
<p>Arsenal are reportedly ready to build a statue of Arsene Wenger at the Emirates Stadium. <em><a href="https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2022/12/27/arsene-wenger-statue-arsenal-ready-build-tribute-former-manager/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Telegraph</a></em> claims that while talks have been ongoing for years about the issue, the Gunners and Wenger have finally agreed to make the statue happen.</p>



<p>News of a potential statue comes after Wenger finally returned to his former home stadium. The Frenchman was seen in the crowd at <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/arsenal-extend-lead-at-the-top-after-stunning-second-half-comeback-20221226-WST-413488.html">Arsenal’s match against West Ham</a> on Monday. It was the first time that Wenger was inside the stadium for a game since he departed the club in 2018.</p>



<h2>Wenger would be proud of team’s performance</h2>



<p>Wenger returned at the right time. <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/arsenal-extend-lead-at-the-top-after-stunning-second-half-comeback-20221226-WST-413488.html">Arsenal dominated the Hammers</a> 3-1 on the night. Current coach Mikel Arteta responded to post-match questions about putting on a show for his former manager.</p>



<p>“Obviously, it’s great and winning means my mood is going to be much better to speak to him and be around the team,” <a href="https://www.arsenal.com/news/arteta-win-wenger-odegaard-and-transfers" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">said</a> Arteta. “So yeah, he picked the right moment. A really special day, because Boxing Day is a beautiful day to play football. And I thought the performance was at the level today that he deserves, and hopefully he will like.”</p>



<p>Arteta and former team chairman David Dein have both asked Wenger to return to catch a match for months. The former boss received a warm welcome by the fans and was even serenaded by the crowd with a song as well. Wenger even went down into the dressing room to meet with the players after the victory.</p>



<h2>Statue is just a matter of time for Wenger</h2>



<p>Wenger was always going to get a statue erected outside of the Emirates. After all, he was not only extremely successful during his time in north London, but he was also a major factor in the stadium being built.</p>



<p>The manager will join current statues of Herbert Chapman, Thierry Henry, Tony Adams, and Dennis Bergkamp at the arena. Exact plans on timing are not yet confirmed. However, there has been a suggestion that Wenger’s statue could be completed as early as next year.</p>



<p><em>Photo credit: Imago/PA Images</em></p>


Arsenal will finally build a statue of legendary manager Arsene Wenger outside of Emirates Stadium in north London.

Arsenal to erect Arsene Wenger statue at Emirates Stadium - World Soccer Talk

Arsenal to erect Arsene Wenger statue at Emirates Stadium


<p>Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has claimed that Germany’s political demonstrations <a href="https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/germany-world-cup-2022-arsene-wenger-b1044688.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">played a part</a> on their shocking group stage exit in the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/category/world-cup-2022/">World Cup. </a></p>



<p>Wenger who is FIFA’s Chief of Football Development admitted that the countries who focused on football and stayed away from off field matters have done well in the tournament so far.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Arsene Wenger says teams who avoided political demonstrations played better at the World Cup this year. &nbsp; <a href="https://t.co/epg7yoZW9w">pic.twitter.com/epg7yoZW9w</a></p>— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) <a href="https://twitter.com/eurofootcom/status/1599380770820587520?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 4, 2022</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



<p>This was Germany’s second successive group stage exit in the World Cup reminiscent of their poor display from Russia four years back.</p>



<p>Before their first game against Japan, the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/germany-players-cover-their-mouths-in-fifa-world-cup-protest-20221123-WST-409642.html">German players covered their mouths </a>during the team photo as a mark of protest over FIFA’s ban on the One Love armband.</p>



<p>Germany were one of the several European sides who had planned to wear the rainbow armband in a show of support for the LGBTQ+ community in Qatar where same-sex relationships are outlawed and homosexuality is punishable by death.</p>



<h5><strong>Wenger backs England</strong></h5>



<p>Wenger who was speaking in Doha alongside former USMNT head coach Jurgen Klinsmann said, “You know when you go to a World Cup, you know you can’t lose the first game. </p>



<p>The teams who have the experience to perform in tournaments like France and England played well in the first game. The teams who were mentally ready, with a mindset to focus on competition, and not the political demonstrations.”</p>



