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Arsene Wenger must go against the past and not bend to interest in Alexis Sanchez
As the uncertainty over Arsene Wenger’s future raged on, one of his former players felt he had a good idea of what was going to happen.
“That’s why I think he’ll hold on to Arsenal,” Tony Adams told the Guardian. “He said: ‘I’ve turned down every club in the world.’ But he would’ve been sacked after a year at Madrid. He would’ve had to go to from club to club. But, at Arsenal, he’s got total dominance. The board do nothing. Arsène has a free rein. He’s earning them so much money he can do what he wants. And I don’t think Arsène can let go. It’s an addiction.”
That obsession with control has permeated into many facets of the club, but it has consistently escaped Wenger when it comes to holding on to star players. Thierry Henry was arguably the first major loss, then Cesc Fabregas, Samir Nasri, and Robin van Persie. All went on to join rival clubs, and all won Premier League titles.
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Consequently, it has left some Arsenal fans feeling an ominous sense of déjà vu with Alexis Sanchez. Wenger can make players better, but he has not always been able to persuade them to stay once their potential is realised.
“I couldn’t even talk when I wanted to say how grateful I was for what he has done to me, so I had to send a message afterwards saying thanks for everything,” Fabregas said at his Barcelona unveiling. “If it was not for him I would not be here today to live my dream. I will never have enough words to say how grateful I am. I went from being a boy to a man and they gave me absolutely everything in football.”
At the time, it felt as if the investment in infrastructure was dictating Arsenal’s transfer policy. While Fabregas, Nasri and Van Persie all drew ire from supporters, their reason for leaving could not be contested, with Nasri even admitting it publicly.
“I took stock before I went to Manchester City, I was joining a club with Yaya Toure, David Silva, Sergio Aguero, Carlos Tevez [Former City Player],” he said. “I spent three seasons at Arsenal without any title and at the end of the season we sold our best player that was Cesc Fabregas. I preferred to join City and I won titles and indeed I earn a better living. And why not a second national title in three years? I am very happy with my choice.”
What has been most disheartening to supporters, is that Wenger has always maintained those players would not leave, invariably just before they ended up departing. While it’s easy to lament the character of those leaving, their success cannot be argued against.
Nasri may now be persona non grata at Manchester City, but he still helped them towards two Premier League titles. Likewise, Fabregas, now with Chelsea, has a pair of Premier League crowns in his trophy cabinet, while Van Persie collected one with Manchester United. Even Henry collected a pair of La Liga titles with Barcelona, all while Wenger continues to wait for his first Premier League title since 2004.
However, Sanchez’s situation should be different. The change in Arsenal’s financial situation means any need to sell — whether real or not back then — is no longer present, and yet the Chilean’s motivation for moving is the same as those before him. Sanchez is 29, the same age Henry was when he left for Barcelona. He is likely aware that the time for winning trophies is slipping by, and the allure of winning the FA Cup is not enough to maintain an ambitious player who has just one league title win on his CV.
Whereas before, Wenger could perhaps have been excused for selling Sanchez he must now go against expectation. The Frenchman’s current contract with the Gunners is almost certainly his last one, especially if mediocrity in the Premier League persists. The club’s failure to qualify for the Champions League last season was a significant failure, and one compounded by the fact he has so often explained away the lack of trophies by citing consistent qualification for Europe’s premier competition as an achievement in itself.
The need for a major trophy, (outside of the FA Cup) has never been greater. That makes the allure of a potential transfer fee moot when you consider the value of keeping Sanchez for one more year, and attacking the Premier League with force. Success in that competition would silence those that felt Wenger should have walked away after his FA Cup success against Chelsea in May, while also providing him with the perfect exit point from the club.
“He has flu. I had him on text yesterday He will be back as soon as possible. He’s staying here,” Wenger said after Arsenal’s win over Benfica on Saturday.
Whether he can maintain that stance remains to be seen. Comparative to 2012 and Van Persie, Arsenal’s greater financial strength not only makes it easier for Wenger to say no to Manchester City and Pep Guardiola, but imperative he does so.
