Arsene Wenger is leaving Arsenal this summer, the most successful manager in the club’s history – but the fact is all he has managed to do in the last decade is tarnish his reputation.
When the French tactician arrived in England in 1996, he transformed not only Arsenal but the thinking of every club around them – from nutrition to plain professionalism, to the game we know today – that is down to Wenger and the changes he oversaw.
And it worked, at first…two doubles – three titles in eight years, and the Invincibles in 2003, but then things started to go wrong…
No title in 15-years, the selling of star players – Thierry Henry, Robin van Persie, Cesc Fabregas to name but three of players out of what became a revolving door at The Emirates.
Now in 2018 Arsenal are on course for their worst finish since 1995, indeed they haven’t even secured sixth place as Burnley could yet finish ahead of them.
Many looking in, believe Arsenal could be faced with a similar prospect to Manchester United when they lost Sir Alex Ferguson – but that isn’t true, The Gunners’ alarming decline has already taken place.
Arsenal are closer to bottom of the table West Bromwich Albion than they are to leaders Manchester City – proof of how poor they have been this season.
Wenger was a genius, he was a great manager – notice the past tense – he no longer is…
…but that is not to say he will not leave a permanent impression on the English, even world game, he will – little doubt, it is just a real shame that he refused to change his ways, refused to adapt and has been left in a position where a majority of the club’s fans wanted him out.
It is a sad way for a club legend to leave, but he is an Arsenal legend and they will forever be in his debt for the memories but instead of leaving them on a high, he leaves them facing their biggest decision this century and one they need to get right if they ever hope to sit at England’s top-table again anytime soon.