Arsenal’s manager Arsene Wenger has likely never before experienced the level of criticism he has in recent weeks. Although his long relationship with the Gunners has had its ups and downs, it is now at crisis point following Arsenal’s 3-1 loss to West Bromwich Albion at the weekend – the side’s fourth defeat in five league games.
Experts noted that the way Wenger utilized Aaron Ramsey as defensive midfielder, knowing Tony Pulis’ side would launch a lot of long balls, clearly didn’t suit Ramsey’s game. Tactically speaking, Wenger didn’t adjust his squad to target his particular opponents and after a couple of years of spending big, the fact remains that this squad is by no means close to the real deal.
Some supporters flew a banner calling for Wenger to leave during the West Brom game, a view being echoed louder and louder throughout the stands and outside the stadiums. In the press conference after the defeat, Wenger claimed that people would know more on his future “very soon”, an indication that perhaps he will leave the club at the end of the season. But since then British media has cited information from within the manager’s camp that he wants to stay –overhauling the current squad and rebuilding the club he once led to the top of the Premier League.
Such a decision may not go well with some Arsenal fans, as more and more loyalists have now lost patience with the Frenchman. On the one hand we take our hats off to Wenger for his persistence and bravery at 67 years of age. On the other, he could face further humiliation as Mesut Özil and Alexis Sanchez are understood to be heading for the exit after both rejected new deals. The rebuilding work might be too much for Wenger to finish within one or two seasons, and if there is one thing Arsenal fans don’t want any more of is this once great club failing to live up to its potential.
