A few days ago, Mark Lawrenson argued that Arsene Wenger would probably 'fall on his sword' at the end of the season, especially if he failed to guide Arsenal into next season's Champions League. Liverpool legend Alan Hansen agrees with his former defensive partner, and believes the next 8-10 weeks could be the defining period of Wenger's reign.
Like their London neighbours, Arsenal have been extremely inconsistent this season, and over the last few weeks, they've dropped down to seventh in the premier league table.
With only two wins in the last 8 league games, the heat is most definitely on, and Hansen warns that there could be 'serious consequences' if Arsenal's poor form continues. He told The Telegraph:
"Arsène Wenger remains under incredible pressure, and the next eight to 10 weeks are critical to his future. If Arsenal do not finish in the top four for the first time since Wenger became manager, it will have serious consequences for the strength of the squad.
"Four or five years could pass before they return to the elite; attracting players will become more difficult, and stars such as Robin van Persie will inevitably consider their future.
"Wenger is one of those few managers at the top of the game to have earned unconditional support from his club. He is entitled to expect the same levels of trust to remain, but this is 2012 and football has changed.
"Supporters will give their manager leeway, especially one who has achieved so much, but such backing is not timeless. If they cannot see their expectations being met in the future, they can be quick to forget the glories of the past. It is all about the here and the now".
If things are as bad as this for Arsenal, what does that mean for Kenny Dalglish? Everything Hansen says could surely also apply to Liverpool. If the club doesn't finish in the top four this season:
* It could also have 'serious consequences' for the strength of Kenny's squad.
* It could also be 'four or five years' before Liverpool 'return to the elite'
* Attracting players could also become difficult.
Kenny is also one of the 'few managers at the top of the game to have earned unconditional support from his club, but as he says, this is 2012, and 'football has changed'.
Hansen's comments about Arsenal are inadvertently allegorical, and the consequences he outlines are precisely the reason why finishing 4th this season has to be the priority.
Jaimie Kanwar
Like their London neighbours, Arsenal have been extremely inconsistent this season, and over the last few weeks, they've dropped down to seventh in the premier league table.
With only two wins in the last 8 league games, the heat is most definitely on, and Hansen warns that there could be 'serious consequences' if Arsenal's poor form continues. He told The Telegraph:
"Arsène Wenger remains under incredible pressure, and the next eight to 10 weeks are critical to his future. If Arsenal do not finish in the top four for the first time since Wenger became manager, it will have serious consequences for the strength of the squad.
"Four or five years could pass before they return to the elite; attracting players will become more difficult, and stars such as Robin van Persie will inevitably consider their future.
"Wenger is one of those few managers at the top of the game to have earned unconditional support from his club. He is entitled to expect the same levels of trust to remain, but this is 2012 and football has changed.
"Supporters will give their manager leeway, especially one who has achieved so much, but such backing is not timeless. If they cannot see their expectations being met in the future, they can be quick to forget the glories of the past. It is all about the here and the now".
If things are as bad as this for Arsenal, what does that mean for Kenny Dalglish? Everything Hansen says could surely also apply to Liverpool. If the club doesn't finish in the top four this season:
* It could also have 'serious consequences' for the strength of Kenny's squad.
* It could also be 'four or five years' before Liverpool 'return to the elite'
* Attracting players could also become difficult.
Kenny is also one of the 'few managers at the top of the game to have earned unconditional support from his club, but as he says, this is 2012, and 'football has changed'.
Hansen's comments about Arsenal are inadvertently allegorical, and the consequences he outlines are precisely the reason why finishing 4th this season has to be the priority.
Jaimie Kanwar
He's not talking about liverpool, Liverpool dropped out of the CL places two years ago and he's right it takes along time to get back to that level. Liverpool are still building a strong squad and are in one final and on the way to another. For Liverpool this is a season of building. Last season we were 7th so an improvement on that plus a trophey will outline a decent season. Getting back into the champions league and winning a trophy would be like winning the league for Liverpool fans. But arsenal are already in the champions league. Instead of defending there spot the should finally be pushing for the title. But is gone backwards. That's what Hansen means. For wenger this will be his first time withouth CL qualification. He's in a completely different boat from Kenny. Under a completely different type of pressure. To compare the two is just a swipe at Liverpool to try and detract from the real issue which is arsenal are crumbling.
