Arsene Wenger Leading By Example At Arsenal

Arsene Wenger brought many changes to Arsenal and to the Premier League in general. From the diets to the scouting to the emphasis, Arsenal’s culture is now firmly embedded in the Frenchman. And vice versa. After 19 years, that is only normal. While the “Wenger Out” army comes and goes, the fact is that Arsene Wenger is undoubtedly going to be at Arsenal until he sees fit. He wants to ensure that his way lives on for the rest of Arsenal’s existence.

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While that is not entirely realistic, it can at least carry on for awhile. The way Arsenal is built is very unique. Wenger is a diligent manager who borders on being a perfectionist. That has its pros and cons. While sometimes he can be stingy and perhaps even overbearing in the transfer market, it is all with the club’s best interests at heart.

What it all boils down to is a fierce loyalty built around faith in each other. Arsenal’s culture has been sewn together by this concept. But it is one thing to preach it. It is another thing to live it. And Arsene Wenger does.

“If, tomorrow morning, I am told, ‘Goodbye and thank you’ by Arsenal, I cannot promise you that I will not look to continue to work, to live my passion. But, without a doubt, not in England. What is for certain is that my attachment to Arsenal will remain until the end of my days. I’ve had moments where I could have broken that [other offers], but I have always refused them. I do not see how, today, I could have a managerial career elsewhere,” Wenger said, as quoted by Goal.com.

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This intense loyalty and faith is a dying trait in sports. No matter the sport, whether it be football, baseball, basketball – athletes will jump back and forth between teams and cities in search of more money and more trophies. Winning it with one team, as a team, takes a back seat to winning as an individual. It’s the whole ‘name on the front vs name on the back’ debate.

Tis a pity.

There was a time when athletes came together and wanted to win and lose as a team. A time when, just because a squad finished in fourth yet again, the players did not jump ship. But that time is passing.

Not so much at Arsenal. Arsene Wenger is managing to do his best to hold that fabric of Arsenal together. It is hard to argue the fact that it’s working. Wenger gives players every single opportunity imaginable. Just like Arsenal gave him every opportunity imaginable. Danny Welbeck, Olivier Giroud, Mesut Ozil, Francis Coquelin, Aaron Ramsey, Jack Wilshere all of these guys would have been sold long ago by different squads. Yet four of those six are vital to the first team and the other two are enigmas.

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Faith really does pay off. And yes, Arsenal can win the title with that faith and dedication. Arsenal is a squad built around the club, not around the individual. It sounds corny and cliched, but these guys really do want to win for each other and for the name on the front of the shirt. That is how long-lasting success is made as opposed to just flashes of brilliance (Chelsea, Manchester City).

There is a reason why Arsenal continue to put themselves in positions to win titles. There is a reason they continue to qualify for the Champions League. It is because of this culture that Arsene Wenger is creating and embodying at the club. Sure, qualifying and contending is not the be-all, end-all of professional football but you have to contend and qualify in order to win.