<h5>England Need To Focus</h5>



<p>Wenger also claimed that England were affected by the off-field issues leading to their disappointing 0-0 draw against the USMNT but has backed Gareth Southgate’s side to make a deep run in the tournament. </p>



<p>The 73-year-old Frenchman said, “England were absolutely outstanding in the first game, they struggled in the second game against the States and then they have back when needed to give a convincing performance against Wales.”</p>



<p>He continued, “England has learned a lot. They have been in the last four of the World Cup, the last two of the Euros. Compared to Belgium, which is past the peak, England looks to be a team that is now at the peak to deliver.</p>



<p>Wenger added that Southgate has learned from his experience and is capable to deliver to deliver in the biggest of stages. “He is like the team. He has learned from the World Cup and the European Championship, and he is now in a good situation to deliver. If all goes as planned, the two favorites of England and France might meet.”</p>



<p><em>Photo credit: IMAGO / Nordphoto</em></p>



<div style="background:#f9e4ea;padding:10px;">
<h3>Guide to World Cup 2022</h3>
<div style="padding:10px;">
Here are some resources to help you get the most out of the biggest event in soccer!
</div>
<div style="padding:10px;">
<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/world-cup-tv-schedule/"><strong>TV Schedule:</strong></a> All the info on <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/world-cup-tv-schedule/">where and when to watch</a> every game
</div><div style="padding:10px;">
<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2022/04/04/analysis-of-world-cup-groups/"><strong>The Groups:</strong></a> We <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2022/04/04/analysis-of-world-cup-groups/">breakdown each group</a> and all the teams
</div><div style="padding:10px;">
<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/world-cup-jerseys-for-qatar-2022/"><strong>The Kits:</strong></a> Check out <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/world-cup-jerseys-for-qatar-2022/">what every team will be wearing</a> on the field this fall
</div><div style="padding:10px;">
<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/predictor/"><strong>Predictor:</strong></a> Play out every scenario with our <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/predictor/">World Cup Predictor</a>
</div><div style="padding:10px;">
<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2022/04/05/world-cup-bracket-free-download/"><strong>World Cup Bracket:</strong></a> Map out the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2022/04/05/world-cup-bracket-free-download/">entire tournament</a>, from the groups to the final
</div><div style="padding:10px;">
<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/category/world-cup-2022/"><strong>World Cup Hub:</strong></a> Your one stop for <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/category/world-cup-2022/">everything Qatar 2022</a>
</div>
</div>


Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has claimed that political demonstrations played a part in Germany's shocking World Cup group stage exit

Wenger blames Germany World Cup exit on political protests - World Soccer Talk

Wenger blames Germany World Cup exit on political protests

<div><figure class="image"></figure></div>
<p>In the latest installment of World Soccer Talk’s newest video series, we discuss plans for a biennial World Cup.</p>
<p>As things stand, the World Cup takes place every four years. After all, it started out that way dating back to the <a href="https://www.myfootballfacts.com/fifa-world-cup/fifa-all-time-world-cup/fifa-world-cup-final-matches/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">original competition in 1930</a>. However, as many passionate soccer fans know, FIFA President Gianni Infantino continues to push plans of making the competition more frequent.</p>
<p>In a recent press release and ensuing conference, Infantino and <span>Arsène Wenger, who now serves as FIFA’s Chief of Global Football Development, presented results of the institution’s research into the feasibility of a biennial World Cup.&nbsp;</span></p>
<p>Generally speaking, the findings were positive. In fact, FIFA reported that the consensus of those answering surveys are in favor of a World Cup every two years.</p>
<p>The driving force for FIFA seems to be money. In the press conference, Infantino mentioned the potential financial benefit would generate an additional <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/2021/12/20/fifa-seeks-to-woo-member-federations-with-big-windfalls-for-biennial-world-cups/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">$4.4 billion in revenue</a>. Much of that would eventually trickle its way down to smaller member nations. The end goal, at least according to Wenger and Infantino, is to provide more <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/2021/12/20/fifa-promises-new-funds-for-member-federations-under-biennial-world-cup-plan/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">opportunity to the nations</a> that may not have it. After all, in the 22 World Cups in history, only eight individual nations can say it lifted the famous trophy.</p>
<h3>Breaking down the biennial World Cup</h3>
<p>In this brief video, World Soccer Talk’s Kyle Fansler hosts a chat between Kartik Krishnaiyer and Simon Evans. Evans, the soccer correspondent for Reuters, tracked the development of the biennial World Cup over recent years. This is particularly true since Infantino’s ascension to the Presidency of FIFA.</p>
<p>Krishnaiyer and Evans talk about what went down at the summit from FIFA. There, FIFA presented the findings of the feasibility studies. Also, the pair discuss benefits for FIFA outside of monetary gain. Similarly, the possible consequences for international federations. As many know, CONMEBOL and UEFA recently announced their intentions to go hand-in-hand on a joint Nations League spanning the Atlantic Ocean. Of course, that plan goes against the aims of FIFA’s biennial World Cup.</p>
<div class="ck-youtube"><iframe loading="lazy" title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DnbIBHfGSss" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></div>
<p>Be sure to check out <a href="https://twitter.com/sgevans" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Simon Evans’s Twitter account</a> and his <a href="https://www.reuters.com/journalists/simon-evans" target="_blank" rel="noopener">stories for Reuters</a>. <a href="https://twitter.com/kkfla737" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kartik Krishnaiyer</a> appears on the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/podcasts/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">World Soccer Talk Podcast</a>, which releases a new episode almost each week to discuss broadcasting news and noteworthy events throughout the sport.</p>


