Arsene Wenger's Arsenal time is up, but Gunners face years of struggle after Bayern Munich loss
Updated
Every year, it is the same old story. Certainly, no other manager in world football would have lasted this long.
And yet Arsene Wenger, so ensconced as part of the furniture at Arsenal, remains as manager of one of the world's most popular, if infuriating, football clubs.
A 5-1 hammering at the hands of Bayern Munich to effectively end its involvement in the Champions League is nothing new for Arsenal. It will be the seventh season running that the Gunners will exit Europe's top competition at the round-of-16 stage.
In the Premier League, following another dispiriting big-match loss to champions-elect Chelsea, it is looking increasingly likely it will be a 13th year without a league title.
And yet Wenger remains as Arsenal manager.
Every passing year, Arsenal fans go through repeated doses of one step forward, two steps back.
Supporters of smaller clubs may say they would swap places with Arsenal any day of the week. But for the faithful decked out in red and white, every year feels like footballing purgatory.
In no other club at this level would a manager have lasted this long. To the neutral, the board's loyalty to Wenger is admirable.
That loyalty was built up from the first half of Wenger's tenure, where he secured three league titles — including the incredible achievement of an unbeaten season in 2003/04 — and a host of FA Cups.
But nowadays, for those fed up with yet another top-four finish, only to fail so spectacularly in a European competition they have no hope of winning, as well as regular thrashings at the hands of their rivals, the annual collapses are grating.
Wenger's workaholism has Arsenal miles behind other clubs
The diminishing number of Wenger's supporters warn that Arsenal fans should be careful for what they wish for, that the grass is not greener on the other side and, given Wenger's resume, most replacements would be a step down and mark the start of an era of struggle.
The truth is, Arsenal as a football club is hopelessly unprepared to deal with Wenger's eventual abdication. The board, with American owner Stan Kroenke running the club like a cash cow rather than a football institution, have not indicated any succession plan even exists.
So in thrall is the club to Wenger's far-reaching influence, even chief executive Ivan Gazidis seems to be subservient to the manager, despite job titles suggesting otherwise.
Arsenal's poor form in big games:
- August 14: lost 4-3 at home to Liverpool
- December 18: lost 2-1 away to Man City
- February 4: lost 3-1 away to Chelsea
- February 15: lost 5-1 away to Bayern Munich
Wenger's role at Arsenal is as unique as they come in world football. Arguably the last of the traditional 'football managers', the power he yields at the north London club is significantly greater than any of his contemporaries.
Beyond just coaching and managing his first team, Wenger's role in Arsenal's scouting, youth programs and even his significant input into the development of the Emirates Stadium goes significantly beyond the job descriptions of other managers around the world.
The workload is incredible. His dedication to the club is unquestioned. And yet, while all this loyalty appears a virtue, it lies at the heart of what is rotten with one of the world's most popular football clubs.
To keep up with the world's top clubs, Arsenal would require root-and-branch change, including bringing in a director of football to oversee recruitment so that any new manager could focus solely on tactics, coaching and player motivation.
None of that is in place for whoever steps into the breach. But for Arsenal to even contemplate moving forward, it has to let go of Wenger.
Wenger's best hope now is to give sufficient notice to his departure. Not only would it give the club time to scramble together a succession plan, but it would give it a chance to muster up something resembling a fitting send-off for its most loyal servant.
Topics: english-premier, champions-league, soccer, sport, england
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