Thierry Henry has questioned whether Arsene Wenger has the support of the Arsenal board and if he is capable of change if he stays on at the Emirates.
Chief executive Ivan Gazidis told a fans group prior to yesterday’s 2-2 draw with Manchester City that the last six weeks had been the ‘catalyst for change’.
It’s not clear what Gazidis meant by that comment.
‘First and foremost, we need to be careful how that came out and how it was said,’ Henry told Sky Sports. ‘The only guy who can actually clarify that and justify it is Ivan Gazidis himself. What did he mean by that?’
With Wenger yet to sign a new contract, Henry speculated that it could suggest the Arsenal manager doesn’t have the support of the board.
‘The thing for me is when you listen to Arsene he keeps saying recently that “I know what my future is”, “I know” and I repeat “I know”. Does he have the answer that he wants or he needs to have in order to announce it? Is the board communicating with him about his future?
‘That’s one of the things that I sense. I don’t know anything. I’m just going with what I hear. He says he knows, but he can’t say it. Can he not say it because he doesn’t know if he has the support of the board? He knows what he wants but he just can’t say it.’
Wenger is expected to stay on, so it’s possible Gazidis meant change in other ways – possibly in playing staff or other
alterations behind the scenes. But Henry isn’t sure if Wenger is the man to implement them.
‘Changes, changes – I don’t know if Arsene is going to want to accept that because he’s a loyal man. He’s been having those guys for a very long time whether you like it or you don’t. That is also something Ivan Gazidis is going to have to clarify.’
COMMENTS