I haven’t worked out a witty, pithy column name for this one yet (You Lucky People? A Bit Of Luck? Lucked Out?) but Andrew (@luckietwit / arsenalandrew) is back with some more thoughts
There is a point in the life-cycles of football clubs when the concrete need for change in leadership presents itself. Before that point is reached, there is a phase when the perception of the need for change first dawns. The degree to which these points are separated could be debated until the cows come home.
Why do football club managers get replaced? What causes change, aside from an obvious trigger event such as a higher league left under the cloud of relegation? Two underlying conditions are found: confidence and trust. As confidence fades and trust bids a fond farewell, the ‘mandate’ from the followers is lost.
Ironically, for most fans of ‘lesser’ clubs, the presence of Trust and Confidence in their clubs is often in reverse configuration to that normally to be found at the ‘bigger’ clubs. In other words, the vast majority of fans in the wider world of football are, somewhat perversely, confident that their club will continue to fail to win the league and, in all likelihood, will continue to not win any cups. They have the utmost trust in their clubs to deliver on that expectation, and, season in, season out, they are rarely disappointed.
Where things tend to get messy is when clubs that HAVE previously won ‘things’, stop winning. For example, the fans of the current champions of Europe have neither trust nor confidence in their latest temporary manager and it would seem Rafa’s tenure at The Bridge is likely to be fleeting even by Chelsea’s remarkable standards. Still today, the fans of Liverpool are agonizing over the loss of their club’s pre-eminence in the league of the 1980s.
Sir Alex Ferguson seemed set to retire from management a few years ago after his own powers appeared to be on the wane. That he eventually changed his mind and is today still firmly in charge at Old Trafford is not without significance for either Mrs. Ferguson or Arsenal.
In the case of Sir Alex, whilst there was a point in which the fans of the club may have had their confidence in the man challenged, their trust in him, I’d argue, was never compromised. Ever. They always knew – and most still know – he would only ever do the right thing for the club – whether that results in his retirement or in the continuation of his exceptional reign.
The fundamental problem confronting Arsenal in this regard is that the complexity of the footballing universe in which AFC inhabits has made it uniquely difficult for the fans of the club to judge matters. The move from Highbury introduced an entirely new dimension to the club’s affairs that the fans and the staff of the club at all levels have been wrestling with ever since. Surprisingly, as fans of the club, we are today more likely to have our views on the club ‘attacked’ by fellow fans of Arsenal rather than the fans of other clubs. And this compromise in our ability to understand what is actually going on is the background under which we have all labored for what is now fast approaching an entire decade.
With something like furniture, it is often possible to patch up an item with a crack in it but the original will never appear quite as strong as when it was in its original condition – at least in our minds. An antique chair leg, broken off with age, can in theory be reattached any number of times but doubt will always persist as to its ability to avoid a future collapse.
But for Arsenal fans, unlike pretty much the fans of all other clubs, it’s NOT merely a question of Trust and Confidence in the manager. As fans, we’re not even sure Arsene’s antique leg has ever actually been broken.
Those two sides of the coin of consent – Confidence and Trust – have been tarnished by the need, on the part of the fan, for some kind of grasp on the wider ‘macro-economic’ background within which the club sits. A grasp on the regulatory aspects of Financial Fair Play would also help. As would an appreciation of the ‘politics’ of FFP too, in making a judgement on whether it will even be enforced, and if so, how, when, and with what effect.
A knowledge of player contracts and the role of agents is, of course, a must have.
And all of this, coupled with the intense debate that goes to the very core of the Club’s ownership, has conspired to disrupt our usual ability to decide whether, in fact, in Arsene we DO still trust. Let alone retain our confidence in him.
What fans see, as the darkest of footballing autumns gives way to an uncertain winter is a level of discontent breaking out that has rarely ever been associated with the club. But upon what, exactly – and upon whom – is this discontent founded?
Over several seasons, a succession of much loved and hugely admired stars – whose names are STILL to be seen on the shirts across our backs on match days – have left the club. That there is – and has always – been a conveyor belt of talent offering up the next generation of idols appears no longer to be enough for the fan base. The stress on the players of the annual adjustment in playing style caused by the influx of new faces results time and again in disruption to our progress in league and cup and manifests in near catastrophic dips in form sufficient for ever-increasing numbers of fans to lose hope as the club squanders vital points and falls out of competitions we all feel we could be winning.
The outpouring of fan anger and emotion is akin to a footballing volcano finally exploding after years of a steady build up in pressure.
