Frank Malley
YOU have to admire the courage of Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger.
The courage he has in his conviction to send out his team playing open, attacking, eye-pleasing football despite injuries, suspensions, the departure of his two most influential players in Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri and a sluggish start to the Premier League season.
The courage, too, in shouldering persistent criticism from footballing experts and parts of the Emirates Stadium faithful who believe he has to spend big this next week if Arsenal are not to endure another trophyless season.
Courage is an essential quality in football. It was written all over Arsenal’s 2-1 win against Udinese in Italy for a 3-1 aggregate victory which took them into the group phase of the Champions League.
A brilliant penalty save from goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny, goals from Robin van Persie and Theo Walcott, a man-of-the-match performance from Gervinho and displays of distinction from youngsters such as Carl Jenkinson and Emmanuel Frimpong demonstrated Wenger’s Gunners have fight and promise.
The victory also means Arsenal’s bank balance is £20million heavier. It does not mean Wenger’s problems, however, are any lighter.
He still has one week until the transfer window closes to attract a couple of world-class stars at least to the Emirates if Arsenal are to contend realistically for the big prizes this season.
Let’s face it, Arsenal should not be huffing and puffing to beat Udinese to reach the group phase of the Champions League for the 14th consecutive season. They should be plotting to defeat teams such as Barcelona and Real Madrid at the business end of football’s most-prized club competition. If beating Udinese were the summit of their ambitions they might as well pack up now.
Former Arsenal striker Ian Wright has no doubts what Wenger must do.
“They need three or four world-class players right now who can hit the ground running in the Premier League,” Wright said.
He identified two central defenders, a striker and a creative midfielder to replace Fabregas as the main requirements, which is hardly rocket science considering half the football world has been saying the same for the past two seasons.
Will Wenger listen? Will he pay over the odds for the likes of Everton’s Phil Jagielka and Bolton’s Gary Cahill? Will he be prepared to spend £30m on a single player? Will he go against the habits of a parsimonious lifetime to smash Arsenal’s transfer record several times in a week?
It seems unlikely although the confirmed place in the Champions League group phase at least means the top stars are more likely to consider a move to north London than they would have been if the Gunners were scratching around in the Europa League.
The stark fact is that the Emirates Stadium is no longer a preferred destination. These days Wenger gets his man only if Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea and perhaps even Liverpool are not interested.
It is why Wenger’s eye for a player – Gervinho being the latest to look the part – is more important than ever and why a difficult week lies ahead.
What should Arsenal fans do? Listen perhaps to former board member David Dein. ’Trust Wenger,’ he has said repeatedly. It is good advice considering Wenger has been instrumental in the financial solidity and footballing success of the club for the past 15 years.
But a wise manager should also take note of those urging him to balance his obsession with youth by spending big money the club can afford on experience and maturity. It is time Wenger had the courage to take that leap.
Source: http://feeds.examiner.ie/~r/iesportsblog/~3/mD-AhfAesAU/post.aspx
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