Guest post by Varun Shukla (@WengerArmy)
“I want more blood” says Arsene Wenger in the papers. No, he hasn’t turned into a vampire overnight. He’s definitely not asking the team to go into challenges studs up to inflict flesh wounds. Asked about his opinion on match fixing in football – specifically on the allegations of Real Sociedad players having used performance enhancing substances, he said “I would support regular blood tests as they are quicker in showing results.”
While that line in itself shows his intellectual capabilities – in the sense that no other manager would have a half-decent opinion on this topic (Martin Jol, Fergie and the rest – can’t imagine them even being asked their opinions on such matters) here’s another extract which shows why he is called The Professor:
“Look at psychological tests that have been done on people who are at the top in all sports. Ask them if they would take a product that would guarantee them a gold medal or a world championship but mean that they died in the next five years, and 50 per cent people of say they would take it. That is quite scary. That is absolutely massive, that is how far people are ready to go to win, in all sports, not just football. If you go to amateur level and do that test, only two per cent say they would take it.”
What’s really impressive about this interview is the fact that he cares about the sport enough to look beyond short term objectives. Ask any other manager in the modern era and he’ll say being a manager is all about winning stuff and being comfortable with the board – the usual sporting chatter. And that’s about it. Most managers are excellent within the domain of the football pitch and clueless outside of it.
Wenger is equally comfortable discussing the world economy as he is with football. From talking about the nuances of various cultures around the globe to helping trainers figure out fitness and dietary regimes, he knows it all. He even had inputs on the new stadium and training centre. Ask him about the Obama presidency and he’s sure to come up with valid opinions.
His parents owned a bistro, which he admitted was the best thing to happen to him at that age because he picked up pointers in footballing tactics and “a practical, psychological education”. This would help him later on as a player, where his role on the pitch was ‘the eyes of the coach ’- implementing the manager’s wishes through coordination with his team. Many, such as Max Hild (his mentor) have said that he was more interested in discussing tactics than playing the game itself! He had a ‘complete vision of the pitch’ even at that young age.
A large part of this ‘intelligence’ comes down to the human he is. Of course he has a Masters in microeconomics among other qualifications, but the way he imbibed the positives in the environment around him is what set him apart from the start – be it tactics from the pub, discipline from the Army or the cultural influences that came from living on the Franco-German border; he has always been analytical and methodical in his approach.
How many managers can claim to have a vision of how they want the game to be played? Sure, they might claim that they ‘like’ a particular style but they change it often. Wenger wants his teams to play fluid, attacking football with a focus on perfect synergy and understanding. That is the underlying principle in any of his strategies or tactical changes. The times that we see an ‘un-Arsenal’ -like performance is more often due to confidence issues with the players and their familiarity with each other than any major tactical errors.
The stadium move is another example of his foresight. At that time, Manchester United were the only real contenders (along with us) for the league. He and the club realized that a move to a bigger stadium would increase revenue and eventually result in us becoming a more potent force than ever, able to compete with the very best in Europe. What no one could foresee was the way this would coincide with massive amounts of money poured into the game by Chelsea and Man City which effectively changed the whole landscape of the league.
The move, which imposed financial restrictions on us, coupled with the oil money, created a huge gulf in terms of resources. He was criticized for Project Youth – buying and promoting young talent from within the Academy when in reality, it was the only logical course. To spend more at that time would have meant ever-increasing debt and a tightening of the banker’s noose around our throats. He almost won the league in 07/08 and then again in 10/11, for heaven’s sake! It didn’t help that certain players did not share his vision and belief – they chose to leave at the most inopportune times.
Self sustainability was, and is still the best way to run a football club. It is the Arsenal Way.
He was criticized again for playing certain players – Ramsey on the wings for example. That criticism stems from one thing only. People appreciate the immediate short term results and fail to see what Arsene’s getting at. Playing on the wings has definitely improved Ramsey’s decision making – we can see that now when he plays in the ‘Arteta role’. Other recent examples include Mertesacker – who was expected as a ‘defender’ to do the last ditch tackle and clearance routine but in reality his positioning makes up for any lack of speed. Similarly Giroud – he was widely regarded as van Persie’s ‘replacement’. He’s not. He’s a totally different player with a different set of attributes. His strength lies in hold up play, his physicality and instinct in the penalty area.
