By Yemi Babalola Lagos
Leave when the ovation is loudest is probably one quote the philosophical Arsene Wenger does not understand. The well learned Arsenal football club manager is no doubt a brilliant mind and philosopher, whom most close associates have revealed is an avid reader.
With the over 20 years under his belt as the Gunner boss, a period during which he made history with the side and they went 49-matches unbeaten from the 2002/2003 season to the next season. Wenger has won for the club during his era, 3-Premier League titles, 7-FA Cup titles and 7-Community Shields. No doubt has been a success in his own right and not forgetting during his time the Emirates Stadium construction ensued with the club and the contractual agreement, a period in which Wenger ensured that Arsenal made the top-4 all through.
However, recent results and developments within the club has shown that Wenger’s Midas touch is losing its influence on the team, and somehow he just cannot seem to get the team to match up with modern football. Arsenal has lost it glory and the ‘beautiful’ football that the team is known for on the pitch on play. It is obvious that the manager cannot seem to get it right with the squad, even with the influx of quality players in the last 4 years, the signing of Mesut Ozil from Real Madrid, Alexis Sanchez from Barcelona (though he has moved to Manchester United) and the recent signing of Pierre Emerick Aubameyang.
Wenger is still not getting the club anywhere close to a Premier League title nor any other league title now. The team is currently lying 5th on the league table. They crashed out of the FA Cup in an embarrassing manner to Nottingham Forrest; they were defeated by City in the Carabao Cup final. The race to make top-4, as they are known to attain is becoming harder. The team though still in the UEFA Europa league round of 16 does not look promising.
This leaves passionate fans like myself to say it is time to go Arsene Wenger, he has given his best but with the evolution of football in this era. The advancement of football in recent times is making it clear that Wenger has nothing new to offer the club. There definitely would be an initial struggle for the team with his departure but with the new structure in place by the board, it should not be as bad as that of Manchester United after the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson. With the appointment of new scouting officials, and other key team officials who have not been in place before now, it is time for Arsenal football club to breathe fresh air where managerial duties is concerned.
No doubt, Wenger has built a legacy that cannot be forgotten in the history of the club, but the manager has overstayed his welcome. With his continued presence as the manager of the team in the current footballing clime, more disappointments should be expected because, football has evolved but Arsene Wenger is yet to.
https://scrollreport.com/2018/02/23/arsenal-complacent-ostersund-defeat-wenger-says/
