should continue in his role, it is quite right to question his judgement in certain areas. Before the start of the season, everyone was stating that Arsenal needed a strong centre half and a hard working midfielder both with experience. Wenger’s own prognosis of the season suggests this is why the season actually unhinged. So the question should be, will he repeat the same mistake? As for the Arsenal Board, they are despicable. By continually failing to go out on a limb and back Wenger with the necessary funds is scandalous. They are happy for Wenger to achieve fourth place on a limited budget as it suits them having saddled the club with an enormous level of debt. Hill Wood etc are the main culprits in my view.
- Nk, Hemel Hempstead, 19/05/2009 14:30
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Well done Mr Culshaw at last a real Gooner and comments that are in persepctive. Man U, Liverpool & Chelsea are £1.6 billion in debt and having to re-gear the financing - do you really want to end up like Leeds. Wenger has changed the culture of the club, new training facilities, new ground and complete football. If you dont like it become a fair weather fan and support Man U or Liverpool. True gooners remember the old days on the North bank singing 1 nil to the arsenal. I for one dont want to go back to those days Mr Wenger please stay ignore the minority of idiots.
- Alan West, London England, 19/05/2009 14:18
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Wenger won't leave. He's not a contract-breaker. However, if he's going to wind down the last couple of years of his contract by serving us up more of what we've had the last couple of years then he should perhaps go now.
What should be obvious is that Wenger and the club are at a crossroads. For Wenger, the question is whether he believes he has taken the club as far as he can and, if not, can he convince the board to back him in the market so he is able to buy precisely the personnel the club needs. As for the board, will they stump up the cash required to push Arsenal forward? They continue to infer there's a huge pile of cash available that Wenger refuses to spend but, when you see them haggling over relatively minor sums - as they did in the protracted transfer of Arshavin and the non-transfer of Xavi Alonso - then their credibility comes into question.
Wenger's recent harsh treatment by those supporters was inappropriately expressed, but understandable. The team is clearly too young, its frailties are apparent and we are constantly told to wait for them to emerge as a dominant force. We've heard the same thing for the past two years.
If Wenger and the board want to get then fans on board then the club should let the fans know there's a good deal more than 15 million available for new signings. Arsene's job is to then go out and spend that money. All we fans need to see is a bit more ambition and we'll back Wenger and the board to the hilt.
- Speed Racer, Tokyo, Japan, 19/05/2009 13:54
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I think the Arsenal fans are worried that Fulham will be chasing the coveted title of "second-best team in London" next season.
Simple fact is that Wenger has won nothing for years and would have been sacked at any other ambitious club.
- Simon, London, N5, 19/05/2009 13:48
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I first watched asrenal in 1971 and have been to many hundred's of games home and away,also abroard.from that time until today,we(arsenal)have never had any where near the standard of football,or stature in the game as we do now.pre-1997 all arsenal fans would be more than pleased and would never have thought or dreamed what has happend to the club since.these share-holders are short-sighted, aside from very rude about the progress arsene has made.two semi's and forth place is deemed as a success to many clubs.do i realy have to remind people that it is only the second time we have reached the semi-final of C/L in our history.if arsenal choose to go down the road of having a sugar-daddy with hundred's of millions to spend like many other clubs then so be it.but for me and many REAL GOONERS, that would be a mistake.I do not know of any arsenal supporters who want Arsene out.Arsene please listen to the real fans and not some people who never watched arsenal until 1998!!!
- Mark Culshaw, Harlow,essex,, 19/05/2009 13:15
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I think the whole thing has been blown out of proportion. Surely Wenger cannot complain at a few genuine comments about signings such as Silvestre, and the lack of defensive cover which has been apparent for the past 2 seasons. The big question is : Does he have the funds or not ? Nobody comes out and gives a definitive answer ! If his funds are strictly limited then the Board should come out and say so, instead of implying that the money is there and its Wenger who won't spend it ! As season ticket holders spending thousands on our tickets surely we are entitled to know this before renewing our tickets.
- Mike Perry, Dartford, 19/05/2009 13:01
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Fans should cheer Wenger to the rafters on Sunday and show him that while he has made mistakes and we would like to win things he must sign again and take us forward. However they should booooo the life out of Adepaymemore -if he plays -and sing sack the board so they know how we feel!
