Wenger In or Wenger Out? We asked neutral fans for their views
- •
- 476 reads
- •
- 1,583 views
- •
- 13 min read
It’s the debate that’s been rumbling under the surface for a while now, but defeats in the league to Watford and Chelsea, added to the humiliating 5-1 hammering that Arsenal took from Bayern Munich, have brought the discussion about Arsene Wenger’s future to the forefront.
The 67-year-old is the best manager in the club’s history but with his contract set to expire this summer, there are plenty of Arsenal fans weighing in on his future.
In truth, it is the Gunners’ faithful who have the best view on the manager, but they can sometimes get caught up in emotions – any look at Arsenal Fan TV after a loss will prove this.
So, to get a different perspective, I’ve asked nine fans of other clubs for their views on Wenger and whether or not Arsenal should be looking to move on.
Here’s what they said:
Cameron Paterson - Hull City fan
One of the biggest arguments about Wenger possibly leaving is the fear of Arsenal losing their streak of finishing in the top four, but it could come to an end at any time naturally, even if Arsenal had an amazing season.
The Premier League is one of the most competitive in the world, and if Chelsea hadn’t streaked clear during the current campaign, any of the top six could probably be in any position.
Many of the current teams up there have made mistakes and taken surprise defeats against ‘lesser’ clubs and other teams like Everton are obviously looking to make strides forward
It is surely not a bad thing to say you finished sixth or seventh in the league, no matter how much abuse Manchester United fans are currently receiving.
It’s a difficult fight with high-quality players. It will always be disappointing to see your club not in the top position, but you should be able to take pride in certain other results.
A change would be refreshing to bring the real passion back and potentially having someone who can scream their aims or delight from the top of a stand, like Antonio Conte and Jurgen Klopp can do.
Dan Wilcox - Liverpool fan
It’s a tough decision. From a neutral perspective you must respect what Arsene Wenger has done for not just Arsenal but also the Premier League as a whole.
Things have slightly stagnated, though, with this season mimicking many others in terms of a severe drop off leading to a lack of title challenge, something that clearly angers the fans more than anything else.
Whilst the odd FA Cup has been won in the last few years, is that enough for Gunners to stay patient? It appears not.
I think some of the calls for him to go might be over the top, and some of the abuse he’s receiving certainly is, but I can also empathise with the fans’ desire to change things up.
Top four every year, whilst impressive and allowing for squad growth, doesn’t cure the crave for a proper challenge at the league or Champions League.
Players have come in but progress hasn’t really occurred. It’s important to remember, however, that that consistency hasn’t been matched by any manager for anywhere near as long. If reports are to be believed, the Frenchman also navigated the club through tight budgets after the stadium build/completion period, and that’s to be applauded also.
What I do hope is that Wenger’s Arsenal tenure doesn’t end on a damp squib and he’s remembered for that very consistency he’s now being hammered for, as well as the dominant years we all remember fondly.
James Browning - Manchester United fan
I think it’s time for Wenger to go. He’s given the club a lot, and been a great servant but I feel like he has an urge to go out with a bang and I worry for Arsenal in that sense; they can’t afford to just keep him on until he wins the league or Champions League. They’d be better off parting ways.
Luke Osman - Southampton fan
For me, it’s probably the right time for Wenger to part ways with Arsenal. It can’t be denied that he’s achieved greatness with them but that’s in the past now, and it’s time for them to look ahead and strive for change.
When he does eventually leave the club, the fans must expect a transitional period though. It’ll be a big change for all associated with the club and perhaps they’ll suffer for it, but they’ll reap the long-term rewards with a manager that possesses a winning mentality, as opposed to perhaps a conservative, safe one. Massimiliano Allegri has to be a target.
Jacob Sinkins - Norwich City fan
In my opinion, it’s time for Arsene Wenger to go. For a club of Arsenal’s size, the FA Cup being their best shot of a trophy each year isn’t good enough, and the team have begun to stagnate under Wenger’s management.