Another of Arsene’s noteworthy qualities lies in the way he interacts with the squad. He allows the players to develop their own opinions about the way they should play the game as long as that does not interfere with the overall philosophy of the team’s playing style. A positive, friendly environment is created amongst the players through the trust and belief the manager has in them. He allows the players their freedom as long as they train and play professionally.
Trademark also the fact that he values footballers for the people that they are as well. One needs only to look at the way Diaby has been trusted time and again and these words:
“He leads a very simple life – doesn’t drink or smoke. It is unfortunate that he has had these injuries, through no fault of his. He deserves a chance.”
Almost every time the media manipulate his words and attack him mercilessly, he retorts with a witty comment. On the other hand, we have Ferguson who belittles referees, teams and journos, Holloway who recently ranted at reporters when asked about Zaha. Yet Wenger is considered ‘senile’ and Ferguson ‘the greatest ever’.
All this is beside the fact that he has bought into the history and values of the Club with a passion not seen ever before in a manager. On the 125th anniversary last year, he said:
“ My dream is to see a manager 1000 years from now addressing Arsenal supporters in much the same way (as now when we are consistent)”.
The man’s whole LIFE is geared to making our club the greatest for generations to come, not winning a tinsel pot to salvage his reputation. How many times has he taken stick from all corners for his policies, just to defend his vision for the Club?
Just for that he deserves all accolades he can get. The so called ‘Wenger Out’ brigade can take a hike. To the Himalayas. And then fall from the edge of Everest.
For me, Arsene Wenger is the greatest manager of Arsenal Football Club, quite possibly of all time.
Positively Arsenal 
G69, here is the vid. I am not sure if you have to login to facebook or not though.
https://apps.facebook.com/performgoal/?fb_source=search&ref=ts&fref=ts
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With friends like these: John Cross & the Arseblogger just on Radio5: John Cross not for the first time acting like a total twunt, trying to describe the presser as a Meltdown, and got shot down for talking bollocks by the’blogger of all people (kind of a joke, that last bit.).
Paolo DI Canio has just resigned! There’s a candidate for the desperate bannerwankers (Can’t be worse then Owen Coyle. Wait. Hang on….)
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Actually I was kidding about kidding about sausages and beans. I fucking hate sausages and beans.
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“Where is everyone?”
I’m around Paul, just not able to post while at work and often when I come on in the evening everyone else has gone!
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Where’s George? We need to get you onto the radio George. You got an agent? We need to get you an agent.
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Probably having his tea…….
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…..his mates are on TV on Mondays
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Perhaps George is getting ready to fight the good fight on the Fans Forum? I can just imagine what a horror-show that will be.
I do feel for Arsene having to sit down in front of those hooligans from the press – they are desperate to pull him down to show their muscle. The club must stand firm because they owe him more than money can compensate. He is a braver man than I as I would tell them where to stuff their disrespectful questions and just pay the fines for refusing to provide them with their weekly entertainment.
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Gains – what a brilliant video! Not seen it before, a real treat.AW just keeps on going up in my estimation. The bit where he (a Frenchman) is explaining the difference in the nature of sentence construction in Japanese compared to English AND getting a laugh from a room full of school kids did my head in somewhat!
Extraordinary stuff.
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You wouldn’t be the only one Passenal, by a long stretch. Can you imagine ol Red Nose putting up with a fraction of this puerile nonsense?
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Cant imagine the fans would appreciate me on the radio Frank
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i really hope AW can hang in there a few more years… this team without selling in the summer will do great things next season! its why am so glad Theo was not sold…
imagine if only 3 or 4 or those sold in the last few years had stayed back?
Eduardo Reyes and hleb even for example
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Good to see you Passenal. It’s always a pleasure!
I am so looking forward to our team shocking the world again tomorrow..
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Comments on the ‘Meltdown’ from the comments section to the video:
–
“It’s about time - Arsene has been condoning the rubbish from the media for far too long!!”
“And people want to say Wenger doesn’t care.”
“He bossed that conference”
“Some of the most stupid, straight-forward questions here, no wonder he got angry.”
“Arsene went HAM on their asses haha”
“#COYG .., one Arsene Wenger 😉 “
“11:52 what kind of question is that?
And I love Wenger’s answer, lol”
“Good Arsene, he needs to get ANGRY, and give it to the team and those fucking reporters, as he says, all they want to do is hurt the club,”
“What a boss. Fuck these reporters”
“most journalists are fucking cunts* that just make up so much bullshit and give arsenal so much stick” *a few colleagues from MurdochCorp have just been charged by da PoLice! Funny, eh?
Meltdown my Arsenal.