In the newest episode of a WST video series, Kartik Krishnaiyer and guest Simon Evans discuss FIFA's plans for a biennial World Cup.

Breaking down a potential biennial World Cup with Simon Evans - World Soccer Talk

Breaking down a potential biennial World Cup with Simon Evans

There is a trend clubs follow. They hire former players as managers to bring back a certain vigor and reminder of success. How do they fare?

Gauging the success of former players as managers - World Soccer Talk

Gauging the success of former players as managers

<div><figure class="image"></figure></div>
<p>Arsenal Football Club is a traditional “Big Six” team. They join the ranks of Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham. These clubs are the biggest clubs in England, mostly based on popularity.</p>
<p>However, Arsenal is missing a certain attribute those clubs share. For those clubs, title contention in the Premier League is the goal. Champions League qualification is the expectation.</p>
<p>These merits applied to the club not long ago. For <a href="https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/history/clubs/52280--arsenal/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">19 straight seasons</a>, the Gunners qualified for the UEFA Champions League. Only twice in those 19 seasons did the team from the Emirates fail to make it out of their group in the competition.</p>
<p>Now, the Arsenal Football Club that <span>Arsène&nbsp;</span>Wenger and Thierry Henry developed is almost unrecognizable. Despite spending third-most on transfers among Premier League clubs over the last five years, the club sits outside the realm of competing for a Premier League title.</p>
<div class="ckeditor-em"><iframe loading="lazy" width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/229182541&amp;color=%23ff5500&amp;auto_play=false&amp;hide_related=false&amp;show_comments=true&amp;show_user=true&amp;show_reposts=false&amp;show_teaser=true"></iframe></div>
<div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/worldsoccertalk" title="World Soccer Talk Podcast" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener">World Soccer Talk Podcast</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/worldsoccertalk/interview-with-arseblogs-andrew-mangan-about-arsenal" title="Interview with ArseBlog&apos;s Andrew Mangan about Arsenal" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener">Interview with ArseBlog&apos;s Andrew Mangan about Arsenal</a></div>
<p>In 2021/22, pundits claim Arsenal have a slight chance to rebuild. There is no European competition, the squad is young and recent signings show some promise.</p>
<p>Still, Arsenal sits behind the pace. Other clubs in the big six continue to bring in high-quality talents. All the same, those clubs continue to compete domestically and in Europe. Meanwhile, after two games in 2021/22, Arsenal picked up no points with their next game coming against Manchester City.</p>
<p>Bad luck with COVID-19 never helps, but the club’s issues run deeper than that. Without fixing these problems, the prestige and power of Arsenal Football Club is at risk.</p>
<h3>Arsenal Football Club’s fall from grace</h3>
<p>Since winning the Premier League in 2003/04 as the Invincibles, the Gunners finished second twice. In 2004/05, Arsenal finished <a href="https://www.transfermarkt.us/premier-league/startseite/wettbewerb/GB1/saison_id/2004" target="_blank" rel="noopener">12 points behind</a> Chelsea. Then, in 2015/16, Cinderella-story Leicester City finished <a href="https://www.transfermarkt.us/premier-league/startseite/wettbewerb/GB1/saison_id/2015" target="_blank" rel="noopener">10 points clear</a>.</p>
<p>Still, the consistent point of pride for Arsenal was their Champions League qualification. Under Wenger, players came in and wanted to play for the Gunners knowing Champions League football was nearly a guarantee. The other clubs experienced brief stints falling out of the Champions League spots, notably Liverpool and Manchester United.</p>
<p>Now, it seems to be Arsenal’s turn. Wenger left after the 2017/18 season. This is the first time in over 20 years without European competition.</p>
<p>Perhaps that is for the best? Maybe, Arsenal preoccupied itself by trying to compete in too many things without a solid base squad.</p>
