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Saturday 27 July 2013

Suarez, Wenger and principles


Arsenal's motto is Victoria Concordia Crescit, or Victory Through Harmony, a term enshrined within the club's heritage, the origins of which can be traced back to 1913.

Arsene Wenger has, by and large, abided by this throughout his seventeen-year tenure at Arsenal, ensuring those who represent the club - himself, staff, players etc - do so in a commendable, respectful manner. He is known to scrutinise the personality of a player before making a signing, analysing the effect they may have in the dressing room and judging if they are fit to represent the red and white of The Arsenal. It is clear we go about our business in a different way to those around us. Wenger's values have been fundamental to this. History. Class. Tradition. These are words associated with Arsenal Football Club. But what does the genuine interest in Luis Suarez tell us about Wenger's principles, or loss of?

Perhaps it is somewhat fitting that as Victoria Concordia Crescit has disappeared, being replaced by 'Forward' to mark the 125th anniversary of Arsenal's existence, so too has Wenger's principles. Perhaps, in order to go forward, as the new, shallow platitude on our crest suggests, we must abandon the values ingrained in the club's history that were built around our Latin motto. And what better way to do this than signing the serial cheat, racist and all-round detestable human being that is Luis Suarez?

There is, of course, no doubting his talent as a footballer; I'd be lying if I said one part of me would not love to see him play for Arsenal. Who knows, it may transpire that we sign him, he scores 25 goals this season, helps us win a trophy and stays free of controversy. This line of speculation is unlikely in more than one way, however!

There is an argument supporting his signature based around the fact we signed Robin van Persie as a volatile youngster with serious discipline problems, and transformed him into a top professional who managed to subdue his petulant tendencies. However there are several discrepancies with this comparison. Firstly, van Persie cost little over £2 million. There was little risk in financial terms if this investment backfired. Suarez, on the other hand, will cost closer to £50 million. The cost-risk ratio is thus much less appealing. In other words, a significant amount of money will be wasted if Suarez gets injured or fails to reverse his undesirable streak. Secondly, we signed van Persie as a 21 year old. At this age you are still developing as a person and a footballer. With time and effort, one's personality can be changed for the better. Suarez, however, is closer to 27. How much time in football terms has he got left to change? Is he arguably past the age where one's natural tendencies can be altered? This is all speculation. What I will say, however, is that I strongly believe Wenger will only sign Suarez if he genuinely thinks he can reform him.

Some may also say that every high calibre player has an edge; we've seen it with Dennis Bergkamp to highlight a notable example. But Suarez unfortunately carries a bit more than an edge; something more unsavoury, an inability to control himself in the heat of the moment. I won't bore you with a list of his misdoings - you've seen it all before.

But by at least attempting to sign Suarez are we, Arsenal Football Club, condoning racism, cheating and violence? These are questions that must be asked, no matter what your outlook is. Is it worth the hassle of another potential race-row, only this time with Suarez as an Arsenal player?

My worry is the divisions the signing of Suarez may create. Already, I know one black Arsenal fan who travels home and away to watch the team, who has vowed not to go again for as long as Suarez is an Arsenal player. A stance somewhat drastic in my view - but pertinent nonetheless. Of course, this is all hypothetical, as the player is yet to sign, but I do wonder what the effects would be in the stands as well as the dressing room if Suarez were to sign and controversy followed suit.

I have to say I am surprised by Wenger's interest in the Uruguayan, but a part of me is also excited. While on one hand it seems the boss is conceding to the pressure he is under and abandoning his principles, perhaps going for Suarez is just a necessary compromise at a challenging time in his managerial career. While it would go some way in fulfilling the club's new motto, one has to wonder if he is worth the money and the hassle, when there are high calibre strikers such as Higuain and Soldado seemingly available at the right price this summer.  I'll leave you with one image, and you can make your own minds up about Suarez and Arsenal.

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8 comments:

  1. At first I was worried at Wenger's utterance We have a threadbare squad. A couple of injuries and game set and match to the Spuds. Then I realised Wenger is a genius. CHAMAKH!!! He has Only seemed useless. It's been an act. As soon as we get an injury to Giroud our secret weapon will be uncovered. Then if Chamakh gets injured. BENDTNER. It all falls into place now. Wenger saves us £70, 000, 000. He only then takes a rise of £3, 000, 000 a year to earn £10, 000, 000 a year, and saves us a billion quid. CHAMAKH and BENTNER are actually top, top world class players. We were all wrong in thinking they were crap because we are not football managers and we don't understand. Wenger you are a genius.

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    1. what has your comment got to do with the article, steve?

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  2. LFC supporter here... I hope you lot sign Suarez. Love the man's footballing skills.. it's just what he does without the ball (both on and off the field that I can't stand). For the right price (40 or 50, depending on what actually exists or not in the contract), you can have him.

    There's a section of your club's supporters who say they will prefer that scum of person as long as he bangs in the goals and helps you win. Fine... but be prepared for the anguish he causes you off the field.

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  3. You may think I'm wrapped in a cocoon of denial but there is a part of me that feels we are not interested in Suarez. But you'd say, ''...we made a bid''. Yes, we did. Confirmed by LFC owner himself, but what do you make of adding just £1 to the second bid? Tipping it over £40M or taking the piss? Excuse my naivety on transfer issues but don't you find this 'New Arsenal' curious? We may have signed new sponsorship deals but a 40m on a player who, for all his abilities, is no-Messi and going by Wenger's past player evaluation doesn't quite fit to me. And on the principle bit, well, look at our current squad, the Pers and Santis are no saints but they are Suraez either. IMO, the Suarez pursuit is an attention-diverting scheme to buy another player, Rooney perhaps. Cmon! You didn't think we were signing Monreal, did you? Maybe I just don't want Suarez at Arsenal, maybe I'm right. Maybe I'm an ITK! *smiles*

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    1. I think what you are saying is possible, perhaps he is just a smokescreen.

      Not sure why Cazorla or Mertesacker in your view show a lack of principle on Wenger's behalf? They seem like model professionals & portray themselves in a respectable manner.

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  4. History Class Tradition???? That's hilarious. Vieira spitting, Adams drink driving, Keown at Old Trafford, Fabregas attacking Mark Hughes, Wenger's stream of lies to his own fans, Henry's diving, Bergkamp's elbows and or course Wenger's myopia. If it wasn't for the fact that everyone knows Arsenal fans are deluded I'd have assumed this site was a wind up.

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    1. Passions run high. It's naive to think a club over a 17 year period under Wenger would be without incident. I mentioned Bergkamp's edge in the article. Henry was guilty of diving, but so too are the majority of players in the modern game. But on the whole those representing AFC have done so in line with the club's core values.

      And there is no doubting the illustrious history and tradition of this club, unless you're a bitter Spud. 13 league titles and 10 FA Cups do the talking.

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  5. Have you heard " LIVERPOOLFC are in the process of being bought out by AMICO OIL who are GAZZILLIONAIRES lol arsenal are going to be are FEEDER CLUB ;-) Enjoy your Champions League campaign,because after this season your truely screwed lol

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