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Arsenal exec comes to Arsene’s defence

Comment: 0 September 21st, 2011 by: admin

DESPITE all the difficulties Arsenal are currently mired into, Arsene Wenger’s job as manager is not under threat.

No less than the club’s chief executive clarified on Tuesday that Wenger is “not broken’’ and they are “fortunate’’ to have the French bench tactician whose side are off to a horrendous takeoff this season.

Ivan Gazidis said the French boss is widely praised by management for his “transformation’’ of the London club as he likewise shrugged off fans’ griping that Wenger may have lost his touch after the team’s worst start to a season in 58 years.

“Thinking spending money solves issues (or) firing a manager solves issues – these are short-term cures that actually have tremendous costs for football clubs that are not often played out in the short term. That’s the route we are not going to go down,’’ said Gazidis at the Sport Industry Breakfast Club.

During the question-and-answer event for business leaders in London, Gazidis lauded Wenger for bringing to the club “the amount of admiration for Arsenal, the way we play the game and the extraordinary technical dexterity.’’

The Gunners, still without a major trophy since winning the FA Cup in 2005, lost three of their five Premier League outings and are just a point above the relegation zone at present.

Wenger, meanwhile, said he is not bothered at all by the speculations surrounding his future with the club.

Speaking after Arsenal whipped Shrewsbury 3-1 in the third round of the League Cup, Wenger said: “Whether I work here for the next 10 years or for the next day, I will give my maximum for the club and let other people assess the situation. I focus on doing well for this club – that’s all.’’

Wenger added he understands that people are unhappy “but I know that they are quick to go overboard.’’

Gazidis also said that Arsenal’s owner, American sports tycoon Stan Kroenke will soon speak publicly for the first time. Kroenke recently bought Arsenal, adding the team to his portfolio that also includes the NBA’s Denver Nuggets, NFL’s St. Louis Rams, NHL’s Colorado Avalanche and MLS’s Colorado Rapids.

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