What is Arsene Wenger thinking?
By Jocelyn Taub
Fans have made it known that they feel it’s time for Arsene Wenger to step down. What is not clear is what the manager himself is thinking.
Arsene Wenger has been Arsenal manager since 1996. He has achieved a lot with the club and has become synonymous with the North London side.
Unfortunately a lot of the manager’s accomplishments have been overshadowed by the team’s recent dip in form. Add to that the ongoing saga of whether Wenger will stay or leave at the end of the season and you have the makings of a great reality show. You could call it “Keeping Up With Wenger” or “North London’s Next Top Football Manager”.
Fans and pundits have been making their feelings known for weeks. What we haven’t been privy to are Wenger’s thoughts on his own situation. It would be interesting to know what he’s actually thinking.
Wenger in conversation with Wenger (using various Wenger quotes)
If we could hear the conversation going on inside Arsene Wenger’s head it would probably sound something like this:
What is that song by that band, “Should I Stay or Should I Go Now”? I keep asking myself that question. All those that want to know if I will be signing a new contract. They should not worry, I know what I will do in my future. They will soon know. Very soon.
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Those fans that are holding banners that say #WengerOut they lack mental strength. Don’t they know that I am the professor? I have worked very hard for 20 years to make our fans happy and when you lose games, they are not happy. I do not want to judge that but do my daily work with complete commitment. After that, I have said many times that you have to accept different opinions.
I still have the same passion for the game. I love my club even more today than 20 years ago. In my job, you expect to suffer. That’s why when I go to hell one day, it will be less painful for me because I’m used to suffering.
If I left I would feel a deserter – like the guy who walks away from the army once there is a war. I am highly committed to this club. I love what I do here and love the spirit of the team.
It’s all about mental strength
Our current problems have to do with a lack of mental strength. At West Brom we had 77 per cent of possession but we didn’t create enough chances. We need more mental strength.
Remember, a football team is like a beautiful woman. When you do not tell her, she forgets she is beautiful. Here at Arsenal we are a beautiful team. Unlike that other North London side. I tried to watch a Spurs match on television in my hotel once, but I fell asleep.
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Strangely enough many fans accuse me of not spending money on quality players. I’m not scared to spend money. If they went out with me one night, they would understand that.
You cannot say that you are happy when you don’t win. I believe the target of anything in life should be to do it so well that it becomes an art.
My job is to give people who work hard all week something to enjoy on Saturdays and Wednesdays.
I will make sure we are mentally prepared for every game and prove my doubters wrong. I’ll show that windbag Mourinho and make sure that Granit Xhaka gets no more red cards and that Ryan Shawcross doesn’t break any more of my players’ legs. I plan to teach Mark Clattenburg how to properly referee a match and make sure that Andre Marriner knows the difference between Kieran Gibbs and the Ox.
Next: Will Arsene Wenger stay, or will he go?
At some clubs success is accidental. At Arsenal it is compulsory. I am supposed to take the bullets and absorb them. Like a bear. A polar bear. So therefore, I am a bear who will take the bullets. I am staying!