The Player or the Club?

G

one are the days when the Club meant everything. Gone are the days when the players feared their managers and revered them. Players think they’re outsmarting the community now, using their wily agents to cook up stories for them, and help them frame “Letters to the fans” and what not. They dare turn us, the fans, against the management, just to save their pretty money starved faces, when things surrounding our clubs and their ‘ Direction’ couldn’t be possibly any clearer in our innocent and loyal minds.

An extinct race?…

It’s been beautiful, this last season. The months from off season through September were closest to an excerpt right out of a horror story. Yet, the months that followed made us feel stronger than ever before our love for Arsenal. Months filled with picture perfect moments, even a whole month of being treated to the return of the King. The fans have never been happier since the glory years. Rosiscky twirling his arms in ecstasy at the derby, Vermaelen with his tongue sticking out against Newcastle, Henry charging into the arms of Wenger at the FA Cup.

Fairy tale…

Through it all, we had Captain Vantastic, unleashing his blitzkrieg at every game, winning every individual accolade the Premier League had on offer, and most of all, winning over our hearts. We gave in, poor souls that we are.

The season ends, Arsenal finishing fairly OK for the start they had. Arsene Wenger buys a top class striker to share RVP’s burden, and lines up a few more impressive signings, in the process appeasing the captain’s wish to bring in more quality players. Pundits worldwide try to comprehend what a threat Arsenal are going to be next season. Mouths water.

Awesome threesome fantasies.

A humbling European Championship later, Van the Man strikes a massive blow.

It’s been three days, the news has finally begun to sink in, we’re back where we were last summer, or so we can think. The footballing world that cares about the club needed somebody to hold responsible. Even after the last season, there are some who still doubt Wenger, saying he should have offered a better deal and bought more players. But then, Wenger does not control the money, the Board does. The Board can spend the money only if the owner lets them. The owner chooses to be unaware of what takes place East of the Atlantic. The blame game is tiring.

In all this turmoil, we forget one of our very own.

An “Update for the fans”? Come on Robin, that could easily have been “Come get me, City!” or “Arsenal, a club devoid of ambition” . Arsene Wenger picks up a throwaway from Feyenoord. He deals with the fact that the boy cannot keep his temper in control. He deals with the fact that the boy is never fit for five games in a row. He deals with this, for seven years. After seven years of waiting and reassuring the press that he has loads of talent and to believe in him like he does, Wenger’s prayers are answered. The boy he nurtured, has grown into a man, tendons all healthy, guns blazing. He wows the Premier League with his exquisite finishing, and all Wenger can do at press conferences is exhibit a wide wrinkled smile and an ever so innocent ” I told you so” .

What does this amazing person get for all his work?

“Out of my huge respect for Mr. Wenger, the players and the fans I don’t want to go into any details, but unfortunately in this meeting it has again become clear to me that we in many aspects disagree on the way Arsenal FC should move forward.”

Since when does a player know better than the whole management about the direction a club is moving in? To make things all mushy, he/ Kees Vos, has added a handful of ‘you guys’ strategically in the letter. Oh, but fool us you won’t. Seven years he earns while our medical team tire fixing his paper ankles. One year he fires, and he thinks he’s better than the club? The fans would have understood if he had just left, thanking us. But, he puts our Club in the hot seat, questions their policies? At first, we worry about how our team is going to produce its goals next season, then he clearly points out that he doesn’t feel Arsenal are going to win trophies in the future. This is not something anybody expects from their captains. Even Fabregas had a little class before leaving.

Last season has been wonderful Robin, we thank you for that. The memories will stay. Now, you’ve chosen to move on, get moving already, because we’re tired and can’t wait for Giroud and Lu Lu Lu Lukas Podolski.

Time to go..