Rob Hughes
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IF ARSENAL are to achieve their one remaining objective this season, to qualify for the next Champions League, they need to do what Arsãne Wenger does best: renew their spirit.
The next three Premiership games are away to Aston Villa, Everton and Liverpool. No cups, no Thierry Henry, no home crowd. Nothing but their youth and Wenger exhorting them to believe in their talents.
For their sakes, the professor of modern management has to be decisive. He must instil in them that Henry, the talisman, cannot help them now. He created a team of foreigners in our land and persuaded them that they can take on the world.
His very French view that there is injustice all around fuels Arsenal’s purpose. It also conditions his behaviour and that of the players, and has gone some way towards destroying what he has built - and lest we forget, built magnificently - over a decade.
Maybe it is better that they start to salvage their season away from the Emirates. The new stadium doubles the crowd, but halves the volume. There is a greater distance between the supporters and the team, and a debt to pay, something that Wenger knew would deprive him of top-class recruits.
Many new spectators, paying up to £60 for the privilege of becoming Arsenal regulars, are learning that beautiful highlights have to be separated from the reality of a side that has to find a rhythm. We hear the impatience of the crowd more than before. We see the players pass and pass, and miss chances by the hatful.
Admirers become critics. Arsenal, they say, are eye-catching but overelaborate. The players want to “walk” the ball into the net. This new, expanded audience does not buy eternal tomorrows. The supporters want silver and they want it now. There could be 375m reasons why it is harder this season than last - the cost of the new stadium.
The frustration is contagious. Even Henry, between bulletins of chronic pain, lost the sureness of touch that brought him 174 goals from 254 league games.
Some speculate that it is a good thing that Henry is written off for the season. Wenger, they say, should sell him and rebuild. So it is Thierry’s fault that Cesc Fabregas and Denilson show such promise but such profligacy? It is Thierry’s mess that Arsenal lose concentration defending set plays? Brutal facts need to be faced. Henry is 30 in August, his sell-on value is not what Barcelona offered last summer and he is not the same athlete. The team have Gilberto, a captain by example. While Henry is inoperative, there is no decision to be made on his future.
Equally, there is no option for Arsenal other than Wenger’s way. He is not a buyer, as Chelsea are buyers. He is not a pragmatist putting results ahead of performance. His motivation is finding young talents to brainwash to his style. You find fault with that? Then look away, or look back to what George Graham served up as “One-nil to the Arsenal” winning football. Maybe Henry, the temporarily broken symbol of Wenger’s reign, may never have fitted in. “We have had disappointment after disappointment,” said Wenger on Wednesday. By morning, he had signed Fran Merida on professional terms. Merida, 17, was lured to Arsenal from the same Barcelona school as Fabregas. Wenger, the incorrigible recruiter of gifted youth, is already on the next wave.
Jason Culina, an Australian at PSV Eindhoven, observed: “I watch Arsenal every week on TV and having played them I think they could be the best team in the world in the coming years.”
The coming years: Wenger’s refrain, if not right now the music Arsenal fans wish to hear.
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Remember when M. Wenger sold Viera? All around, observers lost their heads and questioned Wenger's wisdom - but the faithful trusted Wenger and were rewarded with a Champions League final.
He made Henry captain to keep him away from Barca, and it worked. Now he should let Gilberto shoulder the weight of captaincy, because he carries it regardless.
Another solid defender like Woodgate or Ben Haim and a fit Van Persie alongside Henry and we'll be looking at +40 goals next year.
Remember though... Trust the proffessor.
Tim Tyler, Bangor, Gwynedd
Mr Wenger is a very good coach, He only need to do some little changes then to add like three experienced players to boost this young talented boys, it is my beleaf that by doing so
the trophies is no Longer gonna be dream like we can see this year.
Last year we had Piress, Beckamp, Campbell and Reyess in our squared which we do not have now. Northing good can be obtained withought MONEY. The time has come that No mistake Arsenal need to aford on this Coming Season.
J Thrower, Washington, DC
There is nothing wrong sitting at 4th in the Premiership and with 2 games in hand over Liverpool. Man U and Chelsea are more consistent and better overall but not necessarily better to watch. We have patience and we trust Arsene Wegner to recreate the same Arsenal of a few seasons back. He does not need to buy anyone. His second string getting to the Carling Cup final and almost beating Chelsea at full strength is testimony to Mr. Wegner's managerial skills.
Theo , Sao Paulo, Brazil
I am fed up hearing that people think we should sell Henry. He is not to blame, its a shame all this undue pressure has been put upon him during a long spell of injury. What he really needs now is time to recover, train and ensure he comes back strong for next season, which I am sure he will. I think Wenger has to accept some responsibility for playing Henry whilst not fully fit. I really hasnt been fair on him.
