In Arsene You Should Trust.

One of the most respected managers in club football pleads "Trust my signings". I am truly disgusted with the way things are unfolding at Arsenal. This man deserves respect for what he has done to the club in all aspects. Few clubs in the world boast a better stadium, a better way of playing football and better revenue (which is of monumental importance with that FFP crap to be put into power very soon). And remember, this is the team that came closest to throwing Barcelona out of the Champions League last season

August 20, 2011. Arsenal hosted Liverpool with Arsene Wenger under immense pressure. The game was lost by a couple of goals, the first - a very unfortunate own goal; the second was well crafted but you could argue that they were caught on the break trying to salvage a point in front of the already frustrated home crowd. The team is booed out of the pitch, and one player in particular targeted. Samir Nasri is a wonderfully talented player capable of leaving you gasping for breath with his grace and ability to weave magic, almost at will. The incident comes nearly a week after club captain Cesc Fabregas left for Barcelona claiming that his “heart was still there”. He left the club in the most arrogant manner, projecting the image of a good boy. If Samir is a “cunt”, you have to go through a lot more to find a word to describe Cesc and his actions to a club and its manager who put him on the footballing map. He left them when their situation was already bad for a place on the Barcelona bench (I can’t see him play ahead of Xavi, Iniesta or Busquets). And let’s be honest, Cesc went cheap.

Samir Nasri on the other hand, has been extremely patient and reasonable with his requests. He was ready to sign a long-term contract provided he got more money. He had the right to ask for more having performed exceedingly well in the previous season and his display of talent reaching its peak. With Fabregas gone, I don’t understand Arsenal’s unwillingness to pay Nasri the money he wants. Nasri has claimed that he wants to move to Manchester United but has respected his club’s view of United as rivals and seems to be close to sealing a deal with Manchester City.

Wenger has been very smart with managing the money but at a price. Back in 2006, when Arsenal were beaten in the Champions League final, nobody would’ve thought that the club would be reduced to a level were Champions League qualification is their priority. Players have left or retired since, leaving the Manager in the need of rebuilding. They have never settled on a squad and till date they are struggling to find the right combination of players that can get them that trophy. Players have publicly expressed their disinterest but no one seems to realize that Wenger is trying as hard as he can. “I don’t want to leave the club with old people and make things bad for the manager who succeeds me”. Now, that is loyalty.

His statement reminds me of Chelsea. Yes. They have had unbelievable success, but they are spending more than they earn. That is what FFP and financial management are all about. They have had to spend several millions on younger players because their squad is ageing. Their core is still the same. Chelsea are vulnerable without John Terry. They lack creativity when Lampard is absent. And even with the signing of Torres, the focal point of their attack remains Drogba. All these players are also good leaders.

Arsenal lack strong leadership on the pitch and there is no answer to that in their squad, at least not yet. Van Persie (the obvious choice) is already facing the pressure of staying fit for an entire season and single-handedly shoulders the goal-scoring burden. He is not to be tampered with. Close second in my eyes would be Thomas Vermaelen. The Belgian is a superb centre back and Arsenal need leadership at the back. The rest are not even close to taking on the responsibility. I am not going to suggest players for Wenger. I have complete trust in him. If the players remain and if the squad settles down, I can only see images of Wenger’s happier days at the club (he’s seriously forgotten how to smile). I really hope that in the next decade, Arsenal become the kind of club that Wenger dreams of.

To all those Arsenal fans out there, there is no better Manager you can find for your club. Trust him. Wenger. Respect.