The media was awash with tributes and compliments when it was announced that Arsene Wenger would be leaving Arsenal at the end of the season. The good, the great and odd keen observer, heaped praise on the Frenchman who departs after a staggering 22 years in charge.
There was sadness, disbelief, relief and a degree of resignation about proceedings. Fans reflected on a career that included 3 league titles and 7 FA cups. It also included a season where his team, labelled ‘The Invicibles’, went a whole season unbeaten in 2003/2004. Supporters gave their opinions and recalled their favourite moments of his era but amid the heartfelt praise and justified applause, one man stood out for all the wrong reasons, that man is the current Arsenal CEO, Ivan Gazidis.
A man who has been almost invisible for an entire season whilst the club descended into farce and one which he presided over that saw an end to any aspirations of another Premiership title. Gazidis is someone who has no idea about what it takes to manage a top flight football club. A man who’s only ambition appears to be to increase his own profile in an attempt to become the new David Dein.
He stands absolutely no chance of that and seems more preoccupied with acquiring a superfluous director of football or adding additional sponsorship by placing company logos on the sleeves of Arsenal’s kit. The galling part of his press conference was when he said that Wenger would feel the full force of Arsenal football club behind him until the end of the season.
Where has that been up until this point? Where has Gazidis been all season when things were going wrong? The answer is doing what he normally does, absolutely nothing. This term has been a disaster on the back of Wenger’s contract extension at the end of last season. Kroenke and his main henchman realised that they are fast becoming the focus of disgruntled fans and as a result were the next candidates on the list to receive a fraction of unprecedented criticism their manager has had to endure for months. They have only acted now to save their own skins and to protect their joint interests
Wenger was told to make the decision or face dismissal, remember his recent quote this year, where he proudly and stubbornly said that he has never walked away from a contract. Well, he has now and just before his legacy was left to the vultures and his achievements were sullied.
Gazidis and Co have made one abysmal decision after another and are in the process of running the club into the ground from neglect and mismanagement. Hell, at this rate I expect them to appoint Celtics Brendan Rogers to finish off the job. There’s no doubt that Rogers has excelled at the Scottish club but nothing he has achieved thus far suggests he is the natural successor to Wenger.
Scottish football is like a watered-down version of La Liga, it’s mainly contested by two teams. I’m convinced that either Leicester or Burnley could run away with that particular League for the next three or four seasons. I’m petrified at this moment in time that Kroenke and Gazidis will appoint the wrong man and that as a result of another ghastly decision, the spiral of decline will continue until Arsenal are no longer a credible force.
The board will need to get busy and tempt a top class manager from his current post or one in the process of putting pen to paper at another club. It will not be Thomas Tuchel because of his history with Sven Mislintat. The head of Arsenal’s recruitment had a massive spat with Tuchel whilst they were at Dortmund and was immediately banned from all the clubs training sessions.
One doubts that the bridges can be mended to forge a meaningful partnership in North London. Like many Arsenal supporters, the finger of blame is not just pouting in Wenger’s direction. Considering the position and choices available, there are a host of credible candidates but if we are not going to get a favoured European manager, why not Rafa Benitez?
He has been excellent at Newcastle, has top level experience in the Premiership and European competitions and could hit the ground running from day one. He is tactically sound and is a known motivator even under difficult circumstances of which Newcastle have had many this season. He had dealt with financial restrictions and the threat of a takeover with his usual aplomb, none of which clouded his focus or judgment. It’s an option and at least it’s not Brendan Rogers.
Gazidis now has an opportunity to make the changes he talks about so freely. He and the board will need to make an early announcement within days of Wenger’s departure to stabilise the club and excite stay away fans. I am told that approaches have already been made to two candidates to see if they are agreeable and that tentative negotiations will commence within weeks.
Gazidis and Kroenke need to employ someone that can carry on Wenger’s philosophy and the clubs traditions. The sides image is one of style and finesse and a complete 360-degree departure from that would prove unpalatable to most supporters. Many may complain about Wenger but he spoiled fans with a brand of football that was admired throughout the World.
