I never thought I’d say this, but Adrian Chiles and Andy Townsend made some very interesting points about Arsenal on the Champions League highlights show on ITV last night.
Chelsea, Townsend remarked,
often go through a state of major crisis. Managers are sacked, fans
protest, players are sold, new managers are hired, fans protest,
trophies are won.
This cycle repeats itself every year or so, and
trophies keep coming.
Conversely, Arsenal do not endure the
perennial crisis. The pundits stated that Arsenal go through
mini-crises.
They lose a few games, players get injured, fans protest,
Arsene’s position is questioned by every living journalist, they go on a
strong run, they qualify for the Champions League.
Crisis, of
course, is relative. Chelsea expect to win the league every season,
Roman Abramovich wants immediate success.
Arsenal on the other hand,
whether the fans like it or not, do not expect this. They expect fourth
place as a minimum, with any potential trophy a bonus.
Thus
Chelsea’s crises are on a grander scale; finishing sixth when your
target is first is far worse than struggling, but ultimately reaching,
your target.
Arsenal’s
model is undoubtedly morally and financially superior. As is common
knowledge, the club spends little and receives a lot.
What’s more,
players and managers are not discarded after a run of bad games.
This
of course is preferable. I do not want to see Wenger sacked, but if the
club could realise that it is in crisis, that would prove positive in
the long run.
The club is stuck in a different era. It is stagnant. Football is no longer an ethical business.
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