Arsenal And Arsene Wenger: Patience Is A Virtue

Arsene Wenger’s future has been cast into doubt after Arsenal’s 5-1 loss to Bayern Munich. For both him and the club, patience is a virtue they must find.

The 5-1 loss to Bayern Munich has brought about some rather substantial conclusions regarding the future of Arsenal football club. The state of Alexis Sanchez’s frustration as time winded down – and his subsequent departure to Spain – have seen many come to question his commitment to the club beyond the end of the year. Mesut Ozil’s non-existent efforts have also brought him into the limelight of scrutiny.

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However, perhaps the most significant discussion raised from the dismantling at the hands of the genius Germans centres on Arsene Wenger. The now 21-year reigning manager has been heavily criticised in light of the loss – as he has been for the almost the past decade – and if his press conference afterwards, there was an air of resignation and dejection that is rarely detected.

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Since then, Wenger has had his say on his and the club’s future, a particularly poignant point given that his contract expires at the end of the season. Claiming that he is still wanting to manage somewhere next year, Wenger revealed that decisions are yet to be made over his future in North London:

"“No matter what happens, I will manage next season, whether it’s here or somewhere else, I am not sure. If I said March or April it is because I don’t know. My personal situation is not important, it’s Arsenal Football Club and the future of our team and what we can achieve until the end of the season that is important. That is an eternal debate when you are somewhere for a long time and you have a big disappointment.”"

Earlier in the week, reports stated that it would not be until the season closes that a final decision will be made. While that may or may not be true, there is a prevailing principle that both the club and Wenger must abide by if an intelligent, insightful and instructive decision is to be made. Patience.

Whether Wenger decides to sign the new deal that is on the table or leave the confounds of the Emirates for another club, as his most recent comments suggest he may do if Arsenal no longer see him as their manager, the choice will have massive ramifications that will ripple for years and years in the future for both parties.

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Ultimately, although many, myself included, are yearning for clarity and decisiveness, what is more crucial is that the correct decision is made, not the quickest one. It is too important to get it wrong. Patience, they say, is a virtue. It is one that both Arsenal and Wenger must find.