Corner flag (vol 3.1) - Is this Arsene Wenger's Gorbachev moment?

Over the weekend watched a BBC documentary on the 20th anniversary of the fall of Soviet Union. It had this long interview with Mikhail Gorbachev, where he spoke about his doomed roller coaster experience - from a revolutionary within to a beaten leader who oversaw the collapse of his country. Talked of Glasnost & Perestroika, reminding one of his charisma, powers of anticipation and courage to pursue change much against the wishes of the army and KGB. Eventually he was caught out by the surging nationalistic movement at the time and unceremoniously removed from power. As we hear from people close to him during his final days as the leader of the USSR, it emerges that he was blinded by his own stubborness. Blinded by his grand vision of how things should be.

One could see that even after 20 years, he still has not come to terms with the fact that he was not allowed to complete the job he began. I would have thought after all these years, hindsight would have made him realise that his biggest failing was his inability to adapt. As I was watching Gorbachev speak, I could only think of the similarity to the situation that Arsene Wenger finds himself in.

It has been a horrible start to the season. Enough has been written about how Arsenal is on its way to a mid table spot after having been stripped of its 2 best players. Empty seats, angry fans and the end of Arsene Wenger era hog most season preview articles. Amongst a whole host of issues that plague the team, the primary reason why the Wenger youth project has not been successful is down to lack of leadership. Wenger has been the defacto captain of the team for the past few years and has failed to drive the team mentally & tactically.


In April, our captain spoke out on his frustrations of being the leader of Arsenal:

I am the man who everyone looks to. I don't like to say it but it is true. If I play badly, I take responsibility and the pressure of the supporters. It is not something I am used to but I am captain, so it is reality. Only me and Van Persie remain of that [Invincibles] generation so we have a lot of responsibility. We are all so young that there is nobody you look at and say: 'Wow.'

At his first press conference at the Nou Camp, Cesc Fabregas spoke about many things - what caught my eye was the following bit, which convinvced me that he had first given up about Arsenal and then started thinking about going home.

At Arsenal, there were finals and semi-finals but we always lacked that little extra push to win something. That was hard to take. It was not that we didn't win titles it was that we kept going through the same routine, the same things happening to us and us messing up. I gave everything for Arsenal but it didn't show in the [trophy] cabinet because I only won one FA Cup.

But like a true monkey, I would like to believe that only way is up from here for the Arsenal and Arsene Wenger.

As a final note on our ex-captain, I am convinced that if Fabregas remains patient, it is just a matter of time before he becomes the captain of Barcelona and Spain one day.

Corner flag (vol 2.3)

It eventually was one of the most exciting games that I have ever witnessed. Out played for significant periods of time, to come back and equalise in the manner they did, was just fucking fantastic. Yes, we lost Fabregas and Arshavin for rest of the season, but the final 30 minutes was just fucking brilliant - a bit emotional for the monkey over here and for scores of other monkeys around the world.

Its only half-way though the QF and with our 2 best players out, its going to be a bigger ask away at Nou Camp. But its all there to play for as Petit declares over here. With our squad decimated, its pointless to analyse our chances in the Champions league and the Premier league. Its down to the 12-14 players that remain to become bigger players (in height, skills and mental ability) - one way that can happen, is to plug into the Matrix.

In other words, I don't expect them to win anything - but have every opportunity to become bigger players by putting on a show - for the club, for us monkeys and for themselves. Its time to hope and only hope - which is not a bad thing honestly.

                       

Corner flag (vol 2.2)

In a few hours, one of the most anticipated games of the season kicks off in North London. Arsenal vs Barcelona Champions league QF. Much has been written of the 2 stylish teams - but they couldn't have been more different - one a champion of all silverware last year and the other, a young, naive lot who have won nothing.

It is going to be tough for Arsenal no doubt. Wenger has, as always before big games, challenged his team to beat the odds and their more accomplished opponents. As I have been saying on Corner flag before, its all down to the mental ability of the team to deliver a balanced performance. Calmness in attacking, defending tightly when not in possession and keeping shape at all times. I continue to think that the ingredients, in terms of players, are there and have developed even further this season. It pretty much boils down to being alive for 90 minutes and not getting excited. Its about learning from the quite a few fuckups that have occurred this year.

Will they do it? We have faced this question a few times before. I remember Feb 2007 Carling Cup finals against Chelsea - there were similar expectations; "could this be the win thats going to kick-start a secular championship winning run?" I remember thinking then:  "Could this be the silverware that is going to infuse that mental ability, that confidence, to be feared, to be champions". Balls happened (and a few red cards), as we now know. Following year it was the league that was promising - captain & an ankle exploded and all confidence quickly vanished. Last year, the expectations never really took off - but this year, its all holding together. Strangely.

But, can they beat Barcelona - over 2 legs and do the impossible? I think they will. But I am a monkey, so the fact that I do think Arsenal will beat the greatest club in the world shouldn't surprise you.

The manager has toned down his "public" expectations of his team and has on a few occasions admitted his frustration with the team and shortcomings in crucial games. I am beginning to wonder just as the team has started to mature, he too has evolved i.e. being more open about the weaknesses that persist and "facing it". In a subconscious sort of a way, I think its basically handing over control to his players.

Though, we all know that one day things will click - but the interim period has been terribly painful. Will nothing change this 2 leg clash? Fuck knows.

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Must direct all to this wonderful interview with the greatest legend. For some one who had said when he retired that he will never return to a football pitch, he seems to be revelling in his role at the Ajax youth academy. Its wonderful to come across his thoughts, as he seldom is heard in public. And more importantly for me, it was interesting to read his objective look at Wenger's philosophy and the absolute defence of his old coach's beliefs. For monkeys like me, reassurance is required from time to time. And this has been long overdue.