From Martin:
Outrageous, his audacity is unparalleled.
A loyal fan base that physically fills the stadium, and spends thousands each year traveling the length and breadth of the country.
And that’s before you add in the impact of the commitment that takes, arriving home in the early hours of Monday before have to go to work after watching an Arsène Arsenal team look a shambles at Liverpool and get dismantled.
But those Arsenal fans don’t have the right to voice their opinion?
There was loyalty and trust long before the dissent as we waited for the tide to turn, trusting Wenger to be the man to lead that change.
Then there was a tipping point, and even the most ardent of Wenger fans put their club before him as the degradation was continual, one season looking like the previous, each with notable and painful capitulations.
It’s Wenger who has hurt the club’s reputation when he forced probably the most faithful fan base in football, British Arsenal supporters to eventually make their voices heard.
What arrogance to blame the UK fans.That astonished me this afternoon.
Some fans have shown more vitriol than the man. He was at the Palace game last season, the most loyal of Arsenal fans had had enough,“Not fit to wear the shirt” was the cry. But at the season end he still signs a 2-year contract. He abused the fan base trust and has now turned on them! How dare you have a voice and leave thousands of seats empty!
The audacity of that comment left me speechless for a few moments when I read it.
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Myles explains: Martin is talking about the international news conference that Wenger did after the 4-1 victory over West Ham, following his comments to UK broadcasters.
He virtually said that ignorant supporters forced him out and claimed to be was hurt by lack of unity at Arsenal. Therefore decided to step down as manager was because “my personality is in the way” of the team’s success.
“Our fans did not give the image of unity that I want in the club all over the world, and that was hurtful, I am not resentful and I do not want to make stupid headlines. I am not resentful with the fans. I just feel that if my personality is in the way of what I think our club is, for me that is more important than me.”
As always the philosopher-king of World Football wants to remake everybody’s policy:
“I feel that this club has a fantastic image and for me that is absolutely vital. Sport is as well about something bigger than just winning or losing and for me that was always a worry, how the club is perceived worldwide for kids who play in Africa, in China, in America. And the dream that it can create for young children who want to play football.”
He said, “Every single decision I made in my 22 years is for the good and the sake of Arsenal. Even when it was the wrong decision it was always with one priority and to do well with the club. I tried to influence a club on the structural side on the development of individual players, and of course the style of play and the results. To combine the three is not always easy.
“I believe that I will leave a club that is in a very strong position on all fronts and my target was always to do that and to give an opportunity to the guy that comes in after me to do even better in the next 20 years. That’s my wish.”
Myles says:
One, it’s only football.
Two (and I’ve explained this 150 times): Most football managers are bitter, twisted little men.
Three : Wenger was different because he is a very tall and presidential little man. However much love you give him, and however much power you give him, and however ever many times you pay him 11 million quid, it will never be enough. His ego is off the scale. He is beyond arrogant.There isn’t a word for it.
Four: The Colney Creche will need a hugely expensive clear-out of players and staff. It badly needs a complete culture change.