The Manchester United boss is under intense pressure due to his side's form, yet his Arsenal counterpart seems to be given a free pass every 12 months
One is a man 18 months into the task of instigating a full-scale restructure of one of the game’s most institutionalised clubs. The other has won little of note in 12 years. On the face of it, it is easy to see why one of Louis van Gaal and Arsene Wenger is under significant pressure as Manchester United get set to host Arsenal at Old Trafford on Sunday.
Yet while it is Van Gaal who has been thrust under the spotlight thanks to his United side’s struggles this season, Wenger has been given a comparatively easy ride by the neutrals. The Dutchman’s handling of his job at Old Trafford has rightly drawn criticism, but the Arsenal boss continues to somehow evade the serious question marks which the Gunners' acceptance of mediocrity arguably deserve.
Van Gaal was in defensive mode again this week after his side's inconsistencies were brought into question. United have slid out of title contention and dropped from the Champions League to the Europa League, but he claimed it is the critics rather than his team who have been erratic this term.
“That’s football. You can win, lose or play a draw,” said the Dutchman. “Only the media is inconsistent, that’s different. It is the media. At Sunderland we didn’t lose because of the media, no, that is true. But the media makes it bigger than it is.”
And he has a point on one level at least. Though it is churlish to suggest that the media and a large portion of United’s online fan presence simply has it out for Van Gaal and his side, and that a distant fifth spot and outside chances in both the Europa League and FA Cup are acceptable, his treatment from the press benches has not been consistent with at least one other Premier League boss.
Wenger has been living on decade-old achievements for too long. How a manager who took his club to constant successes around the turn of the century turned annual Champions League eliminations by March and finishes of no higher than third in 10 consecutive seasons into a badge of honour remains a mystery. Obi-Wan Kenobi would be proud of the brainwashing powers the Frenchman has shown in having fans accept the continual let-downs in recent years.
United’s form of late has been by no means worthy of particular praise, but it has arguably been more impressive than Arsenal’s given the scenario. Having as many as 15 players out recently, there is a sizeable argument for Van Gaal to voice should executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward finally decide to call him in for a serious chat. Wenger, though, has no such excuse for his side’s latest limping title push.
With United, Manchester City and Chelsea all floundering to various degrees, this is one season in which Arsenal simply have to capitalise. And yet to date they have done almost everything in their powers to ensure any team but themselves will win the Premier League. Every time the door has seemed to open up for them, they have wandered aimlessly into a brick wall.
How has Wenger got away with it this long in a sport which has become increasingly cut-throat? Some call it refreshing for a club to stick by a manager, yet in reality they are allowing sentiment to rule ambition. There are those who claim he has been hit on the market by the move to the Emirates Stadium 10 years ago, but surely the extortionate season tickets in N5 have more than covered that now.
What about the argument that Wenger is managing the club at a profit and foregoing a real title push by penny-pinching? Just what a Gooner wants to hear every time they fork out over £1,000 for a season ticket: You’re money is going to go on making a rich club richer rather than on enhancing the product you pay to watch each week.
It is high time Wenger was judged on modern standards. His two major trophies in the last decade came thanks to FA Cup final wins in 2014 against Hull City, who were destined for relegation 12 months later, and last year Aston Villa who, barring a miracle, are heading the same way.
While two years ago any type of silverware would have been taken as a step forward, there can be no more hiding the Frenchman’s failures if Arsenal do not win the title in the most open and arguably low-quality Premier League race in years. If they can't take advantage this year, then what are they waiting for?
READ MORE | MOURINHO RUMOURS AN 'ABSOLUTE SCANDAL'
In the run-in in 1998 there was a real ruthlessness about Arsenal’s play as they strung win after win together, and the same was true of 2002. Two years later, there was no let up from the first day of the season to the last as they won the league without losing a single game. So why has ruthlessness become a dirty word around Islington?
Jose Mourinho was sacked seven months after a Premier League win because he wasn’t getting the best out of his Chelsea players. Manuel Pellegrini’s days were numbered at City the second he failed to win last season’s league crown. Other clubs have shown a ruthless edge, but where is Arsenal’s?
If Arsenal’s players don’t show a killer instinct between now and May they will throw away their best chance in 12 years to win the league title. And if it is to be failure once more for the red side of north London, then surely it will be time to put Wenger out to pasture.
Louis van Gaal and the rest of the Premier League’s manager are being judged by modern-day targets, and now is the time for the same to be applied to Arsenal’s annual nearly man.
- Goal