A once greatly praised public figure who promised much change but has failed to deliver it while drowning in a sea of financial meltdown and lack of leadership. On hearing this description in political terms then you think of Barack Obama, a man who has lost much of his shine since his election in 2008. However, if this description were to be used in a footballing context then it relates to only one man, Arsene Wenger. The once great manager of Arsenal football is losing squad members faster than Joey Barton can start a fight and if he is not careful the transfer window could close on him before any major reinforcements are brought in.
At the start of the summer things seemed positive for Arsenal football club. The word from Spain was that Barcelona could not afford to sign both Fabregas and Sanchez and since the Chilean winger was their first choice it seemed there was a decent chance he would stay another year. There was also much talk about Nasri signing a new contract and that finally Wenger would sign a big tall centre back that could play in the Premier League and help to add some stability to the side. Then it all went wrong. But let’s not cover old ground, we know what Wenger has done (and hasn’t done) so far this summer, no need to keep mentioning that his management of the club is making the McCan’s look like good parents in comparison. No need to mention that he promised that a Premier League centre back would be signed to add some steel to the back four. And no need to keep bringing up the fact that as things stand now Arsenal football club will do well to not only qualify for the group stages of the champions league but also manage to avoid losing to Man Utd by less than 3 goals this weekend. Yes these are the days your grandparents talked about, these truly are the golden years once again for the north London club.
In comparison over in Washington DC Barack Obama is having similar problems figuring out how the economy works and keeping people happy while cutting the budget and trying not to break too many promises. Like Wenger his popularity is at an all time low and he seems unable to win people over and convince everyone that he is doing the right things. And, like Wenger, his well known catchphrases are now being turned against him to mock him. Yes we can...what exactly? For a lot of Americans Obama is looking less like a leader and more like a well trained dinner speaker. For Wenger being mocked is nothing new. From the vile and disgusting chants of “sit down you Paedophil” to the gentler mocking of his phrase “I did not see it” and of course his continued talk of “belief” and “mental strength”. But now even phrases used by Arsenal fans are being turned against him .“In Arsene we trust” seems to have as much bight to it as a Squillaci tackle. Yes of course a lot of Arsenal fans are still behind him but do they actually believe Wenger will break the bank and bring in the quality needed to improve the squad? Perhaps if they were truly honest with themselves they would say they don’t.
There are of course very tough financial restrictions on both men trying to do their jobs. However while Arsene Wenger can point to a true lasting legacy built under him, Obama can’t. Wenger brought new ways of thinking about football to English football and helped build a legacy of flowing, attacking football and a fantastic new stadium and has done far more good for the club than he has done damage. But if he doesn’t see he is getting it wrong this summer (and summers past) then he is looking at a very different football club than everyone else. His teams of the past were about technique but also about pace and power and were always up for a fight. His mini Barcelona assortment of midgets have no physical or mental strength and they are too young to achieve success together without the help of experienced players who have win things at the highest level. Henry and Pires were World Cup, Bergkamp had won the champions league and Sol Campbell had been a top Premiere League centre back for years before they joined Arsenal. Wenger is wrong if he thinks Jenkinson and Frimpong can lead his team to glory without major help from more experienced players.
So perhaps time is running out for both Wenger and Obama then. But unlike Wenger, Obama can at least fight it out head to head with just one opponent and if he wins then his job is safe for four more years. For Wenger four years does not look a likely length of stay for him at Arsenal. But the board are not stupid (well ok they are but not in this respect) they will not and they should not sack Wenger mid season, not without a top manager signed up to take his place. A manager such as Rijkaard or Klopp or even Pep would be needed. To sack Wenger now would be as stupid as to sack Obama a year before the election, it serves no purpose. It’s not like Pat Rice would be any better, let’s be honest he can’t even stay awake these days during game. He is pretty much like a nicer version of Father Jack from Father Ted.
Wenger has broken promises and has failed the fans that pay such high ticket prices to go and watch Arsenal. “Spend some f$$king money” may be the popular song amongst some Arsenal fans right now but those chants are unlikely to make Wenger change any time soon. For Wenger to change seems to be asking an awful lot. Unfortunately it may be the only thing that would bring him, and the club, success. Arsenal fans (apart from those who want to keep dry) will always support the team, how long will they keep supporting Wenger?
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