From Andrew Rymer : Some great points from Nigel
Myles,
Great journalism once again.
Balanced argument presented, even if you disagree, which in the circumstances is very understandable.
I think the word frustration that Nigel used hits the spot.
Wenger has positioned the club like no other manager in history, Ferguson included, has done.
For that he should be respected.
But his stubbornness over such apparent failings in the team are driving us all mad.
It is not bad management alone, but such blindingly obvious failures to address issues.
Let’s face it, he has been one of the wiser managers when buying players. Contrast Rafa 18 million on a right back Benitez and Houllier before him.
I do not want Wenger to leave. But I don’t want the status quo either. I want him to stop being stubborn, stop feeding us the BS we get after every match, put some heart into interviews, training, matches and his team.
To use an American phrase I don’t like, he has turned into a surrender monkey.
One way or the other, things will change.
Either Wenger will carry on until the (ever more expensive) season tickets are not all sold and the board force him out, or he will win something and move forward.
Until then, both camps of opinion will continue to be frustrated, frustrated, frustrated.
Maybe Gazidis will make him spend some money this summer…maybe I will win the lottery.
Myles replies :
Wake up, Andrew!
Gazidis works under Wenger.
Insiders reported that Wenger vetoed the MD from Vodaphone. And it looked as if Celtic chief exec Peter Lawwell would not accept the job because Wenger runs everything.
The job description, the demarcation lines, were apparently unacceptable to the chief executive of Celtic. A CEO needs power. Lawwell refused to volunter for castration by a French dictator.
As I was saying to some of the boys at the gym yesterday, if Wenger insists on taking all the glory, then he has to take all the blame.
If Arsenal win nothing this season, Arsene Wenger has to take all the blame.