By: Omar Jatta
“I believe the target of anything in life should be to do it so well that it becomes an art” Arsene Wenger once said.
When he celebrated his 15th anniversary at Arsenal, back in 2011, Wenger was asked about his ambitions for the Arsenal? Not that it was the first of such questions being asked about Wenger and Arsenal everywhere else, amongst Arsenal fans, pundits and rivals fans alike.
Wenger replied with a short, visionary, but far reached answer, he said “his ambition remains to make the Gunners the best club in the world, adding ‘simple as that’.
“The vision is to make this club the best club in the world, it is as simple as that. To carry through the values we think are important in the game. ” I am very proud of the values I defend in the game and we will try to continue to do that,” wenger said.
When asked how long it might take to put Arsenal on top of World football then, he replied: “In my life I hope. You may say to me I have to live very long, I don’t know. I want to try to give my best because only the best is acceptable and if I don’t manage to do it I am very sad. Like when we had a bad start to the season, it is uncomfortable but we keep going. I try to do well and see if it works or not, rejected or not, can win or not, like any manager
Wenger is not just a football manager, he is a visionary, thus he is nicknamed “Le Professeur”. Which is used by fans and the British media to reflect his studious demeanour. He has contributed immensely in revolutionising the game with his approach, which emphasises an attacking mentality, with the aim that football ought to be entertaining on the pitch. He also sees the game as an art with values that must be preserved and cherished. One of those visions is sustainability – for clubs to exist within their means, not spending beyond their limits. His approach to focus on developing youth rather than spending sumptuously on readily made players with hiked price tags made Arsenal one the most financially stable clubs in the world.
Many had doubted his vision, especially on his spending or the lack of it. Many were critical about his philosophy and some detested his policies. But finally the vision, the philosophy and the policies are emerging as one. The vision to make Arsenal Football Club a dictating force in English and World football at large, enveloped in a system based on a viable, stable and sound financial structure, in the pursuance of a sustained dominance in the game is feasible. You just have believe as Arsene ‘Le Professeur’ foretold.
“If you do not believe you can do it then you have no chance at all”. Said Wenger.
Arsenal’s recent explosion on Manchester United, destroying them within minutes of the game’s kick off and the resilience and tenacity they’ve shown in their desperate Champions League victory over Bayern Munich and last night’s ruthless triumph over City, all indicates the birth of a new dawn, a new day for greater successes in on the horizons.
It was a victory that vindicates Wenger’s vision. Manchester City is a team built on the financial might of Sheikh Mansour’s bottomless coffers, which has transformed a mediocre team into one of of Europe’s top teams with an array of highly talented players. But Wenger’s policy of nurturing the likes of Hector Bellerin, Aaron Ramsey, Theo Walcott, Mathieu Flamini and the likes can be slow in coming to fruition but when it does the blooms can be spotted by all.
Wenger’s artistic approach to the game encourages fluidity in the team’s play, which is built around the Orchestration of the German genius, Mesut Ozil, whose vision on the pitch matches that of his boss’s off the pitch. Providing goals for teammates like Santa and gifts. His two assists last night for Theo Walcott and Olivier Giroud took his tally 15th of the season.
Theo’s finish also manifested Wenger’s vision by being patient with the players as he nurture them to realise their full potential no matter how long it takes him. It was a curling shot which must have brought a smile on the face former Arsenal legend and last night’s pundit on Sky Sports, Thierry Henry, as the goal from the left edge of the Manchester City box reminiscent the so many curlers seen at Highbury from the Gunners legend.
Arsenal’s second from French striker, Olivier Giroud was an equal beauty. After pouncing on an exquisite through ball from Ozil, he finished with great composure and precision just on the stroke of half time to give his team a two goal cushion going into the break.
However, the amount of talent at display for Manchester City allowed logic to be vindicated, that they were two down but not beaten and that was manifested in their second half endeavours as they rally around, with their powerful midfield enforcer Yaya Toure being the main driving force. His fantastic 30 yard shot deserve to be the goal that beats Arsenal’s defensive resilience, something they were not associated with.
The goal brought City back into the game and on another they could’ve earned a result. However the Gunners showed another side to their game, defending deep and solid, while launching quick counter attacks and with the pace in the team, that suit them to perfection as seen in the chances from Joel Campbell and Aaron Ramsey late in the game. With more composure they could’ve extended their lead.
Finally, give credit where due, Arsene Wenger deserve praises for remaining steadfast, despite the lack of trust and adversity thrusted at him in the last decade…. you just got to believe “Rome was not built in a day”
