(Newswire.net — April 4, 2017) — Arsenal Football Club (AFC) have been under scrutiny for the past few months, particularly their manager, Arsene Wenger, who has been at the club since 1996, making him the club’s longest-serving and most successful manager.
There have been many reports that he may leave the club in the summer, but the French manager has not yet given his final decision, as his contract expires at the end of the season. The television pundits, as well as ex players and fans have been very critical of the club’s transfer policy, but it seems that Arsenal’s board is satisfied, as long as, the club gets to play the Champions League every season. Perhaps the ambition of the club is not on the level required to attract the worlds’ best players.
However, as big as Arsenal is as a soccer club, it should really be competing for major titles season after season, rather than being satisfied with qualification for the main European club competition. Having said that, Arsenal had an incredible consistency in securing the top for finish in the Premier League, and therefore qualifying for the Champions League for the last 20 years.
It seems that this season the club is in real trouble for the first time after such a long period, and the team may really struggle to finish in the top four. Many fans have expressed their unrest and anger, particularly those involved and in charge of Arsenal Fan TV. They have been protesting for weeks, asking for Arsene Wenger’s resignation and questioning the decisions of the board, as they are unhappy with the results and team selections. Some have even been pulling out banners such as “Enough is enough, time to go”, Metro UK reports.
The legendary ex Manchester United and England defender, Gary Neville, branded one fan in particular as an “idiot” on Twitter for pulling out such a banner and abusing a manager who has been so consistent and successful at Arsenal. After an online debate between some fans and Neville, he had bravely invited them to have an open debate and discuss all matters around Arsenal Football Club, which can be seen on YouTube.
All in all, the future of the manager and the club remains unclear, until Wenger himself decides to come forward with his decision. Arsenal’s board seem to have given the manager full trust in letting him decide what he wants to do, rather than taking matters in their own hands.
The question of extending his contract remains unanswered. Either way, whether he chooses to stay or go, there will be plenty of controversy around the club for a few more months without a doubt.