ReplyDeleteGod, get a grip. it is not a swipe at Liverpool at all! I'm so sick of 'fans' like you reading into things that aren't there. We have different opinions; deal with it.
ReplyDeleteHi Jaimie, I'd have to disagree. The reason why is because we've not been in the Champions league for a few seasons now and I don't think we can class ourselves as being 'elite'. Kenny has had 12 months in the job, Arsene Wenger has had 16 years an played in the Champions League 15 years on the bounce. Arsenal are certainly not improving, and their starting to look a bit stale, whereas we look like having a better season then last year and have certainly shown signs of improvement from last year (on the whole) and the year before. Sometimes you can be a victim of your own success. Arsene has undoubtedly done very well but he doesn't look like repeating former glories.
ReplyDeleteThe Arsenal fans who want Wenger out, regardless of how they finish the season, should be shot! They must be imbecilic to fail to appreciate that their club isn't the only one with a squad capable of beating anyone on a given day, and hence being able to rack up points. Unlike the well playing clubs in Manchester, they were always going to lose key players every now and then and Wenger has done a brilliant job of keeping them in contention for a 4th spot. If their fans believe changing managers frequently like the London based Russion club will bring them better results, they need a serious re-education that any manager will need time to move a club forward. Bring in a new manager and they will have to take a backwards step for at least a year or 2 before they can even get back to where they are now!
ReplyDeleteIf what happened after Rafa and Ancelotti were fired is anything to go by, they have to see that change will always mean at least a season of regression, and I believe regression is not what Arsenal wants right now. Fans like that who expect instant or regular success without considering the fortunes of the other clubs may as well go support the team at the bridge, and if they're loud enough, maybe Abramovich would go buy their heroes from their once-favourite clubs.
Aren't we glad our fellow reds are more insightful and intelligent than that!
with arsenal it is wenger who has created this fall from gracem he is directly responsibyl for arsenals lack of winning anything in the last 7 years. It would be totally unfair for kk to recieve the same sort of criticism.
ReplyDeleteThe problem with things today is supporters expect there club to buy success. Wenger is the only manager in the prem to achieve success with out spending a fortune in the process. That makes him a better manager than mourinio, old red nose, mancini and hidink. So unless the arsenal board are willing to spend big money. if wenger leaves arsenal will end up mid table.
ReplyDeleteArsenes a cheeky bugger, he said things could be worse for Arsenal fans, they could support Liverpool lol
ReplyDeleteYou make me laugh jaimie. You constantly bang on about kenny and liverpool's supposed 'victim complex' and how you perceive them to fabricate persecution from the press yet every single time someone disagrees with you, you react in the same way. 'well aren't I allowed an opinion' the insinuation that every one is having a go at you an you're this lone voice fighting against the 'group think' mentality! It's you who should get a grip, the previous poster made a valid point that Hansen in not talking about Liverpool and that it is in fact you who has read far too much into hansens comments
ReplyDeleteHow many Eurpean Cup's do Arsenal have again??????, oh yes that be zero then!!!!!. Clutching at straws Wenger!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteThe biggest problem for the premier league the last few seasons is the two clubs with more money than makes sense, (they don't need me to advertise their names) but their money has attracted all the best players, whether they actually get time on the pitch or not it has destabilised the rest of the league. Teams who were building squads are suddenly denuded of their best players, they have money to buy but have nobody available to replace them with add to this the new rules on finance and home grown players. Hopefully when the rules take effect there should be a realignment, but it will take time and some clubs will suffer. Here's a wager Gareth Bale will move to either a Spanish club, Chelsea or City in the Summer
ReplyDeleteHear hear!
ReplyDeleteI rarely visit this site but each time i have i get a severe case of deja vu. jaimie k arguing with someone who has made a comment he doesnt agree with. I can understand your sensitivity but why bother blogging in the first place if it gets you so upset? It might be time to hang up your boots and get yourself a nice cup of herbal tea to soothe your nerves.
