Arsenal: Jose Mourinho demise the bullet Gunners dodged

For those who tuned in to Tottenham’s 1-0 defeat at home to Chelsea and stuck it out until the end, congratulations. Only those either truly dedicated to the sport or a blue affiliation may have garnered some enjoyment. Arsenal fans watching on may feel like they dodged a bullet not appointing Jose Mourinho.

How far down the line the discussions went with the Portuguese boss isn’t entirely shrouded in mystery. Raul Sanllehi initiated contact and certain sources claim it was Mourinho who backed off the idea. Others disagree and state claims of talks were unfounded. Regardless:

Thank ****.

Addressing the obvious, Spurs are currently above Arsenal in the Premier League table, have scored more goals and conceded the same amount. They’re also in a Cup final, still in the FA Cup and in the hunt for a Europa League triumph. Calling a spade a spade, they’re doing better than Arsenal this season.

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Jose Mourinho’s demise at Tottenham is the bullet Arsenal dodged

At what price?

To what monetary gain do you rip apart the very fabric of an institution, one woven over decades of history and established under the watchful eye of the longest serving manager in the club’s history? You can’t put a price on that.

Tottenham are an appalling side to watch. Just atrocious. The football is bland and instinctive, relying so steadfastly on the individual brilliance of two world class forwards. Allowing the opponent to monopolise possession, their focus is on scouring the car park for whatever mode of transport they can acquire to sit slap-bang in front of their goal.

No patterns of play. No offensive cohesion.

There was a rot at Tottenham infesting within the squad, the like similar to Arsenal, thus appointing a man who has never overseen a rebuild in his career is beginning to pay its toll. Mourinho is the antithesis of everything Arsenal have been built on, favouring immediate gains and established players over a long-term project and sustained success.

The man has been a triumph previously in his career with an immense CV to boot. Those days are past him.

"“This is more than just watching football, it’s a way of life. It’s caring about the beautiful game, about the values we cherish.” – Arsene Wenger’s Emirates leaving speech."

Many Arsenal supporters from round the world weren’t born in north London. That doesn’t mean that your football team hasn’t chosen you. Wherever you may be, you still grow up falling in love with your club. Arsenal were a side heralded across Europe for their distinctive style of play, a legacy that still makes them an attractive prospect despite the current slump.

Mourinho would’ve ripped that sentiment out from the inside, scattered it across the world in a thousand pieces and left the club in bewildered and expensive turmoil. Reshaped ‘The Arsenal Way’.