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 
Andrew: “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!”
You hear the part where Arsene was talking about being able to understand people a lot easier thanks to his speaking five languages? That happens to me too. My brothers, both barely bilingual, are always amazed that I can talk for two minutes with a dude from Morocco, for example, and come away with a friend for life. You’d be surprised how many subtleties one can pick up from an accent or the way people formulate sentences, or the way people from other cultures kid with each other. The universe is that much bigger the more languages you speak. This is why I tell everyone with little kids to get them into language classes as soon as they can.
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Yes it’s changed Paul. It happens. YW has shifted ground somewhat, his prerogative of course. So rather a drastic change there in the space of a year though, but there you go. Most of you guys have all but cleared off, or been censored, so there’s hardly anyone left to stick up for the things that I/we hold dear. Weird to find yourself in a tiny minority now. I guess you felt that as well. So it goes.
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Bill is anything but all right. Don’t fall for the Mr Nice Guy act it’s how he operates. If you think he’s a teddy bear he thinks you won’t put the boot in but make no mistake he began the slow death of the ACLF comment section.
Non support dressed up as hand wringing fucking reasonableness.
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I like Bill, too, decent guy, plenty of time for him. Didn’t know about the horses, must admit.
Hello goonerkam!
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Bill could be mother Teresa’s little brother, but he is one of the most dense individuals I’ve ever communicated with.
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I like people who like animals.
I like a lot of animals ,not so many people though
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I have to say that Bill is really nice and courteous, even though he gets a lot of flak … and there wasn’t a day back in the old times where I wouldn’t have a discussion or two with him but he would always stay polite, even though with a repetitive tendency.
But unfortunately, when it comes to Arsenal, I just find that he is diametrically opposite from myself. I think I would like him much, much more i he wasn’t an Arsenal supporter, strange as that sounds.
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I agree with steww @ 8.53 pm – A wolf in sheep’s clothing
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Kids are out of the FA Youth Cup, sob sob. It’s uncanny how often youth games results mirror the first team and vice versa when they are only a couple of days apart. Gnabry and Akpom scored in a 2-4 defeat.
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what is ironic and sad the the ‘ unworthy BOY’ called HARRY a two faced person and then backtracked.
Pot calling the kettle and all that.
Backstabber.
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our spam bin is as funny as fuck
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Sounds like good advice Gains – I have nothing but respect for anyone able to tackle more than one language. I’m still grappling with English and I’m not sure George even got that far.
Don’t know about Bill’s role in the change at ACLF, Steww, but he was, ironically, a bit of a one-trick pony in respect of going on about the defence. At length. Over and over. But he’s not the first blogger to be guilty of not changing the record now and again.
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I would fight you to the death in defending your right to play for both teams, Harry. Be cool Bros, be cool.
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Those horses, George. I reckon he’s fattening them up.
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Bills wife is the one responsible for the horse rescue operation. He is all right just new to the sport and EPL and wants to model everything after American sports culture.
Can’t see the forest for the trees. You know.
Let’s throw the baby with bathwater. Impatience.
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I can take it on the chin Goonerkam. Storm in a teacup that. All sorted now.
Well Steww, you and Gains are harder than me. I haven’t really had much interaction with him over the years, only lately. I always try and see the best, doesn’t always work I’ll admit.
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See how Arsene talks about the last 11 games and the doomer twats completely ignore that?
Podolski is as much of an insider at Bayern as Carl Jenkinson is an insider at Leeds United. WTF, lady, do you even watch football?
No wonder Arsene likes Arteta. The guy is smart.
Arsene has won the F.A. cup more than any current manager. Take that, stupid.
That’s something people forget. Arsene has not only helped Arsenal make into the CL for sixteen years, he’s also made it into the second round every year since the move to the new stadium. City has missed out on the second round two years on the trot despite spending undreds of millions. I wish the doomer twats would at least acknowledge it’s not so easy to do what Wenger is doing.
Thank you fins and Paul for making the conference available.
Fins, are you subscribed to this guy’s cahnnel?
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pedantic george February 18, 2013 at 5:52 pm
ha go get em ninja george. remember the training in discipline..when you know something NOONE can fool you. i know who wenger is, what kind of football he represents and what he brings to arsenal and consequently to the game and noone can fool me or taunt me…in fact i will taunt them.
when the ill-informed know half the story, then they start guessing and getting paranoid and end up abusing because they cant understand whats going on …they will disguise it as offering an opinion but seriously they are just clueless and reacting in frustration.
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They dont like Hunter ,them misery boys
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Harry .can you go to ACLF and assure them no one on here is or will be allowed to disparage Yogis Warrior.
If anyone ,it would have been me ,And say that Will fellow is a lying twat foe suggesting it
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Speaking of good causes and sympathy and all. I was walking through Bow today and passed Gladstone’s statue. The one with the hand painted red in memory of the Match Girls. I have nothing but admiration for those ladies. The white phosphorus in the matches they were making caused their bones to rot which resulted in terrible disfigurement. On Friday nights they would push the boat out and apparently the gutters glowed where those that had drunk too much threw up.
