ARSENE INQUEST AFTER 3-0 FIASCO
ARSENE WENGER held a rare dressing-room inquest in the aftermath of Thursday’s humiliating loss against Manchester City as the uncertainty over his job intensifies.
Arsenal’s feeble 3-0 defeat, their second against Pep guardiola’s side in five days, strengthened belief among some of the Emirates hierarchy that Wenger must go before next season.
There are those who would prefer Wenger to confirm his exit before the end of the campaign in a move that could galvanise the club for the run-in.
There was no ranting or raving during Thursday’s crisis meeting but sources say the talks, which lasted 30 minutes, were honest and frank. Wenger made it clear there would be significant upheaval this summer if performances and results did not improve.
The biggest change is increasingly likely to be the departure of the manager himself after 22 years in charge. Director Josh Kroenke, son of majority shareholder Stan, has returned to America after spending time in England learning about Arsenal.
Kroenke Jnr said: ‘ We have a saying at Arsenal — it’s “victory through harmony”. For me, victory through harmony comes through communication.
‘You’ve got to have open and honest dialogue about the reality of everything we’re in, because if we are sugar-coating anything about our team, about our direction, we’re kidding ourselves and we’re going to be worse off for it.’
Wenger, though, has found an unlikely friend in Brighton manager Chris Hughton, whom he faces at the Amex tomorrow.
Hughton, who spent 27 years as a player and coach at Tottenham, said: ‘What I think about Arsene is that he’s an outstanding manager — has been and still is.
‘There isn’t anyone more experienced in the game than he is. I have absolute respect for what he’s done and the capabilities that he still has.’
Meanwhile, Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino says he would quit if the fans turned on him.
Pochettino stressed he was not referring to Wenger’s situation but said: ‘If your own fans do not want you, there is no point carrying on.’