by W.H. Garcia

Created on: February 13, 2010

Managerial continuity has almost become an antiquated notion in modern football, but it is an important one nonetheless. It is no coincidence that the 2 most successful clubs in the history of the Premier League are Manchester United and Arsenal, the 2 clubs with the longest serving managers. Both Arsene Wenger and Alex Ferguson have served a collective 35 years at these 2 clubs, a fact made all the more astonishing if you consider that Chelsea has had 6 managerial changes in the past 3 years. However, one cannot help but feel that the marriage of Arsene and Arsenal has approached a point where both parties would be better served if it ends sooner rather than later.

Whenever Arsenal’s young guns fail to fulfil their obvious potential, they have been the favourite targets of the unforgiving English media, perhaps undeserved at times. For a long time, Wenger has prized pretty football above efficiency and brute force. This philosophy has served Wenger well against the lesser teams, sometimes with spectacular results. Against the tougher teams, they often fail to impress.

Despite their young age, a majority of Arsenal’s players have experienced three or four seasons of Premier League football. For the past four years, people have been waiting for these players to come of age and win something, but they always seem to fall short. Inexperience cannot be used as an excuse anymore. Even Wenger’s strongest proponents would admit that his trust in youth and skill has perhaps been misplaced. While not calling for his head just yet, the fans have become disillusioned. Indeed, a number of players have come out to support the theory that the team needs a couple of older heads and more steel.

With better defensive protection, the creative elements in the team like Arshavin and Fabregas can channel more energy towards attacking, rather than worry about being exposed at the back by lightning-quick counter-attacks.

It seemed a long time ago that Wenger were in charge of players like Petit, Vieira, Parlour and Bergkamp. These players had a good mixture of steel and skill. Inexplicably, Wenger has since developed an aversion to steel and an obsession with skill, often preferring the diminutive footballers who can play ping-pong football to toughies with lesser skill.

At times, it feels as if Wenger has embarked on a personal mission to prove to the media that playing the beautiful game the beautiful way can win trophies as well, contributing to his team’s lack of variety in terms of playing style. There is always a sense that the team is compelled to stick with Wenger’s playing philosophy to prove a point. Every time they fail, Wenger gets more defensive and becomes even more determined to maintain his footballing ethos. Perhaps it is time for Wenger to step down, if only to stop this senseless experiment of attaining paradise football at the expense of good old silverware.

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