I hate myself for saying this,but it really is time for Wenger to walk
WHAT on earth is going on at Arsenal?
A great club with a proud history is hurtling towards crisis, and I fear things could get even worse before they get better.
A couple of games into the season, I berated a fan who called Six-0-Six to demand Arsene Wenger’s sacking and I threatened to cut off anyone else who rang up spouting ‘Wenger Out’ vitriol. But although I’m almost ashamed to admit it, I fear nothing is going to change while he remains the manager at the Emirates.
And I hate myself for saying this, but I really think it has reached the point where Wenger has to go.
On what planet does it make good business sense to pass up a £60million transfer fee for Alexis Sanchez on deadline day when he can leave next year for nothing?
On what planet did Arsenal think they could rush through a £90m deal for Monaco’s Thomas Lemar at the last minute as a replacement for him?
And on what planet can Arsenal, one of the country’s richest clubs, finish the transfer window with one of the lowest Premier League net spends? If the Gunners drop points at home to Bournemouth, I fear the atmosphere is going to be poisonous.
Wenger must have the skin of a rhino and balls of steel if he is ready to go through all that again.
Every aspect of Sanchez’s performance and his body language will be under the microscope next Saturday, and if it all goes pearshaped on the pitch, the vitriol among fans could be on a different scale to any mutiny we’ve seen at the Emirates.
Sunday’s 4-0 thrashing at Liverpool was bad enough. Arsenal looked rudderless and clueless on the pitch, while Wenger and his assistant Steve Bould (right) sat on the bench like rabbits in headlights. It was one of the worst Arsenal performances I have seen, but in the dugout they looked so shellshocked they could barely twitch.
As for the deadline-day shambles... what a complete joke. Who runs the show?
There is no leadership or direction on the pitch, and there doesn’t appear to be anybody calling the shots in the boardroom in terms of player contracts or transfer policy.
Gunners legend Ian Wright was spot-on when he tweeted: “Whoever comes or whoever leaves, Arsenal is still a great club. Unfortunately there’s a monkeys’ tea party going on upstairs.”
And I cannot agree with another Arsenal hero, Patrick Vieira, when he says this team has more ability than the Invincibles side of 2004. I’m not sure about the ability, but the Invincibles had big hearts and an unbelievable winning mentality.
Never mind the trenches – you wouldn’t follow this Arsenal team to the bus stop. Wenger should have gone out on a high note with the FA Cup triumph against Chelsea instead of signing a new contract.
I was under the impression he only stayed after promising strategic changes – but the atrocious display at Anfield suggested he is only going to deliver more of the same. Why did he leave the club’s record signing Alexandre Lacazette on the bench?
The defending was dreadful. Nacho Monreal looked terrified of Liverpool’s pace and movement, and Rob Holding looked like a £2m signing from Bolton – which is what it said on the tin. Whatever happened to that British core Wenger was going to build Arsenal’s future around? That photo of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Jack Wilshere, Aaron Ramsey, Carl Jenkinson and Kieran Gibbs is old hat already because two of them have left, another is out on loan and a fourth is into the last year of his contract.
I admit I was wrong when I threatened to cut off fans on the phone-in lines. The whole club needs a shake-up – from the top – and the best thing would be for Wenger to walk away.
If he won’t walk away from a multi-million pound job, is there anyone at the club bold enough to force the issue?
Either way, I suspect the fans – divided up to now – will have the final say.
BEST piece of business in the transfer window? Nemanja Matic – at £40million, from Chelsea, a direct rival. He already looks a bargain as the new powerhouse in Manchester United’s midfield. I also like the look of Michael Keane – at £25m from Burnley, Everton will get value for money. NOT a good window for Brighton, who desperately need more firepower, and Newcastle. I hope Brighton stay up, but you have to fear for them. Above all, Newcastle owner Mike Ashley MUST keep hold of Rafa Benitez, but I don’t think their transfer business will keep fans or manager happy.