Nietzsche Knew Best ……
Arsene arrived at Arsenal in October 1996, under a blaze of overwhelming mockery.
Arsene Who?
The press did not know him, the fans did not know him and the players did not know him.
Tony Adams summed up the consensus:
“At first, I thought, what does this Frenchman know about football? He wears glasses and looks more like a schoolteacher. He is not going to be as good as George. Does he even speak English properly?”
However, Arsene came with a philosophy, summed in one statement:
“As a coach you can influence your players. You can point out what is wrong. Some are wrong because they are not strong enough to fight temptation and some are wrong because they do not know. As a coach I can teach the players what they do wrong without knowing it is wrong.”
Das, was ein Alter fühlt sich böse zu sein ist in der Regel ein vorzeitiges Widerhall dessen, was ehemals als gut – der Atavismus eines alten ideal.
‘That which an age feels to be evil is usually an untimely echo of what was formerly considered good – the atavism of an old ideal’
Wenger changed English football and the English football establishment followed suit.
Le Prof
Training –
Traditional English training sessions were, endurance tests, long winded sessions, pushing your body to the limit until you collapsed. Wenger’s sessions were shorter, sharper and programmed to the second. Attention to detail was everything, from the correct temperature on the team coach to the correct atmosphere in the training ground.
Diet –
Arsene’s regime on diet was born in Japan:
“The whole way of life there is linked to health. Their diet is basically boiled vegetables, fish and rice. No fat, no sugar. You notice when you live there that there are no fat people. I think in England you eat too much sugar and meat and not enough vegetables.”
Wenger moved the canteen from jam roly-poly and curries to vegetables and vitamin supplements. The players’ careers were extended and the rest of British football followed suit.
Vitamin Invincicle
Alcohol –
The culture of drinking was the core of team bonding, Tony Adams was the sheriff and Merse was his deputy.
Arsene did not ban the booze, but educated moderation.
Wengerball –
Over inflated fees and UK, passports do not guarantee success.
Arsene scoured the world for players for the right position at the right price.
“At Arsenal we don’t sign superstars, we make them”
When questioned by Vieira on why Arsenal did not sign any world class players, Wenger explained it perfectly: ‘You weren’t world class when Arsenal signed you’!
Arsene’s message on point:
“No team can be attractive and fantastic in every match, but my message to the fans is come here and be happy.”
However, 20 years is a long time in football and unfortunately football caught on and has taken the next step.
Was aus Liebe getan wird, geschieht immer Jenseits von Gut und Böse.
‘What is done out of love always takes place beyond good and evil.’
Many mock Wenger, claiming he is stubborn, selfish and arrogant. Yes, he has been, but everything Arsene has done has been done for love.
Love of football, love of a philosophy and most importantly, love for The Arsenal.
After all, he chose The Arsenal over his wife!
Wer mit Ungeheuern kämpft, mag zusehn, dass er nicht dabei zum Ungeheuer wird.
‘He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster.’
“You either die a hero or live long enough to see yourself become the villain”
Arsene, for you and for The Arsenal, you have done the right thing, now all Gooners must give him the send-off he deserves.
He has done many things wrong but he has done much right. So, please do not class him as the villain.
English by birth, Australian by choice. Traffic Engineer, Arsenal ST Holder, Sun DreamTeam Winner, Writer on @GunnersTown, Depeche Mode, Welcome to my world…
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