It is funny how the phrase "....bites the very same hand that feeds him." keeps circling round the media these days. Football has never been a sport of loyalty these days. Gone are the days where fans are just that: Fans. Happy when the team wins and Very unhappy when they lose.
Nowadays, they have access to pre-game talkshows, formations, tactics and media over-hype. Its as if Fans nowadays are the "rightful managers" of their "beloved" clubs. Responding to my post earlier that this could be a good month in Dec for Arsenal, i obviously wasnt expecting a lapse of confidence (And effort) against Swamsea. Perhaps my delusional self had warranted that Arsenal could not get any worse could it? We did just that last weekend.
But it brings me back to my subject. After the game, the Black Scarf Movement and some other fans jeered the team at the end and was also asking questions of the team, board and Wenger. I feel it is justified to some extent. You pay good money nowadays to enjoy an Arsenal game and the over-hyped Wenger philosophy of attacking football and all you get is Pie in your face.
They have the right to boo as Arteta said as i back these section of fans. After a poor start this season (I mean the first 6 games or so), Wenger rallied the supporters. They responded! (A rare sensibility seldom seen in modern day fans) I remember clearly that after a horrendous showing in the last game we lost, the fans listened to Wenger and didn't get at the team and victimize our players. They rallied and supported, chanted even at Away games while losing till the 90th minute. But thereafter, we had false hope in some games, utter lack of urgency in most of the others led to this new melodramatic scene.
I can only say, it is time for the real characters in our team to stand up. Remember a certain Gallas slumping and refusing to get off the pitch in one game, thereafter criticisng his own teammates. Well ,his methods are wrong but he sure had the heart to want to change something. People have to have the fire in their belly like old Wrighty would say. So step up Walcott, Arteta (Went AWOL past 3 games i watched), Vermaelan (Stop those lapses and off-balance falls - They cost points!) and even Wilshere (Make us proud of the number 10 again!). Their game needs to step up
Other than the team, i feel that the protestors have got much of their anger directed wrongly though. It is in my view that their criticism of the board is unfounded and more a case of succumbing to media pressure and self over-hype. Because without the board's steady stewarding (Notice i used this word? It is in my view that the club shouldnt be sold like a company shares to the highest bidder. Look at Man Utd or Man. City or Chelsea. It should in part belong for the purpose of its fans.), Arsenal would definately have fallen to a much lower predicament it is in now.
Another false arrow lies in the blame on Wenger. Like i said, it is amazing how finally the core turns inwards to the very same hand that feeds them. Yes, i feel that Wenger is no saint or a perfect tactician. He has made several selection decisions this year that are indeed new lows for him. But if you were to analyze the games with the opposition strength, tactics and players fielded in mind, it is clear that the players let him down first and foremost. When this happens, it can become a slippery slope very quickly. But we have to ask the final question. Does he have control and hold over his players anymore. The answer is a resounding yes.
So alas, what is happening is unfixable? No, Wenger never gives up. Appreciate this trait of his if you still will. He will have tweaked his transfer policies, formations and strategies to match his ambition. People say he is a man happy with 3rd or 4th. I disagree. Circumstances made us 3rd and 4th. But look carefully what his ambition is and still is throughout the season even when hammered by the media and even our own fans, Wenger tends to say that winning it is still possible until the team gives up on him every year. Some part of that due to high-profile departures that set-back the Arsenal a few months each time.
Have faith. Wenger is a man with unbelievable faith. That is why his players work for him. Believe in their abilities and the coaching he does. It is the reason he has a doctorate in Psychology. He is a mind-obsessesd. And i can only assure true-hearted Gooner fans that he still bleeds Arsenal in him. So we need to turn the corner and stick together. It is a quest of a man whose stewardship is not the most successful i admit but with alot of spirit. There is a point i have to agree though. Supporting the modern day Arsenal is never easy. Always i hear, we have such a good squad, good football, it must be that we are champions this year or the next. But reality has it that the more beautiful the game you try to play, the task to win it or even win it consistently every few years is much much harder. No disrespecting Man Utd, Chelsea or Man City. The beautiful soccer isnt result-driven. It is much more played with heart. I can feel for my fellow Gooner fans having watched the telepathy in previous teams to expect the same. It takes time firstly, the correct hungry players with talent and the luck (Opposition form, decisions, etc) to win it in style like we used too.
Lets pray for more creativity in the park and the urgency back in our next game. Keep the faith. In Arsene we trust.
