We’re finally seeing a side of Arsene Wenger that many had deemed necessary for a number of seasons. It’s the same manager, of course. Calm exterior, thoughtful insights on the game. Yet behind closed doors, it’s the take-no-prisoners approach that’s needed at this level of football.
It the reports of an ultimatum ring true then it’s another step towards a changing of mentality that was needed a long time ago. After Arsenal’s 4-1 win over Reading on the weekend, Wenger said he was pleased that the players did not relent in the drive for three points. There was no handbrake to be raised on this occasion.
Many of the current Arsenal players, as well as those who have played for the club in recent seasons have never had it so good. The mentality at the club meant they would never be hung out to dry following a run of poor performances, and it truly would have taken something monumental for the knives inside the walls of London Colney to turn against them.
It’s not that Wenger needs to run the club with an iron fist, but there really does need to be a sense of fear about the players when they play badly. How often do you see Manchester United as a collective performing well below what’s expected? It’s not that Alex Ferguson wouldn’t allow it, but the players themselves wouldn’t allow the performance levels to drop in such a way. It’s a mentality that does indeed stem from the manager and the respect for himself and the club he demands.
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For Arsenal players, it’s been an easy ride. Even after the humiliating loss against Bradford in the League Cup, Wenger seemed incredibly hesitant to criticise his players. Sometimes you need that in public, even if some don’t find it constructive in any way. Big clubs with big mentalities know when strong words are necessary.
It’s only now that Wenger has said to the player that they’re earning their place next season have we seen a notable improvement, and one that supplements the defensive strategy adopted a few weeks ago.
No one on the continent will pay many of these players the wages they’re currently on. A lot of it’s to do with budgeting, but much of it is just because none of them are worth it. And now you get the sense that this is the last opportunity for some, where a feeling of last orders really didn’t frighten the current playing staff from living the good life in the past.
I wouldn’t get too carried away with players like Gervinho. A goal and two assists is something you’d expect from a title-winning forward playing in a team who are supposed to generate as many chances as Arsenal. Now there’s a lot of faith in the words of Wenger and the performances of the Ivorian over the past two league games. I’m not convinced and I don’t believe he should be afforded another season with the club. If Wenger’s latest stance is here for the remainder of his time with the club then it should be used on players who are clearly good enough: Gervinho has never been good enough for Arsenal.
The fight and willingness to do better stems from the top. For far too long Arsenal players, as well as fans, have been fed the line that fourth is acceptable and there is no urgency for trophies. There’s no pressure internally and the club are unlikely to pay much attention to the discontent among supporters. It really is no surprise then that Arsenal have been coasting for much of the past six years. The best want to leave because mediocrity is accepted both on the pitch and in the transfer market, and despite how admirable Wenger’s approach to the game may be, the lack of drive for success from a leader will naturally rub off on the players.
This wake up call is exactly what Arsenal needed. Very rarely have we seen players performing for the shirt or justifying their next pay cheque. It’s become too comfortable, and only now when the threat has become very real has the ultimatum been dropped. A lot of these players need to know what it means to play for Arsenal. They’ve been fortunate, not many managers of other top Premier League clubs would have offered them this opportunity.
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