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Hello ANDREW and everyone,,,,, 🙂
Oops,sorry FRANK,,,
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Christ George this is beginning to seem like a parlay between the ‘cowboys’ and the ‘indians’.
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Did he? Forget about it George. I don’t read the guys comments. Too sarcy. If he says anything like that again I’ll slap him down for sure, most of ’em are aware of the blog and no doubt read it anyway so they know he’s talking out of his hat. Some will have a dig, but f*ck ’em. You have a damned good thing here, and kudos for you and the others for getting it off the ground.
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NOT THE SMILEEEEEEY ….!!!
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It is a bit Frank. Caught in the crossfire, which is my own fault.
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You got whiskey, Harry?…and rifles?
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You always have an interesting vignette to share with us Frank! A history lesson as well as Arsenal talk!
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Is this not a fucking winky thing free zone?
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Those women could teach us all a lesson or two, Passenal.
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Whose the cowboys and whose the injuns though?
A smiley free zone. I’ve refrained from using for fearing of awakening the wrath of Frank.
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Nice post.
One can question at times how things are seen. A little doubt can creep in, questioning how one might not be seeing things straight.
At work today I managed to glimpse but snippets of things during the odd quiet spell and I was thinking ‘oooer, what Has Arsene said? the doomsayers are rejoicing’.
I’ve just come here, seen the press conference for myself and you know what? … the doomsayers are certainly selective in their interpretation of things, certainly looking for something to back up their ill thought out logic, certainly not seeing the wood for the trees and, in fact, certainly cunts.
It is so nice to have this little corner to come with my evening cuppa (or somesuch) and reaqffirm that there are sensible folk in the Arsenal world. .
Cheers folk.
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No winkys or lol’s here please.
Hunter gets a pass with the lols
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Awww Harry……I had no idea that I was inhibiting people’s desires to do winky things. Prohibition is simply not the answer. I am just appealing to people’s sensitivities and above all maturity in not popping the little buggers out.
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Stews description of bill just made me spit my beer out!(fucking funny), sorry Stew I can’t be unkind about someone that’s rescues animals-I like bill. Just catching up with all this wenger stuff-don’t you just love him even more?,fucking pricks in the media get on my goat,how about beating Bayern tomorrow to shut a few of em up?,I’ll be surrounded by ex-pats in Spain no doubt cheering on our opposition but like I always say,fuck em.
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I agree with Mel….and Steww
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George’s blog, George’s rules. No lols (shudders) or winkeys.
If I get the urge to, er, wink, I’ll say ten hail marys and cross myself ’til it disappears. Promise Frank.
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You are a good sort, Harry. A ‘bro’, in fact. Sorry about the ‘Bros’ mistake earlier. Apparently they were an excellent family music act.
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Yes Mel he was brilliant today. Shame some choose to put a negative spin on that as well.
Anyway, I’ll love ya and leave ya.
Here’s to tomorrow night. Can’t wait now.
ARSENAL
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Well this has been nice tonight
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As are you Frank. As are you all hereabouts come to think of it. That’s too much sugar isn’t it..
Coat.
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George I went on aclf earlier and was disparaging about you and yogi,I said Bobby Gees blog pissed over both of yours. He didn’t laugh either.
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I agree George. being positive is ok im my book. We support, whether we win, lose or draw and let AW do what no one else does better. All of the rest is bulls.
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“Well this has been nice tonight”
Yes, not a moment of hang-wringing to be had all evening!
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And it’s exactly what we need before tomorrow. Positive atmosphere, ready to support the team for the very important 90 minutes tomorrow.
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ZimPaul February 18, 2013 at 7:01 pm
head and shoulders above everyone else! and it really makes me angry when the doomcunts come back saying ” oh thats blind following” …. he has proven his worth …
take last year for example …how many of those who were calling for his head apologised when he got 3rd in the end ?
cowards…
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That a very good read Varun. Enjoyed the “And then fall from the edge” lol.
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Steww: “Bill is anything but all right. Don’t fall for the Mr Nice Guy act it’s how he operates. If you think he’s a teddy bear he thinks you won’t put the boot in but make no mistake he began the slow death of the ACLF comment section.
Non support dressed up as hand wringing fucking reasonableness.”
This is exactly the way I feel about that cunt Johnny. He was a doomer dressed like a reasonable, jokey guy.
By the way, where’s Dexter?
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I know we talk a lot about Arsene changing the club and what not, but does any one think that the club has had an impact on him? Since Arsenal has always been a conservative club with a flare for both the progressive, could it be that Wenger has been shaped by this tradition?
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hey there gains…i believe that when the board heard wenger explaining how their stadium project could work together with his ideas of creating academy ( for players, football style learning and to make money via sales) they were all looking at him with their mouths open going ” jesus fucking christ this guy is the fucking lottery”
i certainly would say the same if i were an owner/shareholder… in fact i cant wait for old pete to get better and come out with one of his pearls for the fans..legend!
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