“Well, what if there is no tomorrow? There wasn't one today.”
We all know how life at the Premiership works. You lose one match and when you wake up in the morning to read the papers you might have a club crisis on your hands. So it really won't come as much of a surprise to see Arsène Wenger's critics creeping out of the woodwork to continue their well documented judgements – not enough experience, not enough strength, not enough depth. Arsenal's supporters must themselves be a pit perturbed at Wenger's inability to bring in attacking options in the absence of Robin van Persie, not to mention shocked to see Sol Campbell, the only incoming player in the transfer window, back at the club.
Even the manager seems a bit fed up. After Sunday's loss to United Wenger criticised his side as “naïve” and pointed to “mental reasons” for why his side fell so short. The real question though is what does that say about Wenger? We've seen his young Arsenal side produce some scintillating football but repeatedly fail when confronted with physical challenges, “anti-football” and opposition players who can take long throw-ins. The issue has reached a comic point now as almost every report on the club finds room to break out the Islington kindergarteners line. But if his youngsters are naïve, shouldn't we label their manager likewise to continue with them?
As with a tragic hero, the Frenchmen's strengths can also be his undoing. Wenger's stubbornness and rigid adherence to his footballing philosophy produced one of the most fantastic sides from the past two decades. Yet these same qualities have meant Arsenal have not won anything in five years and failed to finish in the top two during that same period. There's no doubt of Wenger's eye for talent, shrewdness on the transfer market, and advocacy of the beautiful game. But that won't necessarily win you titles. Just as Don Revie. Well, I guess we can't technically ask Don Revie...
It's no secret, Wenger just cannot, or refuses, to adapt. What do you do when facing a physical Stoke City who like to utilize Rory Delap's long throw-ins? Apparently nothing, until after the match when you have a bit of a moan and wildly suggest the possibility of kick-ins. And what happens when your side faces an packed central midfield of Paul Scholes, Michael Carrick and Darren Fletcher? You think you might want to throw on a couple wingers and stretch the game out, but instead Wenger decided to crowd things further with Song, Fabregas, Nasri and Denílson in the midfield. Meanwhile Nani and Park bombed down the wings to devastating effect and left Arsenal looking well and truly like, well, Islington kindergarteners.
Of course you can't sack Wenger because he lost to United, the second place side in the league. And you can't sack him after Arsenal lose to Chelsea, the top side in the league, next weekend. But you do have to ask questions. Wenger might have to cut a piece of humble pie and take a look at his “untouchable” counterpart Ferguson as an example. The Scotsman has constantly been destructing and constructing sides since he took over at Old Trafford. A quickness to offload players, further quickness to give aging players a chance, changing formations and a revolving door of assistant managers has ensured Manchester United have consistently remained in the trophy hunt season after season.
While Wenger is often praised for his production line of good little footballers, his saving grace might be to gamble with a player who won't always say yes; with a bit of a rash streak to them but who can propel a team forward almost at sheer will. Not unlike another Frenchmen, one whom helped kick off Ferguson's success at United.
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Now that the first month of this new year new has passed we can begin to asses what lies in store for us in 2010.
Ronaldo reincarnated in Nani? I for one can't wait to see another Portuguese winger hepped up on steroids, photographed in bulging swim trunks, necking with Paris Hilton and flirting with a move to Real Madrid. Some flashy tricks, a few goals and crashing an expensive sports car wouldn't hurt either.
It seems Robinho has finally got some sense knocked into him and realized what a great career move leaving Manchester City can be. It did wonders for Richard Dunne. Robinho to win the World Cup in South Africa to this summer. Who knows how many boxes of condoms he'll need for that celebration...
Wayne Rooney will get injured prior to South Africa. You know it'll happen. What on earth will journalists do if he doesn't? England needs her daily metatarsal updates. Ad men at daily publications across the country demand them.
Rafael Benitez to remain in charge of Liverpool next season. Hilarious.
Sir Alex Ferguson discovers the best way to “put City in their place” and fields his U-16 Academy team in the Carling Cup Final. Post match reaction: “We just didn't want them to bloody win it! Even if its only the Mickey Mouse Cup!”
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