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and Team Spirit! How is it going sis?
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Question: Is sausage and beans the same as pork ‘n beans?
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Exactly Fins. I thought he was f*cking brilliant. Patience of a saint usually, everyone has a breaking point..
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am good bro… how are ur gals doing.
once in a while its good to answer those pressmen in their folly lest they keep thinking they are very smart and start believing the rubbush they say because they have said it too often
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Gains, thanks for sharing that video. What a brilliant man Arsene Wenger is. I can’t imagine not wanting him to stay at Arsenal as long as he wants to stay.
But, I know lots of people here in the States that would be pissed off at his progressive attitudes toward language, culture, and true global awareness. “America first! The hell with everyone else!” they would say. “I don’t need to learn another language. If you want to live here learn to speak English”. Never mind that most of those people don’t speak any form of correct English that I understand anyway. And are there many in England who share that same attitude? Does that drive some of the vitriol aimed at him? As long as you are winning its fine, but otherwise you’re just a bloody foreigner? I’m truly curious to understand this dynamic.
Someone mentioned earlier “right-wing attitudes” coming into play. It’s not that simple of course, as I’d guess there are plenty of progressively-minded people who are unsure about the future of #AFC. But I’ll bet most of those people don’t engage in tacky abuse of the manager and the players on Twitter.
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How soon some tossers forget
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The response to the question “you wants to win the CL…?” was too funny.
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The are great, TS. Baby is in JA with mummy and I am home taking care of the eldest daughter, tightening up on my hair combing skills!
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they
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George….Bill (yes that Bill,) wishes you all the best of luck and congratulations with this here blog.
Don’t shoot the messenger.
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@ harry lol.
what stops bill from carrying his own message though?
@paul good to hear… keep building up that skill set you are gonna need it more and more
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Congrats MASTER GEORGE..
give em hell…
I knew you could not shut up a good man for long.
Good on you….
UP WITH THE GUNNERS OF ARSENAL!!!!!!!!!
LONG LIVE. AW !!!!!!!!!!
COYG…….
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Other than being tedious and annoying as heck, I like Bill.
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Arsenal’s FA Youth Cup tie against Everton not going very well. Score was 1-1 at HT it is now 1-4 to Everton with about an hour gone.
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I think he did Team Spirit. George has probably moderated him. Which makes my passing on the message irrelevant, as George has already received it.
I ain’t half confused myself now. Easily done.
I’ll get my coat.
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=> “Other than being tedious and annoying as heck, I like Bill.”
I would add ‘repetitive’ as well
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That was good of Bill, Harry. Thanks for passing his message on.
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Isn’t that what they mean by “a backhanded compliment” Paul.
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Looking forward to seeing Per and Lukas tomorrow night. Actually just looking forward to watching Arsenal vs Bayern tomorrow. European nights are my favourite. I love these games.
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I think so Harry. It was lighthearted all the same. This is not personal, I just cannot deal with the moaning.
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Btw, Harry, perhaps you could tell Bill that he is a fucking boring cunt and he can shove it up his arse.
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anymore, that is
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Whoops sorry, Paul-N, we seem not to be on the same page on this one. My dad.
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I know Paul, I’m only kidding. He does go on a bit.
Said with real affection though Frank eh?
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Just checked with a younger member of the family. It seems the phrase is ‘my bad’. Explains a few strange looks I’ve been getting recently.
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lol @ Frank.
I am still annoyed about the happenings but I have a home in PA that is more suited to what I think an Arsenal blog should be. It was excellent for a while but what I thought was the cause has been lost. Such is life.
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Oh yes. Put as much affection in as you want, Harry.
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Bill dedicates his life to looking after abused Horses .You cant dislike a man like that .
Bill .I believe is a very decent human being.
A right pain in the bum about Arsenal though
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I cant wait for tomorrow. It will be a treat!
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You ‘playing for both teams’, Harry?
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Or what Frank said
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that too dups.
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Hehehe
The whole freaking gang is here ,awesome..
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He’s alright is Bill. Moans a lot. Wouldn’t do you any harm though
I’ve been accused of that today already Frank. Still post there, yes. More slings and arrows at me these days, but I don’t mind. I think everyone knows where I stand regarding matters Arsenal and Arsene.
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Playing for both teams is fine, Harry, as long as you do commit the occasional stupid back-heel flick at the edge of the box to gift us a goal!
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That is so strange to me Harry, there was a time when most of us were likeminded. wow!
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