Arsenal, between philosophy and success

125 years of history are to live better and worse times. Arsenal do not have the track record and the legend of Manchester United or Liverpool, and two European Cups with Nottingham Forest or this millionaire Chelsea or Manchester City. However, it is one of the greats of the Premier, but there is always something wrong. In football there are so ingrained topics that are sometimes confused with irrefutable truths. In one of them lives in north London club as the team plays well without resources made up football kids who have just started on this. Although the titles do not come since 2005, Wenger is based on his philosophy as a way to step out. A budget, too inexperience to think about larger goals. A perfect shield for not finishing to shore artillery.

They have never had the means of those who enjoyed other, but you can not say that Arsenal have been a small club. Gone are the thirties where it ceased to be The Arsenal to become the best Arsenal and England team when they won five leagues. Also the difficult postwar revival of 1970 or when they conquered the league, cup and its first European title with the Fairs Cup. But not so long ago, the team coached by George Graham and led by Seaman, Merson, Adams and Smith won the league in 1989 and 1991, confirming the momentum of the club with the conquest of the second European title thanks to the Cup Winners Cup in 1994, and striker Ian Wright in their ranks. Europe was the last braid.

After a transition period in which they arrived at another Cup Winners' Cup final loss against Zaragoza with Houston Stewart on the bench, Wenger came to the bench after his big role gunner in Monaco and the Japanese experience. French bread arrived with a low arm, for only a year later won the league and cup double. It worked the club mix of veterans like Adams, Keown, Dixon and Winterburn with the players who came with Arsène Gauls like Vieira, Petit and Anelka as well as the Dutch Overmars and Bergkamp. After a period of drought and a runner-up in the UEFA , Where they lost to Galatasaray, they returned with the double success of 2002, with Henry as a leader and the luxury side Pires or Ljungberg. Two years later he again won the league with a great football as well as build two more drinks and reach the Champions League final when they lost to Barcelona.

It was definitely a big step for Arsenal, but the gradual leakage of its stars was supplemented with young players but they were pointed ways of the previous level. The club then encyst in the current philosophy of signing young, give patience project and not raise the claims. The construction of the stadium that would supply the legendary Highbury also forced to cut spending. Wenger felt comfortable with the project, how could he be? The club supported him without demanding titles, the fans loved him for past successes and had leeway to complete the template with their young men. All very attractive at first glance, but when it came to the truth it was others who were taking the glory.

Arsenal do not have the economic boost that can be Chelsea or City thanks to its investors, but says he has no resources is truthfully. Not long ago we saw in the Football Notes television revenue table for two seasons ago, and it can be seen that Arsenal has a good piece of cake. He charged six million less than Manchester United, but Atletico, Valencia, Villarreal and Sevilla in Spain and almost double what entered Bayern Munich in Germany.

Compared to Arsenal with United, the difference is that Wenger has managed to make stars of young players like Cesc and Walcott, while Ferguson has managed to sign at the right time to pop the likes of Rooney, Tevez and Cristiano Ronaldo to make them a team champion. While Manchester won, the Arsenal was content to stay hung up and have the tag team young and attractive. This does not mean that no money is spent on the road because players like Nasri or Arshavin were not cheap. Even the Spanish Liverpool won the Champions League final and played another without big stars in his eleven except Gerrard, man club.

The march this summer Cesc and Nasri was a blow for the team. Wenger decided in the last days of the transfer market for players to bet contrasting thus arrived at the club Mertesacker, Benayoun, André Santos and Arteta. When he saw the wolf ears, the Frenchman play it safe. After a bad start, the team has improved and scale gunner positions on the board, proof of this was the victory at Stamford Bridge. It also has the right track to pass the Champions League knockout. However, the titles now seem further than ever.

Photos | jl.cernadas | Ronnie Macdonald