- Spider, Essex uk, 19/05/2009 13:00
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This is all nonsense. Arsene does not break contracts- he will go nowhere. The Stoke game on sunday is just a meaningless end of season match. Wenger has made a few mistakes this year and fans are entitled to show their frustration at the lack of progress. However I think that Arsenal are only 2 experienced players short of being a very good team and if we get them I fully expect us to be challenging for all the major honours next season.
- Nick Stembridge, London, 19/05/2009 12:09
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Arsene Wenger upset because some of the fans have been having a pop at him?
After winning nothing for four years, continuely buying cheap central defenders who are not good enough, continuely buying cheap midfielders who are too young to play in the Premiership?
Arsene Wenger upset? He's lucky to still have a job. He's not as good as he thought he was thats what!
- Harry Jones, Barnet, 19/05/2009 11:45
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What blew it for Arsenal was dropping points early in the season to teams like Hull, Fulham and Stoke. On their day, this Arsenal team can be brilliant. Trouble is there don't seem to be enough days! Yes we could, maybe should, get rid of Wenger, but who could replace him? (And don't say Tony Adams!).
- Chris, Brighton, England., 19/05/2009 11:30
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I agree with Lee Dixons comments,it is well out of order to treat the manager in this way,I dont put the blame on Wenger I would personally put the blame on players such as the under performing Adebayor who has got the talent but is lazy and mercenary,he should be sold asap.When Wenger has been given limited funds by the board which has been having problems with internal factions fighting for control of the club he has bought shrewdly Arshavin and Nasri are good examples of that.Some supporters are saying sell Fabregas,it is players like this we do not need to be selling,these players Cesc,Denilson,Clichy,Walcott,Gibbs,Van Persie,Arshavin,Nasri,Eduardo,Song,Diaby,Sangna are the foundation of a great team,with a good keeper behind them and four new players Arsenal are not far from getting the right mix.I stood on the Clockend of Highbury for 30 years most of them lean years until managers like George Graham and Arsene Wenger came along and put club up there with Man Utd and Liverpool.I visited the Emirates earlier in the Season and found the ground lacking atmosphere and supporters that were negative and were even booing one of our own players,this new breed of Arsenal supporter is a lot different to the Highbury crowd,my guess is that many of the real local supporters mainly working class have been priced out of the stadium by the high ticket prices.It is a diabolical liberty that Wenger is being dug out by certain sections at Arsenal,I hope he stays for ten more years.
- Jim Ex Pat,Islington N1, thailand, 19/05/2009 11:12
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I don't know why all this fuss because a few supporters spoke out.You need to ask AW , why he continues changing
the team every match.Why he kept the same time against Man United in the second leg when they were so bad in the first.Why he insists on playing players out of position and nearly always, players do not like it.
A.Messina
- A.Messina, Malta, 19/05/2009 11:09
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Maybe Arsenal fans should simply stop EXPECTING to win trophies? Arsenal have no divine right to win trophies because they are a big club, just as Newcastle have no divine right to remain in the premier league because they are a big club. As a fan you have to take the rough with the smooth and that makes the good times even more enjoyable. Last weekend there were Arsenal fans moaning at Wenger. The next day you could hear West Brom fans still cheering their team on despite going 2-0 down to Liverpool and being relegated.
Poor old Arsenal have only qualified for the Champions league this season, something most other teams will never ever do in their history. Wenger has built a squad from youth that is the blueprint to other managers and clubs such as Zola at West Ham. In these difficult times, that is exactly the right policy to persue. It has been proven with the likes of Wenger and Ferguson that sticking with your manager usually gains success and if you continually change managers then you may well end up like Newcastle who have gotten through so many managers in the last 10 years.
Be careful what you wish for.
- Paul R, London, 19/05/2009 10:58
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I think Arsene will get a taste of the feelings of all real Arsenal supporters on Sunday. He will be left in no doubt about how we feel about him.
In Arsene we trust!
"If you boo - don't renew"
- Fred, Enfield, 19/05/2009 10:43
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Wenger deserves better supporters.
- Alex C, London, 19/05/2009 10:34
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I believe most if not all Arsenal fans respect Wenger and are grateful for what he has done but to be fair they have given him plenty of time...years infact and for the fifth year now the club has failed to win a trophy and have slipped into fourth place. The question fans are asking if Wenger stays in charge what will chnage next year to improve our chances? If little changes then there is ever likelyhood that we won't win a trophy for a sixth year! What fans want is this: Either improve your team, coaching or tactics...either way something needs to improve!
- Richard, Crawley, 19/05/2009 10:34
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