Arsenal: Arsene Wenger Still Has His Finger On The Pulse

Arsene Wenger has stated that he will consider the fans’ opinion when he makes a decision on his future, showing that he still has his finger on the pulse.

If you were to read Arsenal’s recent results in the context of their early success under Arsene Wenger, you would, rightly, it must be said, think that the old man has lost his touch; that he has taken his finger off of the pulse somewhat.

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The 5-1 loss to Bayern Munich on Tuesday night, matching the same embarrassment of the same scoreline in the first leg of the last 16 tie, was simply the latest loss in which Wenger’s players showed little semblance of effort, fight or desire.

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As such, Wenger has faced vicious questioning regarding his future at the club beyond the expiration of his current contract, which is this summer. In the pre-match press conference before the FA Cup quarter-final with Lincoln City on Thursday morning, when asked about whether he will factor in the feelings of the fanbase when making his decision, Wenger stated that, while it will not be the most important factor, it will certainly play a part in his thinking:

"“Of course you consider everything. It won’t be the most important factor, but I will consider it of course. I work very hard for 25 years to make the fans happy. I understand they are not when we lose. I don’t work for my image. I work for the club with full commitment. How will I be judged? It’s not too much my problem. I think I have shown since I am here that I love this club, that I’m loyal to this club and I make the right decisions for this club, and I will continue to do that, in respecting the values that are vital to me.”"

Wenger certainly has no obligation to take any notice of what the fans think. Ultimately, while they have the right to their opinion and their right to express it, the decision of whether Wenger remains the Arsenal manager of the future is between him and the club. And that’s it. No one else does, or should, have a say.

So for Wenger to admit that he will consider the atmosphere around the club is an admirable statement to make. It shows that, unlike what many will have you believe, he is not some dictating tyrant who must have acute control of every aspect of the club, scared to ever relinquish his power, threatened by the notion that he is not the be all and end all of Arsenal football club.

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Wenger actually has his finger on the pulse. While the results may suggest otherwise, as do many of his most insubordinate critics, Wenger is still aware of the social standing that he and the club has, and he will make a decision regarding his future with full awareness of the ramifications, both wide and narrow, of whatever choice he makes.