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The end is nigh for Arsène Wenger

With Chelsea racing into the distance relatively unopposed, Arsène Wenger’s Arsenal looks to be finishing a thirteenth consecutive season without a Premier League title. With Gunners fans becoming increasingly restless and Wenger’s contract expiring at the end of the season, it seems ever more likely that his 21 year reign may come to end this season.

February 15, 2017 10:58
1 min read

Wenger has done more for Arsenal than any manager in history. Not only did he turn Arsenal into a formidable and unbeatable footballing force, he transformed the Premier League into a home for elite athletes and introduced foreign, more sophisticated tactics to English football.

However, despite Wenger’s past brilliance, he cannot keep living off credit. Claudio Ranieri may have received a vote of confidence purely for his heroics last season, however, unlike Ranieri, Wenger’s superstar status wore off a long time ago.

Just like dogs come to look like their owners, Arsenal have become the embodiment of their manager. They are consistently average, lack their past desire for success and live in a constant state of perverted nostalgia.

If Arsenal want to progress, they need to start anew. It will take time to shake off Wenger’s influential grip on the club, but it is necessary. His contributions to the club have been monumental and a new manager would have an immense challenge of developing their own unique philosophy. A delicate balance must be found between a complete revolution and a maintenance of a football philosophy.