This is the most gut-wrenching question of them all, and to anyone with a heart, it makes me very sad to contemplate. To me it comes down to two simple things.
Firstly, it depends on what is the real story with our finances, buying power and competetiveness in the transfer market. If wenger is still complicit in the under-funding of the team, then yes, he should go.
Secondly, you have to ask the question of leadership from within. Does he, or did he ever have (pre-installed arsenal tradition and passion in a readymade back four, aside) the ability to motivate, and get players mentally ready to do whatever it takes?
This impacts slightly on the first question, as I don't think pre-RVP, that we've had a captain or any leadership since Vieira left, and over reliance on youth has knocked the stuffing out of us. I think this is pivotal to the whole thing.
We lost our tradition and history to a degree when we moved and cleared out the old gaurd, who we replaced with kids too young or too "foriegn" to appreciate what The Arsenal are about. Wenger is part of this, and despite all the good things he's done, underestimating the impact of not rolling over that history through his rebuilding of squads is unforgivable.
Of course the board and their americanisation of the arsenal experience is to blame as well. So regarding the second point, he should be held accountable for destroying some of what it means to be a gooner. That is unforgivable.
I still believe he is a good man. A great thinker. Passionate, but a recluse. A genius at spotting talent, but with a stubborness that stops him listening to or carrying out the very basic principles of football.
I really am torn in deciding whether he can or will reverse those mistakes. Can he still manage a team to success? Yes. He's a top manager. But can he breath life back into THE Arsenal...i'm not so sure he can.
In the cold light of day, yes, he should go. With my affection for the man and what he was and what i still think he can be......there's still a apart of me that wants him to stay and succeed???
It's all so sad
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