Some physicists think that there might be an infinity of universes running parallel with ours. Let’s speculate what it might be like to be a Gooner in just one of these alternate realities.
An unknown Arsene Wenger signs for Arsenal. After some early controversy, he settles into the role. He quickly starts to recruit some quality players. Patrick Vieira is followed by Marc Overmars and Nicolas Anelka. The solid defence already at the club is built upon, adding to the mix a powerful and incisive counter attacking element to the team.
In his first full season in charge, Wenger and his new team takes everybody by surprise and picks up the double.
Sound familiar?
Then Nicolas Anelka, fancying himself as something of a footballing icon, pushes through a transfer away from the club – Arsenal make over £19 million in profit in one fell swoop. The board and Wenger think about how best to invest this money and decide that they should invest it all in players. Thierry Henry comes from Juventus, along with another attacking player from the continent.
But what about the redevelopment at of our training ground at London Colney? What about developing our academy and investing in youth?
A few players leave and more are brought in; Lauren, Campbell, Pires and Wiltord (just to name a few), and in 2002, Arsenal go on to win another double. Wenger is investing all his finances in new players and wages, the training ground and the youth academy is far down his list of priorities. All he wants to do is win trophies.
2003/04 brings about something special. The Arsenal team goes on an unprecedented unbeaten run spanning three seasons and lasting 49 games. Wenger has supplemented his team with new signings. He has spent a small fortune on a selection of highly impressive players, but he has also made some duff signings over the years (Franny Jeffers and Richard Wright just to name two).
Across London, Chelsea are seeing massive investment in their team. Arsenal are seemingly unbeatable at the moment, so nothing to worry about. As always Manchester United are spending lavishly on marquee signings and in doing so, are keeping toe to toe with the Gunners.
It doesn’t take long before Chelsea have assembled the most expensive squad in world football. They might not be the best, but they’re getting better all the time. Arsenal manage to win the FA Cup despite their aging squad getting battered by United in the final. Whilst Arsenal are doing this, Chelsea go and win the title, and in doing so, usher in a new era of billionaire led fantasy football.
Wenger didn’t win the double in his first season
He did it in his first full season!
Thomas Munson: I think you’ll find I wrote that he won it in his first full season. He started in 96/97, 97/98 was his first full season and that’s when he won the double.
Good read Mike!
Too many spoilt fans. Must have started supporting Arsenal during the Wenger years they forgot the club was mid-table for a couple of years before Wenger brought success back.
Wenger is a victim of his own success.
His transfers questioned. Sigh, while he makes mistakes in the market. He is pretty consistent in his transfer dealings. He rarely buy established stars. Those that are used to watching Vieira, Henry, Pires etc. Remember they were relatively unknown when he bought them and bought them cheap he did. He then polished them into stars. So don’t start questioning why he don’t buy stars cause through the successful years he achieved, he never did buy established stars.