Arsenal: Arsene Wenger the contract crisis cause in more ways than one

Arsenal are, predictably, in the midst of another contract crisis. Arsene Wenger is the cause, but could he be having an impact in more ways than the just the obvious.

Arsenal, at least in more recent seasons, have always been toiling through the midst of a contract crisis. Samir Nasri. Robin van Persie. Gael Clichy and Bacary Sagna. They all departed within a couple of years of each other because of their refusal to agree to an extension. And then, just last summer, Wojciech Szczesny, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, and, six months later, Alexis Sanchez, all followed suit.

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Arsene Wenger, for motivational reasons, has often extolled the virtues of having players on short contracts. While his argument does have some merit, it comes at the extent of a secure and stable future. Whether it’s worth it or not is somewhat debateable.

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Wenger, then, is clearly responsible for the contract issues that this club has. He likes it that way and thereby manages his squad under such principles. But is there another, more subtle way in which the Arsenal manager contributes to the undermining contract problems that ripple through the squad? Well, I think there might be.

Here is Petr Cech, speaking on BBC television on Sunday afternoon, regarding the speculation of the manager and the effect that it has on the dressing room and the atmosphere at the club:

"“Obviously all this speculation about the coach in, coach out and what’s going to happen next. Once you as a player start thinking too much about it obviously it can affect your performance and that is not going to help you. So I try to avoid all these things but as I say everybody is different and some people might think too much about it.”"

Cech is clearly experienced enough to blank out the circling rumours that are nothing more conjecture and unfounded reports. But the way in which he speaks suggests that perhaps some others in the squad are not so wise and blinkered. There are some who are affected by Wenger and his uncertain future.

And, reading between the lines of some of the recent developments, that is not particularly hard to see. Take Jack Wilshere, for instance. The player wants to stay. Wenger wants the player to stay. The price is a seeming hurdle, but it should be something that can be overcome. So what is the hold-up? Well, it could be that Wilshere is waiting to see if Wenger will be Arsenal manager beyond the end of the season, making his decision on his own future based on that outcome.

The same argument could be made for a player like Aaron Ramsey and even youngster Reiss Nelson, both of which have just over a year remaining on their current contracts. For some, it may be that they would be more inclined to stay if Wenger departed; for others, it may be a role-reversal.

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Whatever it may be, it seems as though players want an element of certainty regarding the long-term managerial future the club. For as long as they do not have it, the contract crisis will continue, and that is not a good thing whatsoever.