Arsene Wenger insists that waiting until the spring before deciding on his future is not a problem for Arsenal.
Last time around the boss waited until the Gunners had secured success in the FA Cup in May 2014 – a matter of weeks before his last contract was due to end – before committing to a new deal. He maintains that he’s happy to do the same again this time around.
Asked ahead of the visit of West Bromwich Albion if the board were happy to wait for his decision, Wenger replied:
“Yes. I always said that I will judge where I stand in spring and make my decisions then.
“And the club is free as well. It’s not because I am here a long time that I have any rights. We are both in the same boat.”
On whether his decision to bide his time could affect Arsenal’s planning both on and off the pitch, he added: “No. I don’t think so.
“There are plenty of managers who arrived at the end of their contract. It happened to me before.
“I signed sometimes in March, April for longer contracts. So I don’t think it’s a problem.
“I have worked everywhere I have been until the last day of my contract with total commitment. That’s why maybe I can go back everywhere I was, because people respect that.”
There’s nothing really new here from the boss. We’ve known for quite a while that he has no intention of making a decision until later in the season.
That questions over his future have made headlines in the aftermath of two bad results was utterly predictable. If there is a difference this time around it’s that a potential replacement, Ralph Hasenhüttl, has spoken openly about being approached by Gunners officials.
In the circumstance, it’s absolutely vital that the club starts succession planning, just in case the unexpected happens and Wenger does call time on his 20 years at the club.
Like a jam doughnut, not everyone’s favourite but you know what your gonna get, at least until the jam leaks all down your chin on the last possible bite and gets sticky for the rest of the day because you can’t get to the bathroom to wash my face and also don’t really want to because you’re still enjoying the sugary remnants of St. Tottringgams Day. I did mean to imply more parallels but now I just want a doughnut.
If we’re out of the title race and out of Europe it would take some balls to sign a new contract.
He’s definitely signing the contract. We already know that Arsenal not about winning trophies and people in the boardroom have a built a business that can’t survive without Wenger.
Really, why would he leave?
How can people genuinely follow this club, listen to Wenger’s comments, and say with a straight face that he does not care about winning the PL? Absolutely mind boggling to me…
Anyone who’s see his actions over the last decade that’s who
His actions…? What actions? What on earth are you talking about? Are you trying to say he has deliberately attempted to not win trophies..? Nobody outside of delusional Arsenal fans believe that nonsense.
My God we’re a spoiled fanbase. We are literally the Veruka Salt of PL fans lol.
His actions rather than his words.
For the record I don’t doubt his desire, although victory must come only if it’s met with certain conditions, but his competence.
He’s at best the 5th best manager in the league and as such we’ll never win the league again with him. Time to move on.
He absolutely wants to. I think it is silly to think he doesn’t and to question whether he does his best to win it. As great as he still is, sadly I think the reality is that he just isn’t capable of it anymore
Whatever. Yes he wants to, but he is inflexible and not ruthless enough to do the things needed. There is a incentive to perform when your job is on the line. He has not had an inkling of that ‘good stress’ since his first four plus year.
You have a point regarding him being inflexibile. It’s true we would all like to win more trophies. But let’s not forget we have been in the top 4 for donkey years. I know we take it for granted nowadays since it is almost a given, but it’s not fair to say that he has been really poor performance wise and has been a disaster in recent years
Ok we’ve been in the top 4 for years and so what? I mean it’s not a trophy. We get into the Champions League only to be knocked out in the early stages.
I just don’t see the point. What just to brag to spurs fans that we finished above them?