What I really hope is true is that Wenger 'does' have the capital to invest in new players in the summer, we do need a more direct strikeforce.
Andy, Aberdeen, Scotland
I think that we have a very strong squad that require only a few key additions, a keeper (Buffon), a clinical finisher up front (Eto'o) and a scoring threat in midfield (Ryan Babel or Ribery). If these players come to the Emirates and for the first time in a few years we get a little luck, then we'll be a major force in all competitions for years to come.
Chris Thompson, Edinburgh, Scotland
your speculation on henry is ridiculous he has admitted himself that he has had a bad season due to injuries and that everytime he pushed himself his sciatic nerve sent a jolt down his leg. no player can play to their best like that not even henry. we do not need to sell henry and a rest is perfect as he will be back 100% fit next season and will be like a whole new player.
mr magoo, pigalle,
If Arsenal are to win all 4 cup competitions they enter in next year, all they need to do, is to sign Akinfeev, Jonathan Woodgate, Ribery and Huntaalar of Ajax. Hope I got the name spellings right.
ed matthews, London,
I always have faith in our manager.
Wiese from Bremen could make a good goalie IMO, Actually there are a lot of promising guys in this position from Bundesliga.
We need a great finisher. Rosicky should be more tough!
We are now in our bottom, and of course Arsenal's future is bright,
weser, Peking, China
The future is very bright at Arsenal.
What is needed is a new keeper, a new winger and a new striker. If you add to this Bendtner, Gilbert and Muamba returning from loan, then you have a good squad.
Bit more training on set piece taking and defending and Arsenal are the best side in England.
I would happily endure one more transition season for the promise of what will come out of it. Having grown up with Asrenal in the 80's, I know how good we have it now.
quartz, London, UK
My opinion on the keeper is I think the best 1, Gomes from PSV he is not the best but is young enough to improve, and is jus a presence in set pieces that are our Achilles heal
tony, horsham,
With a winger ( Ribery), a goalie ( Buffon) and a striker ( Eto'o)....we will be invincible
P Mulay, Wadebridge Cornwall, CornwaLL
a fully fit squad this season would see us pushing for all four trophies. especially when looking at our back four:
eboue, gallas, toure and clichy - dont tell me that 'isnt one of the best back fours in the country.'
we need to sign a world class player this season - £20million - eto perhaps? the last big money signing we made was reyes and before that it was bergkamp-c'mon the arsenal board-dig deep into ur pockets-y else are u chargin 60pound a game at the emirates
Raj B, london,
A good article . Unlike what most of the people say i feel that Arsenal's season is far from over.I know it is dissapointing to be knocked out from three cup competitions in a matter of weeks. But we should take defeats in our stride and come back a stronger team next
season.Many of the young boys like denilson, adebayor,
fabregas would be better than they are this season.
With such a great talent in the ranks I dont feel any need for transfers next season.
Regarding Woodgate, Senderos & Djourou are younger
& twice as better.
varun, mumbai, india
I believe the team will be better next season. Last season we struggled for 4th place even though we managed the Champions League final. Remember that this season Arsenal have had a lot of injuries. Unlike others Mr Wenger does not use this as an excuse. May be Arsenal need to do more to keep some old & experience players to help the youngsters instead of always allowing the to leave for free. That 30 year rule is the cause of our problems
Nana, London, UK
To be perfectly honest I think that what is needed is a little bit more luck, and less injuries. As usual this season has had some injuries which crush our hopes of silverware. If we hadn't recieved the injury to Van Persie, and Henry having all these niggles this season which has kept him from his best then maybe we'd have scored much more goals recently.
Maybe if Gallas hadn't been out for such a large period we may not have conceeded so many first goals at the Emirates, and we would have kept more clean sheets away from home which are always crucial. We've struggled a bit when our bes full-backs haven't been there as well.
If we make a couple good signings in the summer, for instance, a top goalkeeper, maybe Boruc of Celtic, and an out and out winger to give us extra width. Then with the return of Bendtner from Birmingham to give that extra hight and presence in the penalty area we can with a bit of luck as well win some honours next year.
Brad, Jersey,
Yes agree with most of that but from where I sit ,at the Emerates the overwhelming majority of supporters are right behind Arsene & his building a young team with tremendous talent. They always let him know too.
I would be interested to know what you mean by British steel, Tommy?
You are unfortunately many years out of date there.
Graham Fish, Hitchin,
Very well said, Rob Hughes.
The professor would do better next season to re-instill a British steeliness in the team ladened with wonderful young talents gathered around the world..
Jonathan Woodgate would be a perfect start .
Tommy Poh, Singapore,