Despite coming under increasing pressure from the fans, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger insists he is going nowhere at the end of the season.
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Speaking to BeIN Sports, the Frenchman said “I have my conscience. What is more important is I give my best every day for the club I love. If I can share that love with the supporters, even better, but at the end of the day, I want to make sure that I give my best”. When asked if he will remain manager, Wenger then replied “I have no doubt. I am committed, when I do something, I do it 100 percent. I’m always committed to giving my best for as long as I am at the club”.
Wenger’s confidence of remaining as manager of the club may frustrate a significant proportion of the fanbase who are demanding change. Many Arsenal fans feel as though, should Arsene Wenger fail to deliver the Premier League trophy this season, something which he has failed to do since the 2004 Invincible season, his position should become untenable. The Gunners currently find themselves in third place, 11 points behind leaders Leicester and 6 points behind rivals Tottenham, albeit with a game-in-hand. Should either Leicester or Tottenham go on to win the title this would surely be an underachievement for Arsenal and a major opportunity missed, given the club’s resources and expectations in comparison.
The 66-year-old’s comments however highly indicate he will keep his job regardless of the club’s achievements this season. Arsenal fan Piers Morgan has also recently tweeted “‘It’s on his desk. New 3-yr deal.’ What I was told last night about Wenger’s offer from Arsenal/Kroenke. Shocking”, further suggesting Wenger will keep his job. Additionally, the club’s second-largest shareholder Alisher Usmanov has said “the club must retain its major symbol and main asset – manager Arsene Wenger”.
So it seems Arsene Wenger is very likely to remain as Arsenal manager, but, after 20 years, is it time for change? In defence of the Frenchman, since significant financial funds have become available following the move to the Emirates Stadium, he has won back-to-back FA Cups and attracted world-class players to the club, including Mesut Ozil, Alexis Sanchez, and Petr Cech. If Wenger was to leave the club, Arsenal may struggle to add similarly world class players to their squad who want to learn from one of the undoubtedly best ever worldwide football managers. Recently awarded German player of the year midfielder Mesut Ozil has recently tweeted “Arsene Wenger was a big reason for me joining Arsenal – this hasn’t changed!” in support of the manager.
On the other hand, should Arsenal fail to make up the 11 point gap behind Leicester, it could be argued that Arsene Wenger deserves to be sacked. If Leicester or Spurs were to win the league, even though clubs such as Man City, Man Utd and Chelsea would have also underachieved, this would reflect particularly bad on Arsenal and Arsene Wenger, who are 12 years without a Premier League trophy. With Pep Guardiola coming to Man City, and change inevitably happening at both Chelsea and Man Utd, if Arsene Wenger can’t lead Arsenal to title glory this year, will he ever be able to again?
By Tom Clewlow.