Slipperduke
The Camden Cad
As dawn broke on the morning after the worst night of his career, I wonder what Arsene Wenger was doing. For some reason, I imagine him stood at the back door of his house, watching the sun rise slowly over his dew-drenched garden, sipping coffee and shaking his head pensively, wondering what reason the birds have to be so cheerful. Of course, if he reverts to type, he'll be sat in front of the television watching a DVD of the Uruguyan Second Division, or reading scouting reports from the Danish U12s inter-schools cup. I just hope he's not reading the newspapers.
How quickly perceptions change. Just a fortnight ago, after an eight-goal Anfield thriller, the general consensus was that Wenger was on the threshold of greatness once again. That his youngsters were ready to punch their weight at the top of the table. That finally he had a team who could live up to their 2005 predecessors and start winning some silverware. Read the English press this week and you'll find yourself wondering if he'll even be in charge next season. Not enough physical strength, they say. Not enough mental strength. No closer to ending the drought. One paper even asked if it was time to reclassify the Big Four as the Big Three.
The truth, as always, is somewhere inbetween the hype and the scaremongering. Wenger is not quite ready to unleash a fresh dynastical power upon the world, but he isn't exactly struggling to keep up either. Any of the major Italian clubs would have been delighted to get the semi-finals of the Champions League and fourth place in the Premier League is no disaster either. Financially, his prudence has enabled Arsenal to be the best placed of the heavily indebted elite and there are players of enormous potential coming through the youth academy.
There is no need for him to scrap his fondness for home-grown stars, but he must now realise that it is time to adapt it. There has to be a compromise and he needs at least two experienced players in the squad. Youngsters need good role models and they are in short supply at The Emirates. To whom did they look when Cristiano Ronaldo sent that Exocet inside the near post? Cesc Fabregas, a 22 year old nearing the end of a disappointing season and still fighting charges of misconduct? Robin van Persie, a divisive dressing room figure, or Kolo Toure, the honest and humble slogger? Are they in the same class as a Rio Ferdinand or a Roy Keane? A John Terry or a Jamie Carragher? Are any of them leaders?
Emmanuel Adebayor's summer machinations having been looking increasingly ludicrous all season. Does anyone seriously believe that he is a 30m striker, worthy of playing for the likes of Barcelona or AC Milan? He's still never entirely sure whether he's on or offside and, on Tuesday night, Ferdinand put him in his pocket without even blinking. At the back, something new is needed too. Some height for starters. It's also a back four in dire need of a leader and a shouter, and you won't find many of them in the Academy. Brede Hangeland has been immense for Fulham this year, he'd fit the bill.
Wenger has been too reliant on youngsters and too stubborn to change his policies, but that's no reason to panic. Small changes, a gentle evolution, and everything will drop back into place. Arsenal, though you might not think it from their midweek demise, are so close to being title contenders. Losing to Manchester United is nothing to be ashamed of, nor is it enough to justify sweeping changes. Wenger should come in from the cold, assess and replace, and take Arsenal to the silverware that they have promised for so long.
How quickly perceptions change. Just a fortnight ago, after an eight-goal Anfield thriller, the general consensus was that Wenger was on the threshold of greatness once again. That his youngsters were ready to punch their weight at the top of the table. That finally he had a team who could live up to their 2005 predecessors and start winning some silverware. Read the English press this week and you'll find yourself wondering if he'll even be in charge next season. Not enough physical strength, they say. Not enough mental strength. No closer to ending the drought. One paper even asked if it was time to reclassify the Big Four as the Big Three.
The truth, as always, is somewhere inbetween the hype and the scaremongering. Wenger is not quite ready to unleash a fresh dynastical power upon the world, but he isn't exactly struggling to keep up either. Any of the major Italian clubs would have been delighted to get the semi-finals of the Champions League and fourth place in the Premier League is no disaster either. Financially, his prudence has enabled Arsenal to be the best placed of the heavily indebted elite and there are players of enormous potential coming through the youth academy.
There is no need for him to scrap his fondness for home-grown stars, but he must now realise that it is time to adapt it. There has to be a compromise and he needs at least two experienced players in the squad. Youngsters need good role models and they are in short supply at The Emirates. To whom did they look when Cristiano Ronaldo sent that Exocet inside the near post? Cesc Fabregas, a 22 year old nearing the end of a disappointing season and still fighting charges of misconduct? Robin van Persie, a divisive dressing room figure, or Kolo Toure, the honest and humble slogger? Are they in the same class as a Rio Ferdinand or a Roy Keane? A John Terry or a Jamie Carragher? Are any of them leaders?
Emmanuel Adebayor's summer machinations having been looking increasingly ludicrous all season. Does anyone seriously believe that he is a 30m striker, worthy of playing for the likes of Barcelona or AC Milan? He's still never entirely sure whether he's on or offside and, on Tuesday night, Ferdinand put him in his pocket without even blinking. At the back, something new is needed too. Some height for starters. It's also a back four in dire need of a leader and a shouter, and you won't find many of them in the Academy. Brede Hangeland has been immense for Fulham this year, he'd fit the bill.
Wenger has been too reliant on youngsters and too stubborn to change his policies, but that's no reason to panic. Small changes, a gentle evolution, and everything will drop back into place. Arsenal, though you might not think it from their midweek demise, are so close to being title contenders. Losing to Manchester United is nothing to be ashamed of, nor is it enough to justify sweeping changes. Wenger should come in from the cold, assess and replace, and take Arsenal to the silverware that they have promised for so long.
