When Nothing Remains
Arsène Wenger, culture and the value of a clean break
Arsène Wenger returned to the Emirates Stadium for the first time since leaving Arsenal in 2018 on Boxing Day, December 26, 2022.
Alex Ferguson was appointed as an ambassador for Manchester United after retiring as manager in 2013. He was relieved of that role in 2024.
In February, 2004, ground was broken to build Emirates Stadium, home of Arsenal Football Club. Reading the early reviews, much was written about how Arsenal had gained a shiny new home, but lost its soul. There may be some truth to that, but looking at the current Premier League table, I think Arsenal got more than a stadium started in 2004. They saved their culture-one built by Arsène Wenger.
With the advantage of hindsight, the through line regarding Wenger’s dedication to the club and his desire to leave the club in a good place when he left, is as remarkable an achievement as the titles won as a manager. And the contrast between his reign and Ferguson’s at Manchester United are now even starker. United are now under their sixth full-time manager since he left in 2013. There have been two managers, Unai Emery and Mikel Arteta, post Wenger. One club understood the long game and its manger paid a short-term (but still painful) price in terms of his reputation and honors. The other club played a short game, allowing an outlier scenario to playout under the protagonist’s terms, and not building for the future. That is not blame Alex Ferguson for all that has happened since he left, (see the Glazers, Woodward, etc.). but his remaining a figurehead while Wenger left stayed away for over 3 years (yes, with some bitterness) says a lot about the lack of any culture left behind. Keane, Scholes, Ferguson, et al.-when they left the club, they took the culture with them. It has never come back. The same can’t be said of Arsenal.
Today, when the Gunners complete a slick pass movement, the announcers will often note the players are expressing themselves-“playing Arsenal football.” What they really mean is they are playing, “Wenger football.” You can easily make an argument that his legacy at Arsenal will be equal and as lasting as Cruyff’s at Barcelona. That Arteta started at Barca and understands the value of legacy and culture should not be underestimated. Ferguson won the battle of titles-and yes, sport is about winning. But Wenger won the culture war. “I worked for this club when I had the experience and capacity to look at the bigger picture,” Wenger said in an interview after visiting his statue for the first time. “Many times I said I want to work and prepare this club to go even higher up after me, and I wish every day that happens now.
It’s clear by the moves Jim Ratcliffe has made that he understands all this and is working on an organizational rebuild that yes, also includes a new stadium. It will be a stadium that no doubt, will have both a statue and a stand named for Alex Ferguson. Will it reflect a renaissance of the glory years, or evoke one of the most famous lines from the Sopranos: “remember when is the lowest form of conversation.”
We will soon find out if Drucker’s famous quote, "culture eats strategy for breakfast,” is true.