Arsene Wenger insisted he remains a fan of Arsenal while providing his opinion on the current state of the squad.
Arsene Wenger and Sir Alex Ferguson enjoyed long careers at one club while entertaining the footballing world with their unmatched rivalry. While the legendary Manchester United boss had kept the club close to his heart and seen attending games frequently, Wenger has never set foot inside the Emirates since his departure in 2018.
The Frenchman has hardly spoken about the state of affairs in north London, as fans have endured a difficult period since the manager’s departure. Now working with FIFA, Wenger has immersed himself in footballing matters, maintaining a considerable distance from Arsenal.
The Gunners, meanwhile, had an interesting transfer window, signing at least six first-team players, as Mikel Arteta undertook a rebuild of the club’s squad. Takehiro Tomiyasu’s signing on deadline day was the final piece of incoming business done by the club. This success has failed to reflect on the playing field.
Arsenal have suffered their worst ever start to a Premier League season, losing their opening three games. Arteta’s men failed to score in each of those matches while conceding nine goals in the process. Naturally, questions have been raised over Arteta to lead the team into the future, and many have duly provided their critical assessment.
Arsene Wenger says Arsenal are in 'good shape' ? pic.twitter.com/RnAPsKd3kL
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) September 3, 2021
Over the years, Wenger has somewhat managed to dodge most questions related to the club; he recently answered a few on Bild Live. The Metro posted quotes from what Wenger said during that session, as the legendary manager spoke about his affection towards Arsenal and the current state of the playing squad.
Wenger said, “Today, the club is in good shape. They had two tough games [against Chelsea and Manchester City], the team has potential, and I hope they can come back.”
Furthermore, Wenger downplayed the idea of him returning to Arsenal to aid their crisis, insisting on maintaining his distance for the time being.
Wenger commented, “I’m 71. I’ve given this club the best years of my life. At the moment, I’m just a fan.”
The transfers done by Arsenal could show results in the years to come, as these are all young players who are hungry for success. However, Arteta needs to take charge of the current state of affairs and work towards a quick fix over results in the Premier League. They could practically begin doing that when they face Norwich City after the international break.