FEATURE: Changing Times—What has happened to Arsenal?

Yes yes, I know this isn’t about international soccer, but it has a point to it. For the past few years, Arsenal fans have been split down the middle. Half are Wenger In, half are Wenger Out. This is of course in reference to coach Arsene Wenger, who has been there for around 20 years, and his tactics, transfer activity, and general method of coaching.

Before I mention why I think it is time for Wenger to move on, I believe it is important to recognize the man for dedicating so much to one club. The man has brought success to Highbury, and now the Emirates Stadium, and has made most fans memories to cherish forever. Many will look back on “the invincibles”, the season where Arsenal went unbeaten as one highlight in particular. Many who state that he should stay argue that Wenger is irreplaceable. 

However wasn’t Sir Alex the same way?

As mentioned, I think it is time for Wenger to depart. This is for a number of reasons. For one, Arsenal have become stagnant, finishing 4th or 5th in the past few seasons. For a team with as much history and money as Arsenal have, this is not good enough. Fans want Premier League trophies and Champions League trophies. Wenger seemingly is not the man to help get the team there. The second reason why Wenger should step down is perhaps for his own career. He has glory in his past and has a terrific resumé. There are many lower league teams and international teams who could benefit greatly from his experience alone. Arsenal should have a bar set each year, and Wenger is slowly lowering this bar over the last few seasons. Time for change.

Perhaps the most argued point for the Wenger Out camp is the mans’ transfer activities, or rather lack of. Granted, he has just brought in two class players in January, but as a general rule, he has underperformed in the market. Is the board and owner to blame? Most definitely. Stan Kroenke is a crook who just wants to fill his pockets. Just look at the mans other sporting venture, the Denver Nuggets; almost an identical case to the Gunners, formerly brilliant, now underperforming. 

Despite this, it is the coaches job to recruit players, and Wenger seemingly does not have this at the top of his agenda. He consistently is inconsistent in terms of creating a balanced team, often making player selections and even purchases that confuse even the most educated soccer fan. 

Here is why I think Wenger is not achieving success anymore. The game has changed. Simple as that. The game, especially in the UK, has become much more physical, and is reliant less on possessing the ball. Whilst individual players are key, playing as a team, and in particular defending as a team, is the only way to win games. All one has to do is look at Leicester and Tottenham over the past few years to see this. The Champions League too, is an example of how the game has changed. The last few trophies have been won by teams playing physically and working hard as a team at both ends of the pitch. Arsenal cannot do this. Wenger is instead stuck in his old ways, and is signing players and playing formations that would most certainly have gotten results in years past, but really struggle today. 

And here is where internationally there is an issue. Wenger could be deemed to be causing players abilities to decline. The Alexis Sanchez saga is a perfect example of this; he was fantastic at Barcelona, and even his first few years in London, but recently he had played well below what everyone knows he can. And this has transferred to the international game too. Chile were outstanding in South Africa in 2010. Then they had a quiet 2014 in Brazil, and now look; they’re not even in Russia. And Sanchez’s decline could be in part responsible. This is not to say the player isn’t to blame too, but Wenger’s gameplay and tactics, paired with his lack of understanding of the changing game is responsible for not only individuals underperforming, but the team as a whole too. The scary part is that it is still happening. Will Lacazette, Xhaka, or Mustafi be a constant force in their national teams’ starting 11 like they should be, and have been in the past? Or will their poor domestic form relegate them to the bench? Then we must consider the English players, those who Wenger cherishes most. Welbeck, Wilshere, and Chambers are certainly not guaranteed a seat on the plane to Russia, let alone a spot on the field. 

Arsene Wenger has done some great things for the game of soccer. He has done some great things for Arsenal Football Club. And we thank you for your service. But you are holding players back, you are holding the team back. Times have changed, and you have not. You will forever be a legend and known as one of the greats. But it is time to wave goodbye.