Arsenal are preparing for life after Arsene Wenger, Harry Becker looks at the changes required for this democratic transition.
Something is happening at Arsenal Football Club. For over two decades, this corner of North London has been the sole domain of one man: Arsene Wenger. During this time, Wenger has moulded the club in his own image. The club’s values are Wenger’s values; its transfer policy, his transfer policy; its playing style, absolutely and distinctly Wenger-ian. Wenger is the last of the all-powerful manager class – not just responsible for what happens within the confines of the carpet-like turf at the Emirates Stadium – but uniquely and distinctly ingrained into the daily running of what has become a global behemoth. It wouldn’t surprise me at all if Wenger personally interviewed London Colney’s tea lady.
But Wenger’s dictatorial reign, for so long glorious, is now teetering on the brink of collapse. Discontent is rife. Revolution is a word no longer whispered in dark corners but openly, brazenly, clamoured for. If Arsenal was a nation and Wenger its ruler (to make obvious this rather unwieldy metaphor), the streets would be on fire.
“I’ve not really liked their defending for a long time,” said Gary Neville after Arsenal’s 3-0 defeat to Manchester City in the League Cup Final. “I’ve not really liked their leadership, the character, and the spirit on the pitch, but you’ve always liked the football – I don’t even like the football anymore. The last bastion has gone.” This is not just a run of bad form – this is a deep-rooted malaise that Wenger seems unable to solve.