Arsenal wouldn’t struggle attracting a top class manager from abroad, as they have enough money to turn the heads of top European coaches.
Michael Oliver - West Ham fan
I don’t buy into the view that consistency is always acceptable, especially when in Arsenal’s case that ‘consistency’ is repeated failure and a not fulfilling their potential.
For the last decade or so, barring those two FA Cup triumphs, Arsenal (by their own standards and targets) have been mediocre at best on all fronts and those who think ‘the risk’ of falling off from their current plateauing level is worth maintaining mediocrity are just wrong.
Don’t settle for mediocrity, aim for the stars. It’s evident that Arsene Wenger, a great manager in his day, arguably revolutionised English football, can’t manage Arsenal at the very top level and compete with the very best anymore.
It’s February and, really, their season is already over – again. Change is needed. People fear change, and understandably so. When you’re in a nice little routine with little risk and things are satisfactory, it can be hard to commit to a change, but that is what’s needed.
Don’t settle for a top four place and maybe a cup win. Aim for the title. Bring someone in with a different outlook and different philosophies and maybe, just maybe, Arsenal can become a European superpower.
Be bold, not content.
Reginaldo Rosario - Manchester United fan
As a Manchester United fan, I’ve been conditioned to dislike Wenger, but I do have massive respect for his extreme longevity and his achievements as Arsenal manager. However, that being said, his longevity is now counting against him and his time is surely up after the end of this season.
Arsenal have been stuck in Groundhog Day mode for far too long now and most of that has to be put down to Wenger. The players are no longer responding to his methods and this is a Gunners side lacking in steel, leadership and mental fortitude – all hallmarks of Wenger sides of the past.
Wenger’s race is run – finishing fourth is no longer satisfactory for most Arsenal fans. Even the most accomplished managers have to go sometime and a dignified exit at the end of the season will be best for all parties. The Frenchman deserves to go out with the acclaim of Arsenal fans ringing in his ears.
Ste Hoare - Liverpool fan
As a Liverpool fan, I’d be happy with the past few seasons that Arsenal have had as we’ve been far too up and down.
However, from an Arsenal point of view, the constant top four finishes and a few cup wins isn’t really acceptable anymore and I understand that.
At some point, you have to get better. Being in the Champions League every year is great, but if you’re going to get knocked out the first time you play a good side, then what really is the point of being in it?
For smaller clubs, the prestige is enough but Arsenal aren’t a small club, they’re a massive one and constant losing shouldn’t be acceptable.
The Premier League is the same, they’ve not looked like winning it going into the final few weeks of the season for a long time. Even last year’s second placed finish wasn’t enough, they were miles away from Leicester.
Wenger was a genius and I still think he’s a good manager but I think Arsenal should take a risk and make a change now, as we’ve seen what Wenger’s Arsenal are; very good but not great.
A new manager might fail ala David Moyes but he might win ala Antonio Conte. I think it’s worth the risk. Worst case is the new guy finishes sixth not fourth and Arsenal have to rebuild. Best case is they become the best side in England and one that can finally look like competing in Europe too.
Thomas Bore - Newcastle United fan
Arsenal fans have come under heavy criticism from rival fans this week for their treatment of Arsene Wenger; questioning what more can fans want than consistent Champions League qualification and FA Cup success. It comes down to what is seemed as success. To any club outside of the European qualification spots, domestic cup glory is what fans want – a mid-table finish won’t be remembered for years to come.
But, as a Newcastle United fan who had to bear the media branding our fans as deluded for wanting more than Premier League survival under Alan Pardew, I can sympathise with Arsenal fans right now.
Arsenal look a shadow of their former ‘Invincible’ selves. This is a team who are content with being the fourth best in their own country when in years past the main aim was being Europe’s king. Arsenal need a change otherwise the ‘consistency’ of finishing miles adrift of winning the Premier League and not being a competitive force in the Champions League will turn the club and fanbase toxic