Arsenal is currently a team completely engrossed in rumors and uncertainty given their performances thus far in the season. The North London side have crashed out of the Champions League in an embarrassing fashion yet again, to familiar European opponents in the form of Bayern Munich. Especially concerning is that they’re in quite a precarious position in the League finding themselves just outside of the Champions League qualification places. Initially, it was reported that the side’s talisman, Alexis Sanchez was unhappy at the side but now the rumors have upped in seriousness.
The next rumor to come out of Arsenal is that long term manager Arsene Wenger might be leaving the club as he reportedly told players that he’s leaving at the end of the season. At this stage, this is nothing more than a rumor but there are some good reasons why he might be staying or going.
Firstly why Wenger might be leaving. For a fair few years now Arsenal have been just behind the title challengers. They’re without fail in the race for the top four but in the last 5 years or so have they really been contesting for the title? I personally would debate not. Outside of the Premier League the only competition in which a manager of a club like Arsenal should be heavily judged is the Champions League. Arsenal are a very well established club in England and they need to be able to compete in Europe as well as domestically. It’d be very harsh to say that they don’t have a team good enough to give most of Europe’s best sides but they just seem to struggle year on year. Credit where credit is due Arsenal regularly smash the competition in the group stages of the Champions League but so did a struggling Leicester side this season. The standard of English football is high enough so that most teams should get through the group stage unless the draw is especially unfriendly of course. But year on year Arsenal are knocked out in the round of 16. The club are neither progressing or falling back. Consistent Champions League football but consistent disappointment seems to follow. A nightmare to fans.
However this situation might seem like a dream to the owners. Consistent top four in the Premier League and Champions League participation brings in big money. Ditching Wenger for a new manager is a risk. Arsenal might win the title but it’s impossible to say that another manager would guarantee consistency in the way that Wenger has year on year. Therefore from the point of view of the owners why on earth would they want a new manager? It really comes down to their motives: if they want to win the title then the best option probably is to let Wenger leave if that’s what he wants. But given that the club probably still have a fair amount of debt from the building of the Emirates Stadium, the idea of consistently bringing in a reasonable amount of money fairly risk free probably doesn’t sound too bad for the owners.
In my opinion Arsene Wenger will still be manager of Arsenal come the start of next season but really it comes down to the intentions and direction that the owners desire. It could go either way but for me at least Wenger will still be at Arsenal for a few more seasons yet.
