Paul Doyle of the Guardian writes of the job security for Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger.Arsenal's chief executive, Ivan Gazidis, has delivered a rousing defence of the club's manager, Arsène Wenger, insisting suggestions that the Frenchman's methods no longer suit the modern game and that his position is under threat are "nonsense".
Following last season's dismal conclusion Arsenal have made their worst start to a campaign in over half a century but Gazidis said criticism of the club and the manager is a result of dangerous "short-termism" and that in the long run Arsenal are on course to thrive.
"[The criticism of Wenger] is part of this black and white perception: that you're either flying high or a broken failure," said Gazidis. "He didn't suddenly become a bad manager. To have him portrayed as some kind of idiot who is out of touch is profoundly damaging, not simply for Arsenal nor particularly for Arsène, but for football. It's nonsense based on the need to always create a mini-crisis … we are incredibly fortunate to have a manager who has a vision of what the game can be. To have a manager that thinks about the future is relatively rare.
"There is genuine unity of purpose at Arsenal. We are fully supportive of each other. I think the lack of division [between the board and the manager] sometimes infuriates people."
Gazidis rubbished suggestions that Wenger has become disillusioned by the criticism, saying the manager remains "passionately engaged" to the club. He acknowledged that the team have had some "horrible" results in recent months and fallen below expectations but said it is to Wenger's credit that expectations are so high in the first place.
"The potential is very high at the club but self-inflicted problems have prevented us from achieving that potential. We have to correct that – that is the frustration that Arsène is wrestling with."
Following last season's dismal conclusion Arsenal have made their worst start to a campaign in over half a century but Gazidis said criticism of the club and the manager is a result of dangerous "short-termism" and that in the long run Arsenal are on course to thrive.
"[The criticism of Wenger] is part of this black and white perception: that you're either flying high or a broken failure," said Gazidis. "He didn't suddenly become a bad manager. To have him portrayed as some kind of idiot who is out of touch is profoundly damaging, not simply for Arsenal nor particularly for Arsène, but for football. It's nonsense based on the need to always create a mini-crisis … we are incredibly fortunate to have a manager who has a vision of what the game can be. To have a manager that thinks about the future is relatively rare.
"There is genuine unity of purpose at Arsenal. We are fully supportive of each other. I think the lack of division [between the board and the manager] sometimes infuriates people."
Gazidis rubbished suggestions that Wenger has become disillusioned by the criticism, saying the manager remains "passionately engaged" to the club. He acknowledged that the team have had some "horrible" results in recent months and fallen below expectations but said it is to Wenger's credit that expectations are so high in the first place.
"The potential is very high at the club but self-inflicted problems have prevented us from achieving that potential. We have to correct that – that is the frustration that Arsène is wrestling with."
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