It’s also consistency. Knowing we will always be one of the top teams in the league and play the very best teams in Europe every year. Of course we all want Arsenal to win trophies and I am just as disappointed that we have not won the league for a while but consistently being in the top 4 teams in the league is not as easy as it looks and we sometimes take it for granted. I think when he finally does leave we will struggle at least for a few years. Maybe it will be a neccessary evil for… Read more »
It’s a really unique situation that we find ourselves in. Nobody can say for sure that if we get a new manager in anything will change, especially when you take into consideration how the Premier League consistently chews up and spits out new managers that previously had decent records in other leagues. And as much as I like the ‘new breed’ of managers i.e Klopp, Pochettino, Guardiola, Conte – these guys still struggle in our league. I know Chelsea are top now and they’re in a prime position to win the League, but it might not happen, and prior to… Read more »
‘Sorry we were just joint third in the league.
As a club fan it pains to drop points like that but I still believe the gunners will live up to expectations. Go gunners!
I don’t think it’s enough to not offer a new contract at end-season.
We must sack the Venga now. Then hire Harrsenhuttl.
We must not stop here however: once we hire Hassenbuttl, we must SACK him, then unsack Venga and Sack Venga again.
Why? Cos, 1.Hassenbuttl is shit, really. 2. This way, Gazides would have sacked 3 managas already – and so the next managah wud know that if he doesn’t win ALL the matches, he’d be SACKED, as he should.
If Gazides doesn’t do this, HE must be Sacked. FACT!!!!!
So boring.
So trite.
Brilliant! 🙂
As far as I’m concerned I think we’re already out of the title race and as for Europe I doubt we’ll get through the next round, and although I would like to think that the Board/Kroenke won’t give him a new contract I have a feeling he will still be manager for the foreseeable future in which case we will never win anything until a new manager is installed and by then we will have lost what I consider our best two players in Sanchez/Ozil. I know I’m probably in the minority and no doubt get plenty of stick for… Read more »
Oh please, Arsene, don’t sign the thing. Another three years here would only damage your reputation even further.
His reputation is not damaged. Anyone in the football world would be proud to have his reputation, think about it and tell me I am wrong?
Your view has many supporters. Take heart.
These freaking journos are trying so hard to destabilize this club you would think Arsenal isn’t a club from England.
They know it riles us, and our doubt is so easy to reignite. And it makes supporters of other clubs feel better. and A/ it sells papers.
I was reveling just a week and a half ago at how Mou and Pep were the objects of all of the critical talk and it had taken the heat off of Wenger. It’s really sad and lazy how just one bad week with a lot of time left in the season simply returns people to their biases. Just like that, all the tired cliches are back.
Someone posting a comment about’one bad week’ talks about tired cliches. oh the irony. Pot & kettle Sir.
I know, some people have memories like gold fish, as if we haven’t had “one bad week” 4 or 5 times a season for the last decade.
As most teams do Veruca?
Don’t take it personally, it’s just that most journalists are scumbags who provide the kind of content they know gets other scumbags excited.
Naughty! Hehehe…
I don’t understand. He puts himself in a corner by doing this. If Arsenal has a poor year he will have no choice but to quit. Now he’s a smart guy and he knows that. So why would he follow that route? I just don’t get it.
Maybe he’s not as smart as you think he is.
It’s because he is Arsene Wenger and not afraid of losing his job. If it goes badly he will sack himself I am sure of it.
wengers transformed this club and secured it’s future for many years he lives and breathes AFC DNA his achievements are beyond belief on the shoe string budget he had to deal with and still be competitive I hope he stays and gets the just deserts of what he has sown he reeps
No one can dispute that. Arsenal FC is not about one person. He has done wonderfully for us but I believe the time has come for him to take a bow. A story of Arsenal is not complete without any mention of AW. Guys, lets forget about all these sentiments, the most important thing is that Arsenal has to move forward. Arsenal FC is not like a country in Africa where you have a seat tight President, who has been ruling the country for more than 35years. No one is an island.
I hope AW is still going to be AWesome at Arsenal for many years to come! You cannot by love, loyalty or integrity.??????????????????
Good season or not. Thanks for the memories. It’s time to say goodbye.
We need a manager who remonstrates with players from the touchline. And kicks every ball.
The only action we get from Wenger is him fighting with the zipper on his coat and the fourth officials.
