Our philosophy of football is unique. We don’t undertake crazy spending, but rather undertake it in a conservative manner. Our debt is under control, and from a business perspective we are heading in a positive direction. BUT….today if I get into an argument with my friend over lets say Arsenal VS Manchester United, all I am going to hear, and if I may add very loudly, “What happened last time we met ?“, and “Wheres your trophy ?”
But on a rational, or rather Club-wise level, nobody will say anything. Now it’s not because they can, because quite frankly they can’t. I mean look at our situation [touch wood] and look at theirs. But more importantly, it’s because it’s ignored. And we are not just talking about a little ignorance. I mean everybody ignores it, even the British media. You shall find very rare articles, on how efficient Arsenal FC is run on the internet. And this excludes posts from bloggers!
So in a nutshell what Arsene Wenger is doing is nothing great in the eyes of every other club, but only great in the eyes of us Gooners.
Personally, I love the philosophy the man has instilled in the club as I am a supporter of the club and I love the club as well as the football it plays. Wenger’s philosophy of keeping the club stable, and financially sufficient, is actually a lone beacon standing out of a dark mountain, but people picture it as the sun at 12 noon or the stars at daytime. We know it’s not easy to manage a club using this philosophy. Sir Alex, Mourinho etc…No! None have done this. Why? Because to do this you have to devote a lot of discipline, time and ‘life’ to your club. And AW has done it. But is it appreciated? [ SAF has done it by their debt speaks for itself ]
Yes maybe by the International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS) have given him an award regarding this issue, but in my eyes that is too less for a man who has done so much for one club.
What Wenger is doing is never appreciated. He is doing something different and something which is right. Now this is a generalised view because it does not make sense for a club to win everything, and have the largest debt in the world!
It’s sad to see the world greatest league degrading to a level in which money matters the most. If we now start counting the clubs which have such “own” power, we have already got 3 top teams. Chelsea, City, and Liverpool. Now add to that list Manchester United because of those Qatar takeover reports….Whereas a team like Arsenal , who are actually doing the right thing by managing its finances, and maintain its level of respect is ignored and criticised.
I know for a fact most fans of other clubs critiqued the ‘Manager of the Decade’ award going to Wenger. It’s obvious. Go to a Chelsea or United Blog and I’ll bet you’ll find some bloke saying it was their manager/former manager who should have won. Why? Because of trophies. Wenger takes all the ***t from us fans but yet he sticks to what he feels is right for the club at the Club-level…
Now I cannot say that I do not want a trophy. But if that means that my club will go into a huge debt, sorry, **** off! It’s not rocket science to see this and still nobody gives a damn.
We live in an environment in which management matters alot. When Arsene Wenger manages Arsenal it’s like we feel that closure and warmth that the club is in good hands. He has kept Arsenal at that level which is expected of them. Qualifications for the Champions League, Semi-Finals. Giving youth a chance. Yes, I know we have not won a trophy, but the manner in which the man has managed the club in some circumstances is sensational. Want an example of bad management in those similar circumstances : Liverpool!
AW is a man who has devoted his life to a club which we love. He has brought up players, who we thought were useless, and turned them into world-class players. Alex Song for example. He has instilled his faith into players and given them a level of responsibility which they never thought of getting. To play for Arsenal FC. Luke for example. And lastly, he has managed Arsenal as a whole, showing people what a manager stands for. That it is not the football part which is the managers only responsibility.
From Armoury Square, a toast to you Sir. May you manage the club as a “Ghost” also. For you complete us, for you make us, ARSENAL FC.
Guns-out,
