A retrospective look at the lives of most great leaders depicts career-defining periods synonymous with their epoch. There is an often-cited biblical story of Joseph, who was sold into slavery by his Jewish brothers, leading to his incarceration. A sudden turn of events propels him to the zenith of leadership as Prime Minister in a foreign land. In his leadership role, Joseph's defining moments as 2nd in Command of Egypt will always be characterized by his achievements during a period spanning 14 years: seven years of abundance and seven years of famine. The former represented foraging of food in enormous amounts to store in nearby cities, while the latter brought about scarcity of food, placing constraints on its citizens.
In the world of football management, the hashtag #WengerOut has finally become a reality. It marks the end of an era, although some supporters may still be coming to terms with it. As rival club fans contemplate whom to troll in Arsène Wenger's absence, the Arsenal fan base, previously divided into the Wenger Out Brigade and the Arsene Knows Brigade, can now reunite. Navel-gazing into Arsène Wenger’s distinguished Arsenal career reveals a trajectory that bears a striking resemblance to Joseph's defining moments in leadership.
Wenger's 7 Golden Years (1998-2005) marked a remarkable period in Arsenal's history. Joining the club when JVC was a renowned brand for kit sponsorship, Wenger captivated England and the world with his Midas touch. This era was characterized by seven years of optimism, glory, and éclat. Le Prof's successful Premier League and F.A Cup double triumph in 1998 set the stage for several memorable years at Highbury.
During this time, Arsenal showcased champagne football with Thierry Henry's prolificacy and finesse becoming a standout feature. The team's crowning achievement was the Invincibles season in 2003/2004, going undefeated throughout the Premier League campaign. Moments like Sylvain Wiltord's winner at Old Trafford in 2002 and winning the League title at Tottenham's White Hart Lane added to the glory. Noteworthy moments include Dennis Bergkamp's sublime finish against Newcastle, outmaneuvering Greek center back Dabizas at St James Park, becoming an iconic Premier League goal. Beyond the on-field success, Wenger's charm, diplomacy, and occasional sarcasm in press conferences made him a media darling. His famous retort, "Everyone thinks they have the prettiest wife at home," in response to Sir Alex Ferguson's claim that Manchester United were the best team in 2002, despite Arsenal being the champions, became legendary.
Although Wenger faced challenges in European competitions, he achieved monumental success on the domestic front, securing three Premier League Titles (1997–98, 2001–02, 2003–04), four F.A Cups (1997-98, 2001-02, 2002-03, 2004-05), and four FA Community Shields (1998, 1999, 2002, 2004). This period will forever be etched in Arsenal's history as a time of greatness under Wenger's leadership.
Wenger’s 7 Barren Years (2006-2013)
Smooth sailing defined the early days for Arsène and Arsenal until the influx of foreign 'moolah' took over the Premier League. Similar to a Christian eagerly anticipating the Second Coming of Christ, Wenger's continuous advocacy for the implementation of financial fair play by UEFA remained unanswered. The emergence of Roman Abramovich's Chelsea and the appointment of Jose Mourinho, along with significant signings of top-quality players like Drogba, Essien, and Makelele, led to back-to-back Premier League titles for the Blues.
Meanwhile, Arsenal's move from Highbury to the Emirates Stadium imposed substantial financial constraints on the club due to the stadium debt. This forced a change in transfer policies, resulting in the departure of key players to rival clubs. In contrast, Manchester United, under the ownership of Malcom Glazer, was able to secure quality players like Carrick and Tevez while already boasting talents such as Rooney and Ronaldo, leading to a period filled with trophy wins for the Red Devils. The financial landscape of the Premier League further shifted with Manchester City's takeover, first by Thaksin Shinawatra and then by Sheikh Mansour. The acquisition of marquee signings like Aguero, Silva, and Yaya Toure, along with experienced management under Roberto Mancini, propelled the club into a new era of title dominance.
Amid Arsenal's trophy drought, Wenger's team continued to showcase an attractive possession-based style of football. They achieved memorable victories at renowned stadiums like Santiago Bernabéu, Allianz Arena, and San Siro, as well as defeating Pep Guardiola's formidable Barcelona side at the Emirates. However, the period was also marked by near misses and disappointments. Wenger's side endured heartbreak in the 2006 Champions League Final against Ronaldinho's Barcelona, falling just 13 minutes short of claiming their first European trophy. The departure of club legend Thierry Henry to Barcelona, Eduardo's devastating injury in 2008, a shocking defeat to Birmingham in the Carling Cup final, a humiliating 8-2 loss to Manchester United, and the persistent challenge of Drogba and Chelsea added to the excruciating period for Wenger and the Arsenal faithful. The trophy cabinet gathered dust, while moments of frustration, tactical lapses, and regret lingered for both the manager and the fans.
Ultimately, Wenger and Arsenal rediscovered their trophy-winning ways in 2014, which coincided with the club joining the ranks of the spending elite. They broke their transfer record with the signing of Mesut Özil. Although they managed to secure 3 F.A Cups and 3 FA Community Shields (2013–14, 2014–15, and 2016–17), it wasn't enough to satisfy the hunger of the major-trophy starved fan base. Wenger's famous quote from 1998, "If you eat caviar every day, it's difficult to return to sausages," had come back to haunt him. The allure for greater success (caviar) intensified, leading to massive fan unrest and numerous empty seats at the Emirates Stadium; the once passionate love affair had almost vanished. Consequently, after 22 years, 1,235 games, and a fitting farewell, Le Professeur finally bid adieu to the English game.
In his penultimate press conference, Wenger reflected on his time at the club and said, "… I have 20,000 trees out there [at the training ground] and I saw everyone like that (small) and they are now massive. I will greet every one of them before I leave and say, 'thank you' …." One can't help but admire Arsène Wenger, particularly for his remarkable diplomacy with words.
Drawing parallels with Joseph, these two men serve as exceptional examples of visionary leadership, navigating through difficult times with finesse. Notably, Jeremy Corbyn, the renowned LABOUR party leader, has supported the idea of awarding Arsene Wenger an honorary knighthood for his invaluable services to British football, showcasing him as a prime illustration of successful immigration in the country.
#MerciArsène !!!
Twitter : @tjwood_
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