Arsenal: Arsene Wenger throwdown of stars hints at change

Arsene Wenger dismissed the effect of lacking Champions League football in trying to re-sign Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil in brutal fashion, hinting that change could be in the waters at Arsenal.

There are a few defining factors that will come to shape Arsenal’s summer. The first, and most significant one, is the re-signing of Arsene Wenger to a new two-year deal. The second is the lack of Champions League football for the first time in Wenger’s reign. And the third and final factor is the demand for change from the increasingly aggravated fans.

Related Story: 3 reasons Kylian Mbappe should choose Arsenal over Real Madrid

It is these overarching issues and decisions that will trickle through the club as further choices, in terms of player recruitment, player retention and the very structure of the club itself, are made over the coming months.

More from Pain in the Arsenal

• 3 observations from Arsenal’s victory at Goodison Park
• 3 standout players from 1-0 victory over Everton
• 3 positives & negatives from Goodison Park victory
• Arsenal vs PSV preview: Prediction, team news & lineups
• 3 talking points from Arsenal’s victory at Goodison Park

One of the key decisions that must be made is what to do with Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil. The two have just a year remaining on their current contracts and both have been heavily linked with a move away from North London because of the lack of Champions League. Wenger, though, in an honest and candid interview with BEIN Sports, stated that he does not see that as a stumbling block because the duo were a part of the struggles in the first place:

"“I don’t think it will have a big impact because firstly they were part of not getting in there. Secondly, they love the club, they integrate well the values of the club and live the football we play. Anyway, they are under contract for another season. This summer, first of all, they will stay at the club and hopefully we can extend their contracts. We cannot weaken the club or the team unless we can find someone of the same.”"

That brutal throwdown, while true but not necessarily accurate – they were a part of Arsenal’s failings to secure a Champions League place, but missing out will still impact contract discussions nonetheless -, reveals to me that Wenger is being impacted by the shouts for change from the fans.

While the change that most had in mind was the replacement of Wenger himself, I believe that there are still large sections of the fan base that would happily see Wenger remain as manager as long as he proved his ambition in this summer’s transfer window. Such defiance and resolve showed here suggest that Wenger may just be willing to change his ways a little. No longer will he be hesitant, waiting for events to take place and taking a reactive, rather than proactive, stance. Instead, he is set to be forthright, upfront and direct.

Next: Arsenal: 3 players impacted by potential Kylian Mbappe signing

Whether Wenger will see it through or not remains to be seen. Only the state of the squad in August will be able to tell us that much. But the initial signs of change are there. Let’s hope he can now deliver what we are all desperate for: ambition.