Regardless of how we might judge such actions, the mere existence of booing in the stadium, songs ‘against’ the manager, marches, black bags and scarves, is symbolic of the fissures that have opened up into huge cracks of furious dissent as ever-growing numbers of fans remove their ‘consent’ for the ‘right’ of the club to carry on in the old directions.
The point at which the club decides that the perception of the need for change has graduated into an actual requirement for it, may not yet be upon us. That the warning signs are clearly there for the club is beyond dispute. The ball remains firmly in their court. How they respond will dictate whether Arsene and the club replicates the recovery achieved by Sir Alex Ferguson or if, as fans, we go all Chelsea or Blackburn on them.
New players? New manager? New board or new ownership?
That’s what it all boils down to.
It was noticeable on Tuesday night that, despite the defeat, a very much second-string Arsenal side gave a full-strength Greek outfit serious problems in a competition for which our place in the second stage had already been booked. It has also become apparent to even the most ‘loyal’ of observers that the confidence of the Arsenal first team appears compromised by the very act of their turning up to play at the Emirates.
In these trying circumstances, the option to do nothing is itself likely to prove unsustainable.
The club, in the grip of fan unrest and a ‘home’ venue that is friendlier towards our opponents than our own players, is more likely, as it wrestles with circumstance, to spiral into ever-more dangerous operating territory.
I hesitate to say what I think SHOULD happen, as my grasp on all aspects of the club’s predicament is, in common, with most fans, full of holes and there’s little point in pretending otherwise.
I do however feel that if placed on a more level playing field, Arsene Wenger could yet deliver up the type of success played in the style we remember served by him and his teams not so long ago. In this respect, Arsene retains both my trust and my confidence.
I don’t actually think he would go but I would hate to see him driven out.
I firmly believe the problems Arsenal face are bigger than the current manager. In my view, bigger than ANY manager we might employ.
The question, rather, is simply this:
Is the CLUB big enough to level the playing field?
And if so, do we trust it to?
And if it even tries, will we have any confidence that it will succeed?
But if it can’t or won’t deliver the club to a better, more competitively stable place, as fans, where will that leave us?
Where will WE go from here?
’til Tomorrow
Is Arteta jaded?
In April 2011, when most Arsenal fans were still sleeping like babies in anticipation of the new upcoming trophy challenges, Arsene already knew that two of his best players would be leaving next summer. So, he started looking for a new combination of midfielders capable of replacing the departing talent. In the home league game against ManU the midfield trio consisted of Song, Ramsey and Wilshire. The manager tried to test a fluid formation of midfielders, with the familiar role of the physical anchor assigned to Song. Arsenal’s performance in this Sunday game, admittedly against a “jaded” ManU side after a midweek Cl game against Chelsea, was impressive, and the 1:0 victory convinced Arsene that his new young midfield was well equipped for the next season.
The summer though left Jack injured and unavailable for the entire campaign. Luckily, the Cl qualification against Udineze allowed to attract some good players in the last days of the transfer window, and so arrived Arteta to deputise for Jack. The singing turned out to be a success, with the tidy and experienced midfielder quickly finding an understanding with Song and playing a crucial role in Arsenal preserving its Cl status.
And so we come to the next summer, when Alex Song was quietly sold to Barsa, and no replacement arrived. Arsene’s idea was to rely on injury prone, but undoubtedly talented Diaby as the physically strong and dynamic midfielder in Arenal’s first eleven. And Arsenal’s impressive start of the season seemed to justify manager’s calculation.
… Diaby was injured in the sixth league game of the season against Chelsea. After more than 2 months of his absence, there is still no suggestion about the date of his return.
And so Arteta had to make up for Diaby’s loss, playing the role less suitable for him. The opponents immediately recognised the lack of physicality in Arsenal’s midfield and started targeting Arteta with tackles and pressure and causing nervousness in otherwise reliable Arteta’s game. The impact was not only defensive errors such as against Everton, but also a disruption in our link up play.
I doubt that Arteta is jaded. He is after all not an international player, and spends the international breaks in London Colney when his team mates around the world play for their countries. But I do think he is being played out of his position.
And Rosicky’s return may not help the matters. Our midfielders are too similar, technically strong but not imposing. Easy meat for any half decent Pl side.
Diaby, where are you? Come back, and everything will be forgiven
(Cries like a toddler …)
no george
you twisting it to sound simple..
the wage bill is flawed..
big time..
from the amount we pay them (less than at highbury) to the treatment of players nearing 30..
sagnas been the best right back in this league for 5 years and has 4-5 years left in him..hes happy here and wants to stay so why are we fucking about with one year extentions and holding off because hes had two leg breaks..even though the first wasnt that bad and the second was wengers fault for rushing him back while his leg was still healing with plates in it cos we wanted 4th and had no wingbacks and he didnt want to sign anyone in jan..
weve been through this before..how have diaby and rosicky had money and years thrown at them but sagnas not seen as a priority??
its bollox mate..utter bollox..
if he goes its the clubs fault..
wengers fault..
