THEY STINK
ARSENE WENGER is stinking the place out at Arsenal as he nosedives towards an undignified exit.
The Frenchman resembles a loaf of bread that’s been left in the back of the cupboard too long, giving supporters a sour taste in their mouth. It’s all gone stale and the crumbs of comfort have disappeared. But the man who should shoulder most of the blame for the mess is not Wenger – it’s a certain Enos Stanley Kroenke. Kroenke, or ‘Silent Stan’ as he is also known, is the major shareholder of the Gunners. In effect, he’s the owner. He is named after St Louis Cardinals ‘Hall of Fame’ baseball star Enos Slaughter, which seems apt given the current state of affairs at the Emirates which have seen Wenger reduced from a lion of a manager to a lamb. Kroenke, who has a personal fortune of £6.5billion, makes supporters sit in the most expensive seats in the Premier League to watch a team that has suffered from chronic and persistent underfunding. Having a huge cash reserve in the bank is all well and good, but if it isn’t being used to benefit the team’s chances of winning trophies, then what is the point? Kroenke’s reluctance to stick his hand in his pocket is killing the Gunners and Wenger looks poised to become the biggest victim of all. Wenger is not blameless. He has made some bad signings and decisions, and continues to hone a stubborn streak that does him few favours. He has made the mistake of allowing his board’s cautious approach to dictate his gradual slump into mediocrity. Supporters are now turning on him in growing numbers, exasperated by his refusal to move with the times in the transfer market. But there is still huge affection towards the Frenchman and this is the root of the club’s problem – because Kroenke and chief executive Ivan Gazidis choose to indulge in the same sentiment.
One supporter summed up the issue that has afflicted the club when he said: “Look at this beautiful stadium. How can we sack the man who helped build that?”
Wenger’s achievements should never be forgotten. He revolutionised the club from top to bottom, created Doublewinning sides including the ‘Invincibles’, won domestic cups and reached a Champions League final. For this he deserves a statue.
But the greatest memories are from more than a decade ago – ones, like the current side, which have long since faded.
Decisions
The club lacks strong leadership from the top and the time has come for Kroenke and Gazidis to step up and make some tough decisions that will shape the future of the Gunners.
Wenger should not be allowed to decide when he leaves just because he’s been there 21 years. That’s ridiculous.
No one should be immune from the sack. Claudio Ranieri was proof of that at Leicester, just like Jose Mourinho at Chelsea last season.
Longevity isn’t always a good thing. Sir Alex Ferguson retired from Manchester United having won them the league title as his parting gift.
But he also left a neglected squad that cost two managers their jobs after he had gone.
Kroenke has the club’s destiny in his hands and should show the same ruthless streak his counterparts at Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea have done in the past.
The Gunners have been firing blanks for too long and Wenger needs to be