Arsenal: Arsene Wenger image admission humble or halting?

Arsene Wenger has stated that he does not worry about a happy ending at Arsenal, about his image once he retires. Is such a stance a humble attitude or one that is halting his own motivation?

Even if you asked his most vociferous, vehement detractors, you would be hard-pressed to find someone who didn’t want Arsene Wenger to go out on top at Arsenal. While many accept that the time has now come for change, the romanticism of the story is such that defying its temptation is difficult.

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That desire to finish well, to retire in victory and, as the old films portray, ride off into the sunset, is a motivation. Or at least it would be if Wenger let it be.

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In an interview with BEIN Sports, of which you can see the full video below, Wenger admitted that he does not think about his image particularly, admitting that he is not concerned by ending his reign with a picture-perfect happy ending, very much like, say, his great adversary Sir Alex Ferguson. When asked about whether he is worried about his happy ending, Wenger answered:

"“Honestly no. I’m not too concerned about image. I focus on working on with the values I think are important, giving my best to the club. I am maybe naive enough to believe that with the time, perspective and emotional context, will stand out what I’ve done for my club. Not so much the last result or the last game I won or how much I have been applauded. I’m a little bit fed up with the modern thing of taking over of your image. I’ve always worked my whole life with the ideals it is more important who we are than how you look. So I am not too concerned about that.”"

It is certainly a very moral and humble stance to take. In a world increasingly obsessed with the public image, Wenger is more concerned with his inner philosophies, ideals, and principles. It is undoubtedly honourable. But is also halting the progress of the club?

It would be wrong of me to question Wenger’s motivation or desire. He could have walked away at any point in the last decade had he known that he no longer wanted to work the long hours, slay himself to the club, endure the abuse from the fans and the media, and suffer as all professional managers do.

But is there a comfort in his position that has seeped into the players? Is Wenger, who is clearly proud of his remarkable achievements, allowing his players to become proud of mediocrity? Are his players recognising his complacency of legacy and allowing themselves to take the foot off the gas?

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I cannot answer such questions. I am neither privy to the information nor have the intellect to speculate. But I do believe that they are questions worth asking, and that is perhaps concerning enough.