Arsenal’s identity is inextricably linked to Wenger, so what should they do after his latest humiliation? Here we pinpoint four issues the club must address nowHowever Arsenal proceed in the summer, one of their primary considerations will be the identity the club have cultivated under Arsène Wenger. That goes far beyond the football pitch: in common with most of their direct rivals at home and abroad, Arsenal have been voracious in their drive to enlist a global support base and everybody needs their unique selling point. Related: Obsession over who can fill Arsène Wenger’s shoes obscures Arsenal’s real problems | Toby Moses Related: Arsène Wenger: I will manage next season, at Arsenal or somewhere else Related: Thiago Alcântara and Bayern...
The jadedness Wenger identified after their defeat to Bayern Munich has been there for too long and the club face the kind of shake-up they traditionally avoidThe words that clanged in the immediate aftermath were “mentally very jaded” and, if Arsène Wenger chose them with reference to his players and the specifics of a dismal second-half breakdown, the truth is that phrase is applicable at Arsenal Football Club with a significantly broader brush. The dictionary definition of jaded feels piercingly critical: dulled or satiated by overindulgence; worn out or wearied; dissipated.Jaded seemed to be everywhere for the beleaguered visitors in Munich – in the all too familiar image of Alexis Sánchez down on his haunches staring into space; in Mesut...
The embattled manager saw his team fold at disturbing speed against Bayern despite the efforts of a frustrated Alexis Sánchez, and the end now seems a lot nearerAt times, as Arsenal’s players flickered in and out of focus during a traumatic second half in Munich, it was almost possible beneath the roars and whoops and gurgles of a sated home crowd to hear the sound of something else. Departures, farewells, changing trains, a little distant exit applause.For 15 first‑half minutes this Champions League last 16 first leg had swung wildly on its axis. From 1-0 down Arsenal were led back into the game by a passage of thrillingly angry, high-energy centre-forward play from Alexis Sánchez, who became briefly an embodiment...
Channels such as Arsenal Fan TV claim they give supporters the chance to have their say but are viewers just hoping to watch a car-crash moment?It was freezing outside the Emirates Stadium but that had not stopped the crowd. Small children were hoisted on the shoulders of their parents and one adult was holding a sign that read “#no bad energy”. All in all there must have been at least 200 people craning to hear a chartered accountant share his views on a hum-drum victory against Hull City. And they were all standing in absolute silence.This was the scene as Arsenal Fan TV recorded their latest instalment on Saturday. 22 latest instalments, to be accurate, each filmed, cut and uploaded...
Today’s fluff is considering upping its salt intakeIt’s February and the season is hotting up: this week sees the resumption of the Champions League and the FA Cup, the League Cup final is next week, and the Premier League is also racing towards a climax. Naturally, all keen footballing minds are therefore focused on the summer transfer window, which is going to be great! Avoid the rush and book the 31 August off work now!One player who might be on the move is Alexis Sánchez: amazingly, it’s turned out that having his career ruined by team-mates who do not share his talent, focus and desire cannot be mitigated by a pair of twee dog banners. And, in any event, he’s...