Uncertainty can have a very detrimental effect on football clubs. When the sack looms over a manager’s head or when a takeover occurs, speculation and rumour can take on a life of their own which can cast a long shadow over affairs on the pitch. At Arsenal, we have been in this situation before. Arsene Wenger took a great deal of time to make his mind up on signing a new deal in 2014 and now with his contract up once again, the same rumours about the Frenchman leaving have surfaced.
The Gunners are believed to be sounding out potential replacements just in the case the legendary manager departs the Emirates at the end of the season. Juventus manager Max Allegri has been heavily linked while RB Leipzig’s talented head coach Ralph Hasenhuttl has also confirmed he has had preliminary talks with Arsenal about his interest in the post.
In many other years this would be unhelpful to have such rumours but not hugely detrimental as the expectation would be that Arsene would sign on the dotted line eventually. This time however, things are different for two reasons.
Firstly, Arsene is not getting any younger. At 67, he may be considering retiring or a looking for a new challenge. Secondly, and probably more importantly, this time around the futures of two of the club’s best players are also on line. Both Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil’s contracts have 18 months to run, and are reportedly locked in talks over new deals to stay at the Emirates.
Finances will no doubt play a big part in both the Chilean and the German’s decision to remain in London but it is apparent from the player’s own reported comments that Wenger’s own future is key to their own as well.
In an interview with Kicker Magazine a couple of weeks ago, Ozil commented that he was waiting on Wenger’s own decision to sign a new contract. Wenger was instrumental in bringing the player from Real Madrid and Ozil felt a certain level of loyalty to the Frenchman. In a press conference after the comments were published, Wenger played down his own importance in a new deal being agreed with the German playmaker.
Sanchez’s comments are less clear. Robert Pires revealed yesterday that he asked the Chilean about his contract situation at Arsenal. The forward appeared to be totally non-committal stating he didn’t know what would happen, and he would leave the details to his agent so he could concentrate on his football.
In recent interviews with Arsenal’s official website, Sanchez has reiterated he is happy to stay in London and his apparent happiness to stay but seemingly unwillingness to sign is troubling. Like Ozil, it could be that he is also waiting for an indication from Wenger that he is willing to stay, although it is important to remember too that the Chilean does have interest from the Chinese Super League.
What is clear though (especially in Ozil’s case) is that Wenger’s future is spreading uncertainty to the players as well. It may be time for Wenger to at least make it known in private to the club his intentions. He may have made it known to the board already, we don’t know, but it looks certain that neither Ozil nor Sanchez know whether he is staying or going. Perhaps a word in their ear could give some clarity to the situation, and allow them to make an informed decision on their futures at Arsenal.
With their futures sorted, the team could then re-focus their efforts on hunting Chelsea down at the top of the table rather than being enthralled in speculation that is needless and could prove counter-productive in the long run for Arsenal’s title chances.
