Arsene Wenger’s reign at Arsenal can be divided into two very different approaches. On one hand, he was very dynamic and aggressive in his early career at Highbury, but the switch to Emirates Stadium has seen a different Wenger. This transfer window may just decide the fate of the Premier League’s second longest serving manager. For the uncertainty that seems to loom over North London these days, unfortunately, Arsene Wenger has left my pint of Boddington’s half dry.
Boddington’s, not so dissimilar to Arsene Wenger, has a very distinct taste that very much leaves people much in favour of it, or fiercely opposed. Boddington’s comes in a nice shiny yellow tin can, which I am usually not wild about. Upon carefully pouring it into my empty frosted pint, there was about a finger and a half of head, which retained fairly well throughout the 20 minutes it took for me to take it back while watching the Premier League Review Show on the tele. The ale was dark golden brown, and looked quite appetizing. I’ve heard people describe the beer’s appearance as “uninspiring” – snobs. Interestingly, I’ve also heard Wenger described as uninspiring.
Arsene Wenger was ushered in at a perfect time in the 90’s. With a fiercely competitive team developing with the likes of the incomparable Dennis Bergkamp, Robert Pires, and soon after Thierry Henry, the Gunners were dynamic to say the least. He took chances, spent wisely on important pieces (get to that later), and was loved by all around Highbury. Throngs of Arsenal supporters sang his praise, quite literally, game in and game out. Life was good as a Gooner, and life was good from Wenger’s Eyes as well.
With the height of his reign coming during the Invincibles Era, it was followed by an ever-dwindling group of supporters. My ale is very similar by the way. What started out as a promising ale, is slowly becoming boring and flat – maybe those snobs had it right after all? I’ve had Boddington’s before, certainly, but out of a can is new to me. God, I had that tinny taste!
Back to AW.
Today we have a very different Arsene Wenger. Over the past couple of seasons the Proffeseur is being questioned like never before. Perhaps some of it has to do with the 10’s of millions of Gooners on Twitter and in other social networking sites who all profess to know what really is best for the team. Anyway, no one can question his ability to find raw talent and develop it into very serviceable, and in some cases extremely talented, professional footballers. That is what he is known for. But football has changed, and unfortunately Wenger has not.
The top club’s of today all have one thing in common – they spend when necessary, and aren’t afraid to bite the bullet and pay big for top talent. Arsene Wenger is not ready to do that, and he has proven that with losing the likes of Fabregas (debatable…he wanted to go for other reasons), Samir Nasri, Robin van Persie, etc., not to mention his unwillingness to go out at transfer time and spend on a couple of pieces that the team needs to get it over the proverbial hump. Sir Alex himself acknowledged that they may have spent more than they wanted but they got players that they really wanted. That is where Wenger is different.
Think of the players Arsenal have brought in recently – Santi Cazorla, Olivier Giroud and Lukas Podolski. All great signings, but also very bargain players. Cazorla’s Malaga was on the brink of bankruptcy, and correctly Wenger pounced. Good decision. Podolski’s German squad was on the brink of relegation, so Wenger very much saved his career. Also very good decision. When was the last time Arsenal wanted a player badly and were willing to overpay to get him? *crickets*
To me, Boddington’s has a very watery, unsubstantial taste. It’s a little on the uninspired, flat side. It was once very promising, like Wenger, but through the 20 minutes it took me to drink it all down, it has changed into a flat soda pop with a bitter finish – also like Wenger.
Look, I really do like Arsene Wenger for what he has done for Arsenal. I am also not blinded by the fact that he hasn’t changed in a sport that is ever-changing, and if nothing is done to stop this, I fear the worst for him, and my beloved Arsenal. For those of you who continue to think he walks on water, what would have to happen to change your minds?
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