Wilson wrote:This is what just leaves me exasperated. We have the foundations of a super club in terms of stadium, revenue, and the natural benefit of being in a major European city which can attract players. Yet so many reduce this club to Wenger's standards, and even when discussion occurs of replacing Wenger, Henry gets a mention. Why cant ths club move outside the bubble and pursue a new direction? Whats wrong with bringing someone in with no former connections to the club? Its either Wenger, or a Wenger disciple like Henry, or Vieira, or Bergkamp.
Then there is the case of discussion of how the next manager needs 'to be like Wenger'. For instance, its been said before that Simeone wouldn't be a good fit because he 'couldnt carry on Wenger's work' due to the difference in playing style and philosophy. Or when Eddie Howe got a positive mention because 'his teams play good attacking football'. Doesnt matter that Simeone is competing at the top end, whilst Howe is bobbing along at Bournemouth - in some peoples mind, Howe is a better fit for Arsenal because he is 'more like Wenger'.
How can we ever compete, when we reduce ourselves to the limitations of Wenger? And even at the idea of him leaving, so many want his shadow to cast high and wide by replacing him with a mini-me. Such replacements include former players, and managers like Howe and Martinez. Yet if you suggest a tactician or defensive minded manager, even if its Simeone - the Wenger fan boys recoil in horror at the idea of a clean break from Wenger.
When Stalin died, the Soviet Union underwent 'de-stalinization'. The same thing must happen at Arsenal. When Wenger leaves, we must commence 'de-wengerization', because the cult of personality and god like status he commands among the simple minded feebs, is a danger to the club. As we risk boxing ourselves in forever, as we will forever ask ourselves, 'would Wenger have done this'? Example, lets say 10 years from now, we come into some money and contemplate breaking the transfer record - it could just be that within the club, the phrase, 'Wenger wouldnt have done this' would echo, and it would guide decision making.
I want a clean break. An outsider as manager, and his coaching staff need to come form the outside as well. No Wenger loyalists!!
I know exactly what you mean Wilson, makes me laugh when people say Simeone plays boring football etc. have they watched Arsenal this season?, we are dire to watch most of the time, we lost our entertaining tag at least 3-4 years back, plus it's a lame argument anyway, Spurs always used the 'but we play good football' excuse when failing to win anything for decades on end, we are sinking to their level (and below!).
As for a clean break, I don't think that will be an issue when he finally buggers off, the likes of Primorac won't find work under anyone else, which is probably why they get so snappy at any criticism of Wenger, of course they see it as loyalty.
When something is working you retain it and if possible add to it, but if something isn't working the last thing you should do is persevere with it for another few years