ReplyDeleteJaimie Kanwar will always get it wrong. It is that idiot Benitez who nearly destroyed Liverpool. He left a disaster behind him.
ReplyDeleteWe'll be so much better without his "great" players. I can hardly wait to see Pepe leave and us having a proper goalkeeper.We bought for years only workers. They belong on building sites. We need more skills, pride and will to win every game.
Go Kenny !!!! YNWA
George from Romania
have a word with yourself,nobody can afford him, if ronaldo was worth 80mil, try starting at 150 mil,if the new finance rules apply then nobody will be able to buy him.
ReplyDeleteboth of you are right, but jamie, your only right to a certain extent. and your reply, if you are (what people term as a journalist these days) a journalist is childish and pathetic. Liverpool have been going through very dark days since hicks and gillete turned on each other and are struggling to find their way back. we've had the very high profile departures of torres, mascherano, alonso and mereilles. Now arsenal are going through a similar dark period, not the same, but similar and the effect our situation has already had on the standard of players we can attract is clearly evident. In lehmans terms, your point is moot, as its already happened to us and hopefully we're on the rise wheras arsenal are clearly on the decline.
ReplyDeletejaimie i have read a few of your articles and have formed the opinion that you are either a manc or a bluenose. feel free to argue my opinion.
ReplyDeleteu have a word lad, if u seriously think Bale is better than Ronaldo, you are a fool. And i cant stand the big headed T***.
ReplyDeleteSpot on, JK can be unbelivable at times, back tracking quicker than a canoeist approaching Niagra Falls. Liverpool didnt need mentioning at all. The fact that he has mentioned then means that he himself opens the door inviting comment. And for most that comment is disagreeing strongly with JK's views. Kenny is on a rebuilding mission, questions may be needed in the future but arent right now. Our divine right to a top 4 spot is gone, and has been for a couple of years now and we need to earn any kind of right again. That will possibly take a time, more than just a year or two, but to even question the work going on barely 12 months after his return is mindless and crass. Mind you, how is it that Im actually not too surprised at the media, both friend and foe, taking cheap potshots at the club, players, management and supporters? Media of all forms have shown themselves to be mindless hacks in the main in recent years, seemingly without exception.
ReplyDeleteWho cares about theGunners? We have enough problems on our shoulders.
ReplyDeleteMate with all due respect to Hansen, he just rambles and (kinda like Shaka Hislop) speaks with the kind of conviction to make people think he's on the money.
ReplyDeleteIF the Gooners had new owners and they finish outside the top four then I would be worried for Wenger, but their current owners are aware that last season Walcott was on fire as was Wilshere, Fabregas, Nasri and Clichy - and their replacements all have been injured, Arteta, Gervinho, Santos ... as for KD I'd say our owners experience with the Red Sox means they're not expecting miracles since half our first team were just brought in.. plus our best three players from last season have been out of action or just out... Lucas, Gerrard, Mereiles...
Bale is excellent but he aint no Ronaldo... If players like Hazard, Neymar, Cavani are going for 40ish then Bale would have to be 30mil at the most. It's a matter of opinion I guess, but if we could take one player from Spurs it would be Modric.
ReplyDeleteGuys, guys... I disagree with a lot of the stuff printed by JK but you're criticism is waaaaay harsh... check over his articles for IMO - This means In My Opinion... and regardless of that, it's pretty obvious that his articles are not to be taken for Gospel, but more to encourage feedback and opinion
ReplyDeleteyeah actually I think 'stale' is a good word to describe Wenger at Arsenal - maybe he is better working with and motivating younger players. I wouldn't chose to ditch King Kenny but with our current crop of youth players can you imagine what Wenger could do with them! Can't remember last time I saw Arsenal struggle like this... can't remember the last time Wenger bought a bunch of players over the age of 22...
ReplyDeleteplease explain..?
ReplyDeleteIf it wasn't for Wenger you wouldn't have got Wallcott or Chamberlain and you would have lost Fabregas years ago. If they sack Wenger I bet Van Persie will be goneski too. Anyway if it turns out that he goes it would be one less team fighting for CL position for at least a year or two