“At first, I thought: what does this Frenchman know about football? he wears glasses and looks more like a schoolteacher. He’s not going to be as good as George [Graham]. Does he even speak English properly?”

Arsenal Captain Tony Adams, 1996.

This was the same thought on every mind when Wenger joined Arsenal in 1996. The next 9 years removed any doubt in all minds. 3 premier league title wins, 4 FA Cup wins, a UEFA runners up place and an undefeated season consisting of 49 games. these were the good years. the next 5 years were dry. Drier than happy hour at Wetherspoons in Manipur. Departure of key players, no Premier League titles, no FA Cup wins and finishing only in 4th place every season. The bad years.

“All good things come to and, and after a 7 year trophy drought and with the possible departure of Robin van Persie, should it also be Arsene’s?”

The start of 2011/12 season is when things started getting ugly. The worst start to any season in 58 years, the worst defeat in Arsenal’s history since 1939 (the unforgettable 8-2 loss to Manchester United away), losing Wilshere to injury which ultimately kept him out all season, followed by the selling of last season’s key player; Samir Nasri and our captain; Cesc Fabregas (with no real replacements) and entering the relegation zone for a large part of the beginning of the season (we were in 17th place in October) whilst struggling to stay in the top 4 for the remainder.

For the first time in Wenger’s 15 year career at Arsenal, fans wanted him out. Not many managers in this profession can pull off a Bob Paisley, Brian Clough or an Alex Ferguson. So what makes Wenger think he can? we were all guilty of taking one look at Kenny Dalgleish throughout last season and thinking ‘you should have never returned’. but is it now also time for Wenger to depart? take the experience he has gained at arsenal and leave for another team, where he can flourish once more? if he stays, will he decay? all good things come to and, and after a 7 year trophy drought and with the possible departure of Robin van Persie, should it also be Arsene’s?

No. Nay. Never! Arsenal enjoyed a run of successive comeback wins between February and March gaining 24 points, narrowly missed out on the opportunity of achieving the greatest comeback in Champions League history with their 3-0 win against AC Milan, which would have seen them into the quarter finals and finished the season in 3rd position (no team has ever finished in the top four of the premier league after such a start. Ever), securing automatic qualification to next seasons Champions League campaign.

Some may argue finishing 3rd isn’t enough when the point gap between the top 2 teams is almost 20 points. However, being behind one team who are the most successful in the English Premier League and another who have spent almost £1billion on players, with no class, may I add. We reached further in the UEFA CL this season than both of these teams. Arsenal turned a record 6-month profit in 2012 and are not even close to reaching the colossal debts of teams such as Manchester United, Chelsea or Liverpool. So what’s the beef? Wenger has earned his place at Arsenal and should only leave once he feels he can do no more and wants to. Not by the unconstructive criticism produced by arm chair fans who are quick to turn on their own team when the going gets tough.

Long live wenger.