He makes substitutions too late in games.
He fears changing formation based on opponents and mid game.
He takes too long to give in form fringe players a run in the side.
I love what he’s done for us. But we need fresh ideas now.
maybe BERGKAMP when professor retires……..what say gooners?
We need a manager who can attend away fixtures, too.
I like Bergkamp. Maybe we could drug him for flights to the continent?
Perhaps it depends on trophies. As was the case previously, the FA cup. This year perhaps he will decide to stay if he wins a trophy. If that’s the case, the players better get their act together and win us something! Have u ever thought that perhaps some of the high class players in our team decided to join arsenal because of Wenger
The real question is which obscure past gunner will be wishing us a merry christmas on the blog site this year.
My money is on Andy Linighan
I’m dreaming of a (Richard) Wright Christmas
Jingle bell Coq
It is possible to love Arsene, respect him and appreciate all he’s done and think it’s time for a change. That’s where I find myself.
We’ve been stale for 18 months. We make the same mistakes even when the players change.
Bring me Diego Simeone.
Two years ago I might have agreed we’d been stale. I just can’t buy into that argument these days. We’ve added true quality, we’ve made tactical and lineup changes, and we’ve played some excellent matches and beaten top PL teams in the last two years. It’s just not the same. The other top teams are also upping their game and spending mad money, and the rest of the table keeps getting more difficult. The league keeps progressing while this club is, so it is a harder target now. And last season and this we have definitely progressed. Shit, even the… Read more »
Wait…. optimism?
No room for that here I’m afraid. It is now time to call people shit relentlessly till we win and the keyboard brigade go to hide under their rock for another few months.
I respect Arsene, I love him in fact. I just think he’s taken the club as far as he can. He’s been brilliant, our best ever maanger, he’s a genius. I just think we need some fresh ideas and a new approach.
Every year we have the same failings and the repeat the same patterns I think in the end I just want to see what happens with a new manager.
it’s be nice to be annoyed at someone else if we’re not doing well.
Wenger doesn’t deserve and shouldn’t have to see disgruntled fans slowly but surely erode his significance. I’m all for him getting us some silverware and taking up the throne at PSG at the end of the season. No point soaking up this hate anymore… BTW Simeone would be the most unnatural heir to Wenger. A lot of us (namely me, my cat Nacho and my Bergkamp Coffee Mug) aren’t just about success. There is an ethos, style and value-system here that is unique. Cholo suits a perpetual underdog Atletico but I’d hate my team to keep giving the ball away… Read more »
If it’s not about winning, then what the hell is it about?
Everyone always talks about the ‘Arsenal way’ of playing, but 9 times out of 10, we are boring to watch. At least Simeone gets the results also. He is tailor made for this club – limited budget, not the favourite to win the title, very good players who need a tough mentality to be instilled – he is the perfect fit.
I can’t debate with fans who support teams basis how successful they are. To each his own. If you find Atletico more exciting than Arsenal then let’s just saw we differ on what good football is. As for a tougher mentality I’m with you 100%, just not sold on any theory that says Wenger is incapable or averse to instilling it.
It may be unpopular but I completely agree with you. I wouldn’t sacrifice a trophy for playing negative unattractive football. At the end of the day football is a source of entertainment. As much as people say our football isn’t entertaining as it used to be the thought of having to watch Altetico style football week in week out is not something I would want
You are the type of fan that is ruining football.
Simeone an unnatural heir why? Because Wenger’s idealogies for the club are working so great and we need someone to simply continue like these frustrating 14 years? Simeone to me is the wake up punch this sleeping beauty of a club needs. Not another Wenger.
Arsene will be the only person who decides his future, if he wants to stay then he will, the club will never sack him or not renew his contract. If he decides not to renew then the club will go for a yes man, someone that his just happy to be at at huge club like arsenal and be given the chance, They will not go for someone that demands success from the club or a proven winner. The board will want to retain the status quo as much as possible in terms of profit comes before trophies. A Simeone… Read more »
Ideally he would plan his exit ahead and say so in the summer that this will be my last season so you have a year to find my replacement.
