After all the banners, protests and ArsenalFan TV meltdowns, Arsene Wenger stayed put.
Over recent seasons, there’s been a growing feeling amongst some Arsenal supporters that the club simply hasn’t been progressing under the Frenchman. While they might have ended the season with their third FA Cup in four seasons, many of the club’s supporters expected him to be replaced as manager after he failed to secure Champions League qualification for the first time in his 21-year stint in North London.
This didn’t happen. Instead, Wenger penned a two-year deal to remain at The Emirates.
Now, with Arsenal not set to play any meaningful football until August, some of the Wenger Out brigade have found another reason to take a swipe at the manager.
It comes thanks to Serge Gnabry, the man pictured below.
Gnabry, 21, was on Arsenal’s books for four years as a youngster. His chances in the first team were limited, and after an unsuccessful loan spell at West Bromwich Albion in 2015/16, the Stuttgart-born winger was allowed to return to his native Germany. Although Wenger wanted to extend Gnabry’s contract at The Emirates, he signed for Werder Bremen last summer.
Now, not even a year on from his move back to Germany, he’s on the move again – this time to the country’s most successful club.
🔴⚪ Willkommen beim #FCBayern, @SergeGnabry! #MiaSanMia pic.twitter.com/d1Ipaiysj4
— FC Bayern München (@FCBayern) June 11, 2017
Yep, after activating a release clause in his contract at Werder Bremen, Gnabry’s now been signed by German champions, Bayern Munich – the team that dumped Arsenal out of last season’s Champions League.
Now, conveniently overlooking the fact that Gnabry wanted to move back to Germany, many have greeted news of his move to one of the biggest clubs on the continent by criticising Wenger.
https://twitter.com/Roodz_1213/status/873893067132198914
https://twitter.com/oliskyz/status/873902114136784896
Serge Gnabry is just another talent that was degrading under Wenger. Glad he goes to Bayern.
— Orkhan (@OrikAFC) June 11, 2017
https://twitter.com/mhmdzhl/status/873912146500898817
i always knew letting gnabry go was going to be a mistake
— Bonn 🇮🇪 🏕 (@supernova4ever1) June 11, 2017
Wenger is clueless, gnabry wasnt good enough for us apparently yet he's now at bayern. And we've got walcott ffs
— Chef Curry (@MattyLouthAFC) June 11, 2017
Imagine keeping Sanago and letting Gnabry go
Wenger knows best 😆😆— Teta (@Asinvenger) June 11, 2017
Still, not every Arsenal fan was angry at the news. In fact some were seeing it as a stroke of genius by their manager as he looked to prevent Bayern from making a move for Alexis Sanchez.
Wenger is a genius! Got rid of Gnabry a year ago knowing he'd end up at Bayern & Alexis would stay with us 👏
— Fenton 🅰️FC (@TheLankyGooner) June 11, 2017
Perhaps they’re right…
It's time… https://t.co/yfTq3F9sGu
— FootballJOE (@FootballJOE) June 10, 2017