Charlie Nicholas has called upon Arsene Wenger to clarify his future, immediately, whatever this may be?
It was only a ‘matter of time’ before this woeful period Arsenal are going through was going to happen – not that Nicholas expect it to be so soon, the decline to be so rapid too. The continued uncertainty surrounding Wenger isn’t helping but if he’s not going to reveal his future plans someone within the clubs’ hierarchy needs to do so.
Nicholas told Sky Sports: ‘Arsenal is a community club. Now it has to face the music and say this is the worst period, and that it was probably a matter of time before it was going to happen. Unfortunately it has happened so quickly that people don’t have a response. The football club must respond. Arsene must respond. And if he doesn’t someone must on his behalf.’
Despite the repeated promise from Wenger he would reveal his decision ‘soon’ and claims he makes about his own future, that of several players too, not hindering Arsenal’s performance on the pitch, it has – enormously for Nicholas:
‘We have no leadership at the top end. Arsene controls the footballing situation, he says he would tell us [his decision] ‘soon’ and that it doesn’t affect the team. I’m sorry Arsene, I love you, you’ve been absolutely sensational, but it’s affected the game and the team enormously.’
He’s not ‘chasing’ Wenger out of the club but his passionate plea saw Nicholas continue to implore the Frenchman to give clarity on his position:
‘I’m not chasing Arsene out the door. All I’m saying is, Arsene – make your announcement. Everybody needs clarity. Arsene please, come out and give clarity on the situation. A bit of openness and honesty back to the Arsenal fans. We need to know the answer, we need to know it now. It needs clarity. All we’re asking is for you tell us.’
Wenger has the chance to see, what could potentially be his final games at Arsenal, celebrated if he makes an announcement – assuming this would result in his exit? The ill-feeling towards the Arsenal boss, which Nicholas – a Gunner from 1983-1988 – doesn’t like to see, will continue to grow if things don’t change.
Waiting in hope, it couldn’t be said expectation, an FA Cup win will be secured over Manchester City to ‘pacify the crowd’ isn’t something Wenger can do.
Nicholas concluded: ‘You can’t wait on a win – for Man City in the FA Cup semi-final and hope you win and that it will pacify the crowd. The crowd at Crystal Palace were telling you what they feel. It’s growing now. If you’re going to leave, we want you to leave with humility, and the gratitude that we’d like to show to you is festering now. I hate to see the man in such pain.’
Will Wenger take notice of the pleas from Nicholas? History tends to suggest he isn’t going to do so as the Gunners boss very much does things his way doesn’t he?
