Ex-players are varied in what they choose to do in their later life, or what they do after they hang up their boots. Some try and stay in the world of football, but others dabble their feet in other job markets. However, what they all have in common is that they have an opinion and they’re all still interested in the beautiful game.
These factors often lead to them making comments on current affairs. A hot talking point for ex-Arsenal players is Arsene Wenger and whether he should go after failing to win any trophies since 2005. The National have based their article around some quotes from Freddie Ljungberg, the former Gunners star, who has tasted success under Wenger. He stated, quite clearly, that Wenger is the right man for the job and that the criticism he receives is unfair.
Not just this season, but, since he last won a trophy.
I personally think that Ljungberg is correct. I know many will disagree with me and Freddie but it’s still a popular opinion amongst the Arsenal fans.
The retired football star insists that what Wenger has achieved in the last nine years should be applauded rather than criticised, and that’s correct. Not many managers would be able to keep a club in the Champions League and in the top four with a relatively small budget, because of the Emirates switch, and that can only be met with praise.
However, many fans haven’t embraced this accomplishment as they’ve constantly highlighted the fact that he keeps selling big players and doesn’t replace them. Francesc Fabregas, Samir Nasri, Alex Song, Emmanuel Adebayor and Robin van Persie.
Ljungberg suggests that this particular argument was put to bed when the North London club managed to sweet talk Mesut Ozil into joining their outfit. One of the best players on the planet and he signed for Arsenal, how’s that for a giant middle finger to the media?
He simply has to be respected for everything he has done for the club. I don’t think the people who want his head to roll really grasp what he has done.
You don’t know what you miss until it’s gone is a phrase I like to use when discussing Wenger.