Its harder for the club to find replacements to commit to a just incase maybe scenario when they have their own obligations and contracts to consider. Their current employer need to be onboard aswell.
Unless you find someone unemployed ofcourse.
Ahem. Did anyone say unemployed.
I’m unemployed
Every year I say we wont win the league under this mans supervision ever again (maybe Kroenkes as well) and every year people tell me I’m not a “real fan”. Man I wish I too could fool myself and have tiniest hope for my club. Before facing reality at the end of each season.
As on every monarchy, I suppose, Prince Wenger junior is preparing his arrive when the king Arsene abdicate or the good lord call him to his side
The time is ripe for new and fresh coaching staff (and management) at the club. All reigns come to an end. Accept the inevitability of change, and just get on with it.
I’m not English nor from London, I have no local or historical or regional ties to Arsenal, the only reason I love Arsenal is because of the style of play and the values and principles of Wenger, and I admire the fact that he sticks to his guns. So personally I will always hope he continues and there is nothing I would like to see more than him winning PL and CL trophies. I’m patient (yes, even more than 12 years). Him and Pep are “kindred managers” as was apparent to me when watching Titi Henry interview both of them.… Read more »
Ideally we would wait till closer to 2018 when the world cup is scheduled. There will be plenty of candidates and movement in terms of management as some will inevitably fall casualty to National Associations and end of ‘tenure’. That would give us one year to also transition and ‘scour’ for the right replacement (I would think Wenger will have a very strong voice as to who will carry the club after him) Wenger for his part has spent the last 5 seasons putting the pieces together for that eventuality. He has rebuilt the team painstakingly with experience in all… Read more »
Diego Simeone reduced his contract by half for a reason. Hopefully he succeeds him.
He’s going to Inter Milan
I’m all for a renewal until mikel arteta is ready to replace Wenger. Hopefully the bfg can join the coaching staff as well.
Honestly, the Boss has done extremely well but I will expect him to go if we fail to win the league this season
Something very wrong with people who try to involve themselves with things that does not concerns them, how do you like if we discuss your job, being a fan does not give you the right , off coz it’s about money, if not there is no need, it’s just like a supermarket, you think they got arsenal for charity. Let’s be careful at the demage we do to other people careers, e.g. players,you really think these players at Arsenal would stay if Wenger goes?
Succession planning is an important issue. There’s no-one available at the moment that I would prefer over Arsene but the change has to be made sometime. Given his dedication to the club I wounder if he might consider a managerial role with someone like Howe (insert your favourite promising youngster here) as coach for a season?
Do u think Wenger can maintain of winning the EPL anymore?I personally don’t think so.And it doesn’t mean if Wenger live Arsenal today we would get sober manager,the shit has to go i can’t just imagine 20 years only 3 EPL that guy should give way.And he’s still proving Mourinho right that he’s a specialist in failure,Wenger is not the only manager in the world there are other intelligent managers,so we just gonna look out for one and replace him.
Quoting a jibe from Jose???? A great, deep, from-the-pit-of-my-stomach boo to you, sir. I curse the day you decided to support Arsenal.
True, Wenger is not certainly in the same league as the great Fergie, who could win at least a Carling Cup or an FA Cup during a year when he was rebuilding a new team. Sad, to say that some of the Premierships Fergie won were actually gifted by Arsene’s failure to sustain a lead at the top of the league (lack of a killer instinct: 1999 lost the league by a point when only a win in the last two games would have made; 2003 (man won after arsenal squandered a 7 point lead with five games to go);… Read more »
Chelsea are leading by 9 points. Its decemeber. Just saying
I know i know happy christmas to team and fans
I will renew my contract if we improve on last season. That means further in the CL or the PL.
I agree, he will not need to be sacked.
Whatever, I just want to watch the next match anyway!