Arsene Wenger Stays At Arsenal

The longest managerial saga since whether David Brent was going to stay on or not at Werhnam Hogg in the hit BBC Comedy “The Office” has finally come to an end with the news that Arsene Wenger has agreed a new two year deal with Arsenal.

That announcement it means that the 67 year old will extend his 21 year stay with the North London club and finally but to bed the uncertainty that has surrounded the club over the past few months due to the wall of silence that has been built at The Emirates in regards to Wenger’s managerial status.

With a 3rd F.A. Cup win in four seasons secured after defeating Chelsea on Saturday it was almost as if this was the perfect time to announce a new deal. That said it’s obviously news that is not going to placate everyone after the toxic scenes we witnessed this season when fans of the club were arguing with each other inside and out of the ground.

It seems as if Wenger never really had any intention to leave but why he did not announce his intentions earlier in the campaign so to at least create some stability and harmony in the dressing room and with everyone connected with the club. At least with the news being broken it could have got everyone on the same page.

Perhaps it was felt as if it was better to at least hold out until the cup run come to an end as that ultimately was going to define Arsenal’s season. One which must to a certain degree now be considered successful due to the fact that silverware has been delivered.

That will go some way to making up for failing to qualify for the Champions League and being well beaten in the league by their arch rivals Tottenham, but of course they will be able to point to the fact that they have won a trophy and that will stoke the North London fires over the course of the Summer in regards to who had the more successful campaign.

Critics of Wenger throughout this season who have wanted him to depart will not be happy with the news as they will feel that it is a case of more of the same for the next couple of years, although if he was to sign a new deal then a 2 year deal makes more sense than that of a solitary one.

With a 2 year contract it means that Arsenal have enough time to create a smooth transition for whoever Wenger’s successor turns out to be, had been in charge for just a single additional season then it would make the Frenchman something of a lame duck and questions would be asked as to why the extension would be required.

Wenger will still feel that he has something to offer the North London club and will look to build on this late season momentum by starting brightly and ultimately planning a return to the top 4 and the Champions League prize that it offers.

Arsenal fans do need to be realistic as in any other situation why would you advocate so strongly the need to get rid of your most successful manager of all time, it just goes to show the sense of entitlement that seems to get the better of certain elements of their fanbase.

The best thing Arsenal can do is forget all the squabbling and all start signing from the same hymn sheet once again. They’ve managed to lockdown their manager they now need to make sure they can hold on to both Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil. An important piece of business has been done but the work is not finished at The Emirates just yet.