Arsenal: Major Internal Rifts Can Be Arsene Wenger’s ‘Catalyst For Change’

Arsenal need change and Arsene Wenger is supposed to be the catalyst for that change. He need look no further for inspiration than the rifts within the club.

Arsenal CEO Ivan Gazidis now-famously called out Arsene Wenger and told the world that the manager needed to become a ‘catalyst for change.‘ Which is a bit nervy, as Wenger is not a fan of change.

However, it didn’t just stop there. Throughout this entire “fighting for fourth place” prospect, more and more rifts have begun developing within the higher-ups at the club. The relationship between Gazidis and Wenger has continued to sour and now Wenger is reportedly frustrated at the board for their lack of support.

To add to this, the board supposedly wants to add a Sporting Director (early candidates include Marc Overmars) to oversee transfers and ensure that the club is getting what they want and need.

Naturally, this salts Wenger’s undies a bit, because it takes power away from him and this has become Wenger’s family fun house over the past several years.

All of these rifts may seem a bit dicey, but Arsene Wenger could use these developments as fuel to become that catalyst for change that he needs to be. The simple fact of the matter is that Wenger, along with so many of his players, never felt any threat to their position. None whatsoever.

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The threat of a Sporting Director, which the club should have anyway, as well as a souring relationship with the braintrust that has invested everything into Wenger – that has to be a bit shaky, even on Wenger’s end. He needs to recoup and deliver on some promises if he wants to see this club back to success before he retires/moves on.

The best way to inspire is to install a threat to one’s position and these rifts do that. It’s nice to see the lackadaisical higher-ups at Arsenal jaunted, even if it is only a bit. I like that various members aren’t getting along and are getting annoyed and frustrated with other members. It shows that everything is not okay.

The fans have obviously known this for quite some time, but now it’s starting to look like the board, the CEO and even Wenger know it too. Otherwise why would they all be shifting uneasily, trying to make things happen?

Wenger lined up Sead Kolasinac already.

Gazidies called for Wenger to be a catalyst for change.

The board looked to install a Sporting Director.

Next: Arsenal's Potential Starting XI Under Diego Simeone

Three major steps towards making a difference and righting the ship. If that isn’t proof that change is coming – hopefully big changes – then I don’t know what is.