The Original Emmanuel Featuring Bob, Cesc And Kolo

Just in case Arsene was short of advice, un petit plus came his way as the original Emmanuel flicked his tousled locks in the direction of the sinking broadcaster, Setanta, and offered some wise words. No, not “I’ve come to fix the fridge“, but:

Arsene is extremely intelligent, he is a visionary. I am not saying that he should change his ways, but if he made slight changes and managed to find a compromise between youth and experience, like Manchester and every dominant team in Europe do, he would find the right mix. But it means spending more money.

Insightful stuff and with football management being so simple and easy, it is hard to understand why more former professionals do not take the plunge into the job, instead of choosing the extremely challenging environment of the pundit’s sofa. I have yet to read anything in the papers or see anyone on TV that actually addresses the reasons for the club’s current predicament on the pitch. Everyone just wants the club to follow the Viv Nicholson route and Spend, Spend, Spend without actually coming up with the necessary funding analysis that goes with it. Still, that would mean that people would have to think for themselves, an abhorrance from which many former players would never recover.

There will no doubt be a plethora of stories this summer about who is joining or which Centre Back or Defensive Midfielder Arsene should sign. With United threatening to streak away from everyone in the money race, signing Pavel Progrebynak would not be the worst move, raising the cost of a replica shirt from £40 to £100 with a full name on the back.

Curiously enough, the perceived wisdom of signing players is no longer emerging from within. Robin van Persie believes that retaining the services of the current squad is as important:

The main thing for me is that we stay together. If we lose three or four every year it is hard to get the spirit in. Hopefully we can stay here and have a real go at it

It is a crucial aspect. Last summer was a time of upheavel even though some chose to stay. A repeat of that is not going to be welcome. Perhaps Mr van Persie you would like to be so good as to sign your new contract and help this process along the way?

Kolo Toure meanwhile explained his own traumas from the past twelve months:

I have been here a long time, and when I saw some players leaving the Club last year that was difficult for me. Then when we didn’t start the season well I was scared. You start to think that maybe the Club don’t need you anymore.

When it’s like that and you are 28 you have to think about yourself as well. But I came back, I’m playing at the moment and I hope that will carry on. There is still time on my contract and I hope the Club will show me that they need me.

The insecurities of the profession are rarely spoken of but in drawing attention to his age, I think Toure has provided an insight into the negative aspect of Arsene’s ‘over 30s‘ policy. That Toure’s contract is probably up around the time he hits that age is no coincidence and seeing an ever more youthful set-up around him probably exacerbates those insecurities. Add into that mix the injuries and loss of form that the last African Cup of Nations induced, little wonder that he was not the happiest of bunnies.

However, he is at the peak of his career and it would be a mistake to suggest that he is no longer of any use to the squad. With Gallas being 31 and still susceptible to injury, Toure can always pretty much guarantee himself 20 – 30 games in a season, if not more. He must have been very hurt to have been perceived as the fall guy for the defensive woes at times, especially since Gallas inflicted some of the disharmony through his off-the-field actions. Hopefully, this is all behind Toure and he can continue to perform at the level we all know he is capable of.

Anyway, another yah boo sucks came from Arsene although this looks suspiciously as if it may have been a quote from last week:

We have a team which is 22 years old (on average), why should we look for revolution? That would be stupid and not responsible. I still believe that when you have responsibilities, you have to make decisions and stand up for that. Until now we have not done too badly. I do not think that the team need major investments.

The feisty responses that have come from Wenger suggest that he is running out of patience with the negativity from without. Either that or as he gets older, he becomes more cantankerous, a malaise that afflicts us all. No? Oh, that will just be me then.

Finally an unashamed plug for The Gooner Review which as their website says is, “a FEATURE-LENGTH DOCUMENTARY film made by GOONERS for GOONERS on the 2008 – 2009 season. The film will highlight all the key talking points of the season and will feature ex-players including Bob Wilson, Gooner celebs and the fans who go every week to support their team“.

’til Tomorrow.

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