Arsenal 08-09 Retrospective: An End-of-the-Season Review Part II

(Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

Arsenal's unsuccessful season was a result of a number of decisions—both internal and external—which led a considerable number of Arsenal fans disillusioned over the season.

Arsene Wenger has been criticized for a variety of reasons‚ ranging from team selection to a lack of ambition in the transfer market. While one can hold him accountable for the former, the latter is not something he chooses to do, despite what one have might heard from him in the past.

What was glaringly evident in this Arsenal squad at the beginning of the season was the lack of a genuine ball winner—someone who could impose on a game with his stature. From whatever one can read and saw today, the board simply did not back their manager.

This was something which myself and the co-community leader of the Arsenal community always felt, and I even echoed those sentiments during Arsenal's miserable slump in mid-season. 

So, what within the board or decisions made by them resulted in Arsenal's failures?

CEO - A Position Empty Since April 2007

When David Dein left Arsenal in April 2007, Arsene Wenger must have felt a huge amount of pressure. It is now well documented that the charismatic Englishman was a major negotiator and had the contacts in the footballing world. Whatever you might say about his character, he was instrumental in bringing players at Arsenal.

Who did the board bring in to replace such a big figure? Keith Edelman—a man known more for his number crunching abilities than negotiating prowess. This was supposedly a stop-gap arrangement until the board could find a suitable replacement. 

However, Edelman got sacked midway through his term as Ken Friar was swiftly assigned the role to negotiate transfers.

Here is where the debacle began which would have left Arsene Wenger furious.

Mathieu Flamini's contract, which was up for renewal, was not given the necessary priority as the Frenchman decided to leave Arsenal because he didn't feel valued by the club. The Arsenal manager then had to endure the frustration of not bringing in anyone substantial to replace Flamini and Gilberto as the board proved to be a stumbling block at every point.

So when did the position get filled by a proper CEO? ONE YEAR AND EIGHT MONTHS (including two summer, and one winter transfer windows) later as Arsenal announced that they had hired Ivan Gazidis, the former deputy commissioner of the Major League Soccer in the USA.

Arsenal's head hunters clearly seemed to replicate Seymour Price—Mike Ashley's investment bankers assigned to find the club new owners. And what's worse? Wenger had to take on a dual role of negotiating transfers and coaching players which made his job all the more stressful.

Transfers such as Harvard Nordveit's move to the Gunners in the summer of 2007 took precedence—Arsene Wenger then travelled to Norway to negotiate a youngster's deal.

The board were standing still all this while—letting their man do all the work and making all their profits.

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