I once read an article which began with details of the night Arsene Wenger and David Dein checked into hotel ahead of a Champions League Final. Wenger as ever was distracted so Dein checked them both in, when asked to state the Frenchman’s occupation he was alleged to have said “Just put miracle worker..”. Whether this particular tale is true or an urban myth, ‘miracle worker’ is a phrase that Dein often repeats in regards to Wenger and sheds a different light on the troubles facing the Gunners at the moment.
In his most recent interview, Dein cautioned that criticising the boss could see him pack his bags and call time on 13 years during which Arsenal as a club has undergone a facelift which would please even the most conscious 24 hour news presenter. It was roundly dismissed by the Frenchman but one wonders whether the alleged close friendship between the two has led to Arsene asking his pal to float the idea to test the water. It’s also a salient reminder of the relationship the pair had at the club during a time where Arsene knew the pin number to the club’s debit card and was not afraid to use it.
Maybe just maybe the problems are not solely down to Wenger, maybe someone within the current set up needs to become a new David Dein and reassure the Frenchman that if he reaches for the chequebook, they will hand him the pen. Or, if they cannot bring themselves to see money spent, maybe they can ask David Dein to play his part in a new set of miracles from Le Professeur.
It wasn’t always like this
Under Dein, Wenger was still not a big spender but an examination of his record shows he was not afraid to buy experience if needed. Apart from the additions of Remi Garde and Patrick Viera, Wenger’s first seven months saw little change. But the summer of 1997 saw the arrivals of Marc Overmars from Ajax and Emmanuel Petit and Gilles Grimandi from Monaco, none of whom could be classed as ‘one for the future’ more ‘solutions to problems’.
When the back four finally began to creak, Wenger made what I consider to be the boldest transfer in the last decade and signed up Sol Campbell from the Tiny Tots. Yes, he didn’t cost a penny but a powder keg transfer such as that would have needed backing from the highest levels.
The French Revolution
Namely Pires and Henry, two of the key players in Arsenal’s unbeaten season cost a total of £16.5 million, both were unproven but again solutions to problems. Overmars departure to Barcelona left a gaping hole on the left wing while a quick forward was needed to spearhead those devastating counter attacks which were once such a feature.
Dein Departs
Following Dein’s departure in 2007, the move to the Emirates and an economic ill wind, it’s seems the acquisition policy has changed from solutions to promising talent. Wenger appears to want to role the Anelka dice every time, ‘buy em cheap sell em on for huge profit’. A look at the ‘Invincibles’ of 2003/4 shows the depth of the problems. Lehmann has never truly been replaced (although Szczesny looks like he will change that) giants such as Campbell and Toure have only really been replaced with Vermaelen while no tough tackling midfielder has ever truly emulated the work of Viera and Gilberto Silva.
The future?
I suspect there is a nervousness in Wenger regarding spending money, mindful of the delicate balancing act the club are still performing with paying off the cost of the Emirates. But without experience, Arsenal could fall off the tightrope and fail to make it into the Champions League this season and, even worse, struggle to qualify for next year’s tournament. That combined with disenchantment at rising prices at the Emirates could see supporters spend their money elsewhere and slow down the quite brisk loan repayments Arsenal have been making for the stadium.
No-one wants a £200 million spending spree on a host of new players we don’t even need, but what is needed is someone from the board to reassure Le Boss that the money is in the bank and can be spent if he wants to browse the Premier League department store. And if he wants Jagielka and Everton want £20 million then it’s OK, they will fund the purchase because it’s the right thing to do.
For me, if David Dein was still there then I think we would have seen some big names already this summer and the press would have been denied their ‘Arsenal in Crisis’ and broken cannon logos. The question is now, does anyone on the board feel lucky? The time has come to make a stand, they either back the second most longest serving manager in English football today or, heaven forbid, sack him.
Because while Arsenal face a crucial five days on the field on Wednesday and Sunday of this week, it’s what happens until 11pm next Wednesday which will define Arsenal’s season and maybe the future of the manager. A win against Udinese this week would be victory for Dein’s ‘miracle worker’ but he could still be left bloodied and bowed when the window smashes shut.
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