Simple ,then JJ.
Why dont they see that Bac should be given some of Rosicky’s and Diaby’s wage.
I mean if halfwits like us can see it why cant they .Are they blind?
not diabys and rosickys wage..
but what about the actual shite in the squad..what we paying them for?
to play once every two years?
i see..
poor us..
we can afford to have a dozen players like this hanging round doing fuck all but we cant afford to increase anyone elses wage becuase of it..poor us we just cant compete can we..150mil a year to play with and its just not fair
its easier just to get rid of the star players isnt it i suppose..
Just back from the pub.
Unfortunately not, Irish.
Rain buggered the apple crop in the UK.
However, I still have 20 gallons stored from last year.
You and JJ should talk more. You’ve got off on the wrong foot.
Just my opinion.
Night, night.
we dont want to upset the balance of the squad by offering theo 100k a week..
that will really piss off the likes of chamakh off
we cant be having that now can we..poor chamakh..
you greedy fucker theo..dont you realise we cant afford you and your goals and assists..
it will depress chamakh and we need room for when that superstar bendtner comes back from tearing it up in italy as well..
No ,we should give Theo his money .
And in uture we should tell players if they get injured ,old or dont fit the system we change to,that their wages will be given to Star players like Theo.
He could have had Jacks wage from last year .He did fuck all to earn that .Played less than Chamakh,fucking freeloader.
or we shouldnt try to put sticking plasters, cellotape and bubble gum to fix the cracks in the squad..
its turning out to be one hell of an expensive piece of bubble gum isnt it..
all those years in ‘fixing’ the squad..
it would have probably been cheaper to buy someone for 30mil..
Yes because we are just one player short .
That’s what you are saying ? Right?
C’Bob – Sorry to hear that about this years apple crop but very heartened to hear that you have managed to resist temptation and save so much from last years batch
As for JJ and I, it is all just banter and compared to many others, we tend to keep it civil. I know he is a Gooner, I do not doubt that at all, but we do differ greatly on many things with relation to The Arsenal and all that that entails. Not to mention the fact that he is obviously wrong 
Good news on the Sagna front but I still feel that he might leave if he cannot sort out his contract. A pity though, as he is an excellent player. Same goes for Theo. I think we should just up the offer for both and lock them in, even if for only 1 extra year in Sagna’s case. Jenks is a great prospect but right now we need Sagna’s experience, especially if we get our traditional draw against Barca in the CL.
JJ – Maybe we should get that bubblegum from Willie Wonka, you know, the one that never loses its flavor and lasts forever?
http://fourfourtwo.com/blogs/fourfourtwoview/archive/2012/12/04/behind-the-scenes-at-arsenal-fourfourtwo-spends-a-month-with-arsene-ivan-and-co.aspx
i mean, we could do with a more experienced keeper than mannone really to challenge sir chesny..
so where the fucks fabianski and all his thousands of pounds a week for being shit hot..
or is he waiting to go to watford like our other world class, well paid keeper did?
george
at this point becuase of all the years of mismanagement id say we are 4 or 5 short..
but there you go..
United could lend us one of theirs JJ .
Because finding a top keeper is a piece of piss.
Interesting idea this, especially considering how expensive it is for countries to host the Euros these days.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20631963
So we should have bought 4 or 5 at £30 million then? Is that it?
JJ – Fabianski is injured. I think that is traditional these days for The Arsenal to always have a GK injured.
Anyone injured for more than a month should give their wages to a Star players Irish.
Its simple
nope thats not it..
the point i made has gone straight over your head..
bloody hell..
evening kev..long time..hows tricks?
its interesting you post that..i was going to mention the other day i was sure arsene was the one who hired ivan..
irish
banter it is matey.
banter it is..
somedays we’ll agree, somedays we wont..dont take it personal
i see you as a respected poster on here..
like most..
the funny thing is that arsene could probably buy the 4-5 needed with 30mil..
but as soon as hes spent it he makes it back at a profit so we go round and round in fucking circles..
Excellent interview with Arteta, and I must say well said Mikel!!
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/arsenal-mikel-arteta-exclusive-interview-1476390
Arteta is the boss. Should be captain. One of my favorited, but he can’t play DM the whole season. He needs a physical and dynamic partner–Song, Diaby (M’Vila?).
felliani..
