For the sake of rationale and not emotions, let’s concede that Arsenal has been in a state of paralysis for the past couple of seasons. As much as the results were pathetic, the performances in some of the games last season were bordering on the indecent.
The lack of heart shown on the road, and at home, in 2018 was symptomatic of Wenger’s dwindling influence on the players and the club.
Lists of potential contenders were drawn up for, seemingly, England’s most sought-after job. The biggest names were thrown about in studios and in the boardroom.
As the days ticked by, it seemed like a pick between the inimitable Massimiliano Allegri and a candidate out of left field – Mikel Arteta.
We’d all hoped that Wenger’s departure would help heal the wounds and divisions at the club and among the fans, but the two choices seemed to only further drive a wedge between the two section of supporters.
Those who wanted to focus on the football on the pitch and not worry too much about the results or, simply put, carry on with the Wenger way, sided with the former Arsenal captain.
I surprisingly found myself on the other side of the fence craving for some much needed defensive solidity and team cohesion – the only two components missing from Wengerball – with a focus on attacking football – very much a component of Wengerball.
Somehow, the board faced with two contrasting options sure to piss the other side off, managed to split it right down the middle and went with Unai Emery, pissing the whole lot of them off. Only the board at Arsenal Football Club, folks.
Neither does he come with his own brand of exciting football and neither can he be attributed with the success of bringing a team together to function as a unit.
Of all the Carlo Ancelottis and Thierry Henrys and Patrick Vieras in the world, we went with the man who somehow contrived to lose the farmer’s league to AS Monaco a couple of seasons ago and has won the Europa League. Thrice. Woah! Stop the press.
With the modern-day uncertainties of the shifting geopolitical alliances, when we seem to have lost complete touch with our basic human values when states seem to alienate their ideals for petty gains, don’t you think the world can find relevance in the leadership provided by Wenger?
We may not have had all that money or influence – the financial might of oligarchs and princes – but we had principles. In a world where nothing was the way it ought to have been, Arsène Wenger was our knight in shining armour.
We lived through the Tony Adams and Martin Keown farewells, the Barcelona blow in the Champions League, the moving blues, Thierry Henry, Ashley Cole, Cesc Fabregas, Robin van Persie, Samir Nasri and Alexis Sanchez’s departures.
We lived through Birmingham in 2011. All because we had our saviour. What now, Stan? What now?
We’ve seen perfection under Arsene Wenger; despite all the lengthy silverware droughts, the constant injury concerns, the lack of basic game-management even, nothing but the best would do.
Because, for all the heartache that comes from watching your team bottle it when it matters the most, the constant faltering every February, the fizzling out of our title challenge year after year, every once in a while we go through an entire season unbeaten.
Every once in a while, we attain perfection. Every once in a while, we become Invincible.
Unai Emery, are you up to the task? Go on, show us what you’ve got. But remember, we’re only used to the best.
We’re only used to Arsene Wenger.