Wenger: We must stay united to survive
The Gunners have slowly recovered form with seven wins from the last eight games as they reached the quarter-finals of the Carling Cup and moved top of their Champions League group following what was the most testing spell of Wenger’s 15-season tenure – during which they were thumped 8-2 at Manchester United and slumped down the Premier League table.
While more tough challenges lie ahead, starting at rivals Chelsea tomorrow, Wenger remains adamant the future is bright if all Gunners fans continue to keep the faith.
“I can see a lot of fear and discontent among you and I can understand that because we live in a world where we fight with people who have extremely high resources,” said Wenger. He spoke for more than 10 minutes at the end of what had been a sometimes spiky meeting where majority shareholder Stan Kroenke gave his first speech since completing a takeover.
“The way we can compete is to try to be intelligent, but as well to be united because it is very difficult to be consistent in football.”
“To stay at the top, top level, we have to be united.
“That doesn’t mean I am not to be criticised. I accept that is part of my job and that the board has been criticised, but to the outside we have to show we are united because that is the only way to survive at the top.
“We defend values as well that at the time are questioned — the self-sufficient model. Do we want to change that or not? I believe, and I take full responsibility for this, that we can be competitive the way we run the club.”
Wenger, who turned 62 earlier this month, admitted the bitter disappointments of last season — where his young side imploded after a shock Carling Cup final defeat to Birmingham at Wembley.
The Gunners boss added: “We had a very difficult start to the season and were under tremendous pressure.
“We started at the Emirates [Stadium] with a very difficult environment because people were very sceptical.
“But they understood two things — if they do not get behind the team, we have no chance and secondly people realise this team has the right attitude and spirit. At the end of the season, we will see where we stand.
“If we give absolutely everything and do fight together for every single game in every single competition, we can still look back at the end of the season and be proud of our attitude and what we have achieved.”
Wenger concluded: “I would personally like to turn round the scepticism that is surrounding this club at the moment. For me it is too high.
“Trust us, this team has qualities, this team will fight – and if you help us to do that I think we will have a successful season.”
For his part, Kroenke maintains he is at Arsenal for the “long term” — and believes the club have everything in place to be a success both on and off the pitch.
“Arsenal has all the elements that you need to have success in this kind of business,” said Kroenke.
“[The club] has tremendous management at the top, a wonderful manager on the pitch who makes great decisions in regard to personnel, and a tremendous following with the supporters. With all those things in place, it was an easy decision for us to get more involved.”
Kroenke added: “We are glad to be here, are happy with the direction of the club are here for the long term — we love London, you had better get used to seeing us, because we will be around.”
There were times when the AGM became somewhat heated, with chairman Peter Hill-Wood the subject of several personal attacks, one shareholder calling for his resignation.
Hill-Wood said: “Sorry to disappoint you, but I have no intention of standing down, although it is actually a decision for my board colleagues.
“I am also a fan, and I share the desire for us to be successful.’’
Kroenke also felt it necessary to respond to the hostility towards Arsenal’s long-serving chairman, taking the microphone to declare: “We are all fans. Peter has our support.”
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