Arsene does not want to win games.
He is to busy counting his wages and planning how to make Arsenal slip back into the pack.
He is an accountant ,no tactical awareness for football.
Hey I am getting good at this.
We wont buy him JJ no profit to be made on him .
That ship has sailed, JJ. A year or two ago, maybe. Now his fee and demands will be inflated.
I agree with JJ. (Happy now Bob!?) I think Fellaini would be a real coup. I wonder if TV could convince him to join him in London. Or maybe just bring back Denilson? Could you imagine the uproar? Somebody on twitter should start that rumor
he plays for everton..
they cant compete with us they pay lower wages and are in debt so need to sell a player or two every year..
if ivan wants a marquee signing to get everyone behind the plc then thats our man..a transfer record will need to be broken but those kind ppl at the emirates have pushed a wedge in our direction..
still i suppose its easier to give crap players who we dont use millions over the years until their contracts run out instead..
reina baines felliani zaha llorente..
thats my 5 george..
oh and guardiola..
What a long winded article! Let’s stop pussy footing around the obvious.
A jaded tired manager who doesn’t inspire his troops any more and who seems to lack judgement. He cuts a sad figure most weekends and appears quite delusional judged by his statements. I think the average fan’s judgement and perception of what is wrong is better. Static players, back passes, no leadership on the field NO F….. DRIVE!!!
New blood is needed, a new mentality at the top and a significant investment in new players. The organization is in great health financially but the rot has to stop. The loss of Dein and the burden of a new stadium were fatal.
No marquee player wants to come to this sorry soggy mess. The players we have want out.
A sad picture of decline: today’s Liverpool.
Obviously not THE Copernicus then.
Interesting article posted by Kev at 11:49.
In that ff2 article Wenger says that he wants to have a squad that is 80% homegrown from the academy.Why then do people think he will spend money in Jan,it goes againgst what he claims he is trying to achieve.I must say though the academy had better buck its ideas up as the only true, ie not pilfered from other clubs at the age of 16 ,academy products in the squad are Wilshere and Gibbs.Lets hope the coaching improves;maybe some of that 150 mill would be better spent on some top top top quality coaches.Mind you if we are going to produce 80% of our players,why do we need that Emirates deal at all?Maybe a ST decrease,or more ranches for Stan ,who knows? I do hope that someone has told Arsene that Arsenal fans are scathing about English players,especially those fans in Asia that the club hold in such high regard.
George ,6.52,Forest a “tiny” club when football took off? Ha fuckin ha still got two European cups that Arsenal have never,and will never,win.Wenger would kill for those two cups that the old pisshead won;at least he wasn’t a dirty scumbag cheat like Wenger and the useless Arshavin.
LJB
Common sense doesnt work with Pedantic George. He is a WUM, with no idea of football,who will start supporting Spuds once Wenger is gone.
dirty scumbag cheat? double the medication…
arshavin useless?
thats pushing georges button that is
and what the fucks a WUM..
Wind Up Merchant.
i see..cheers
oh the irony..
JJ,
I dont always agree with everything you say, but you are by far the most entertaining and interesting commenter on this blog.
January signings – OK I gave my top pick the other night with Thomas Mueller but I doubt very much if he is a feasible target – he was unsettled last season and out of the Bayern side but from what I can see he is now banging em in.
Nearer home in silver medal position – Gabriel Agbonlahor – a player who is very mobile and quick, can play as a single striker or as part of a pair, and a player who I have always thought deserves a better stage than Vila Park
And finally the wildcard – Walters from Stoke – I know I know I know – I would rather jam knitting needles in my scrotum than do business with Pullis but Walters seems to me to be a decent striker and very tough. Give him chance in the box and he always hits the target, he has had to feed on scraps at Stoke and in front of a better midfield might just be a very good striker indeed
Apart from Frank, but he’s never here so fuck him
Anicoll,
Walters? WTF?!
Red Cannon,you have found me out ,I admit it .I am not qualified to either manager the club or run it.
Unlike the likes of you and the equally qualified LJB.
Morning troops
http://www.aclfarsenal.co.uk/?p=10160
Interesting discussion last night.
It does not matter which players AW inherited; they were hardly winning everthing in sight so his impact is still massively significant. And it is fair to say he has made quite a few decent buys during his time here so I don’t see where the questions about his ability really come from.
There is no doubting he is a top mananager, it is just that he is struggling to adapt to today’s footballing climate. If he were availabe there would be a line of clubs making him offers.