Arsenal: Animosity gives way for apathy, and that is far more dangerous

Arsenals fans’ hostility is gone. The resentment has lessened. The anger has dwindled. Animosity has subsided for apathy, a much more dangerous feeling.

The ridiculous stats speak for themselves. Watching Arsenal play has no longer become a fun thing to do. There’s an abundance of issues circulating around the club that won’t seem to go away. Fan’s, in their outspoken ways, often ridicule the manager and the players. But, more recently, that has stopped. The hostility is gone. The resentment has lessened. The anger has dwindled. Animosity has subsided for apathy, a much more dangerous feeling.

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Jaime Carragher couldn’t have said it any better: Fans have given up.

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Words like ‘resignation’ and ‘dejection’ re floating around constantly; where last year, Gooners were livid and slightly aggressive, this year that same insatiable passion has gone. Fans have zero faith in the board or the manager. And rightfully so. When teams like Liverpool, Manchester United and even Spurs flourish, it hurts. Arsenal are on a path opposite way of the rest of the big six. If something isn’t changed, and sooner rather than later, the other teams will be so far ahead of us, there’ll be just a faint line in the distance.

Much of the blame can certainly be placed on Arsene Wenger. This man, who has been labelled as a dictator, perhaps a little harshly, although with an element of truth, is, per the likes of DT, holding the club to ransom. Wenger has continually said that he’s turned down an abundance of offers to remain in North London. But when were those offers? And, more importantly, where are they now?

Wenger knows that if and when he does leave, there most likely will not be anything else for him. Sadly, with all of the history, Wenger has brought Arsenal to their knees; his image is being tarnished by his stubbornness and arrogance.

His misguided, distracted, unclear management is translating to the players. It’s clear to see: The players are not playing for the manager. Supposedly an alleged meeting amongst the team happened last week, with Laurent Koscielny allegedly breaking down in tears during it. It’s fair to ask what proportion of the dressing room still believes in and supports Wenger, and whether there is a split between the two sides of the argument.

Because, on matchdays, it certainly looks as though those within the white lines are not so enamoured with the crestfallen, forlorn figure clambered in a heap on the sides of them. It could well be the case that neither fans nor the players are supporting Wenger. Perhaps the board is the final domino to fall.

Next: Arsenal: Mid-Season player rankings

Until that time, though, dejection runs through the veins of the club. Arsenal, under Wenger, are diseased to a point of no return.