The Sports Corner

Bullen’s Banter: Gunners off target?

Arsenal are without question the most entertaining footballing side in the Premier League.

Their style of play and the elegance that they execute is a joy to watch. However only 3 Premier League titles and the last of which coming in 2004 when Arsenal achieved a phenomenal feat by going through the season unbeaten has left people questioning: Is Arsenal ready for another serious challenge?

Despite a fantastic and extremely crucial win against Manchester United, the Gunners have stuttered this season.

Defeats to Hull and Stoke have undermined the side’s chances of a title push this season. Conceding two late goals to arch rivals Tottenham is further evidence that Arsenal have missed out on too many points for a challenge. It seems that Arsenal are just not equipped?

In a squad that has so many fantastic players, the likes of Fabregas, Van Persie and Rosicky is going to mean that Arsenal are always considered contenders for the title but something is missing from their ranks and although I can’t explain it, many teams are exploiting it.

Many pundits and managers have claimed that Arsenal are not strong enough, that they don’t impose themselves on side and that they are physically a weak side. It is a fair point, teams need strength to compete in the division but Arsenal have a quality that can evade this problem, the way they play football.

One of the many legacies that Arsene Wenger will leave at Arsenal is that he installed a great footballing style in his Arsenal teams. It is one of his principles as a manger. This principle is pleasing for Arsenal fans and neutrals and will certainly help Arsenal achieve for honours whatever competiton they are in. But Wenger’s principles can also lead to a negative effect.

When the summer comes, it seems all managers now prepare for a massive summer transfer spree. It seems that out-of-this-world prices are becoming the norm with several players commanding $30+ million fees. One does wonder how much Ronaldo would of gone for had he joined Real Madrid?

Whilst this does lead to exciting times when brilliant footballers come to the country, it is also a sign of disappointment. It seems the art of managment is quickly eroding if bosses have an open chequebook.

Wenger, however, is different.

Now granted Arsene Wenger has spent money, the likes of Jose Antonio Reyes, Robin Van Persie and Emmanuel Adebayor did not come for free yet they are all young. I believe Wenger signs players with the view to mould them into his mentality of what a footballer should be. Players such as Patrick Vieira and Thierry Henry can testify the positive influence that Wenger has had on their careers.

So Arsene spends money like the rest of them, but to categorize him with the likes of Mark Hughes, Sir Alex Ferguson and Jose Mourinho is just wrong. He doesn’t spend nearly as much as they did and that is quite possibly down to him.

Arsene Wenger sides are built around unity, as his teams have impeccable teamwork, and the prospect of a 30 million pound superstar might excite the fans but it would upset the balance. Wenger has not spent over 20 million on one individual player whilst at Arsenal. 

Personally I’d say he is the all time best manager in the Premier League and I would be prepared to argue that to anyone. Sure, Sir Alex has won many titles and enjoyed great success but what is amazing about signing several players for 30 million pounds? The likes of Ferdinand, Hargreaves and Berbatov all cost that much and it just seems that he spends. Granted he needs to make them play, I understand that, but there is no nurturing there.

Ferguson built a fantastic team in the 90’s with the likes of Giggs, Scholes, and Beckham all rising up the youth system surrounded by players of genuine class such as Cantona. He is an amazing manager but Wenger still tops the pile for me because of his philosophy on how football should be played. 

I applaud his abstinence of spending ridiculous amounts of money and for nurturing young stars on the path to stardom. Whilst this may not lead to back-to-back Premier League titles which is essentially the aim of all clubs in the Premier League in a financial sense.

But in a football sense, Arsenal is invincible.