<p>Executives will assure fans that the lack of European competition is bad. Yes, the monetary benefits of the Europa League or Champions League are gone.</p>
<p>Gone are the days of Thierry Henry, Patrick Vieira or Robin van Persie playing on Tuesday or Wednesday nights to raucous crowds at the Emirates.</p>
<div id="attachment_343033" style="width: 1034px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><div><figure class="image"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-343033" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-343033 size-full" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/WST_20210825_WST_342997_Arsene-Wenger.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=682" alt="Arsenal Football Club Manager Arsene Wenger" width="1024" height="682" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/08/Arsene-Wenger.jpg 1024w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/08/Arsene-Wenger-300x200.jpg 300w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/08/Arsene-Wenger-600x400.jpg 600w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/08/Arsene-Wenger-150x100.jpg 150w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/08/Arsene-Wenger-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure></div><p id="caption-attachment-343033" class="wp-caption-text">Arsene Wenger managed Arsenal to 19 consecutive years of Champions League action.</p></div>
<h3>Immediate Concern</h3>
<p>Everyone thinks the immediate solution to poor results exists in the transfer window.</p>
<p>Is the club struggling to score goals? Buy a striker.</p>
<p>Is the club conceding too many goals? Buy a defender.</p>
<p>Arsenal tried that. Over the last five years. Arsenal holds the third-largest transfer deficit. Arsenal spent <a href="https://www.transfermarkt.us/premier-league/fuenfjahresvergleich/wettbewerb/GB1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">almost $400 million</a> more than they sold over the last five years.</p>
<p>This includes the incoming transfers of the 2021 summer window. Arsenal Football Club holds the distinction of spending the most among Premier League this summer. Arsenal’s net spending this summer is about <a href="https://www.transfermarkt.us/fc-arsenal/transfers/verein/11" target="_blank" rel="noopener">$130 million</a>. Center-back Ben White, midfielder Martin Ødegaard and goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale highlight the arrivals.</p>
<p>It is just two weeks in, but most, especially in the Arsenal camp, expected at least one point out of their opening two games. A dismal performance to open the season at Brentford preceded a <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/2021/08/22/dominant-lukaku-bullies-arsenal-into-submission-for-chelsea/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">drubbing at the hands of Chelsea</a>. Nor is the grass greener on the other side, yet. Next up in the league is a trip to the Etihad to play Manchester City.</p>
<p>This is Arsenal’s worst start in 118 years to a season, and it will likely get worse before it gets better.</p>
<h3>Cause for optimism</h3>
<p>It may be hard to inspire Arsenal fans at the moment. However, take this as solace. Arsenal Football Club has the youngest squad in the Premier League this season.</p>
<p>All of Arsenal’s acquisitions this summer are under the age of 23. It is a squad built to develop. For example, many of the signings did not appear due to a <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/2021/08/20/arteta-surprised-arsenal-forced-to-play-through-covid-outbreak/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">COVID-19 outbreak</a>. Still, the average age of Arsenal’s starting XI was just over 24. Once the signings break through, their exposure to consistent minutes will allow them to develop.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/premier-league-tv-schedule/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em><strong>READ MORE:</strong></em></a><em> Schedule of Arsenal games on U.S. TV and streaming</em></p>
<p>Another reason to believe might be from Arteta’s run last year. Arsenal’s performance in the Europa League was not bad. In fact, some games even showed legitimate promise for the domestic side. While that never came, it provided the young players the chance to show what they can do.</p>
<p>Consistency has to be Arteta’s number one goal with the state of Arsenal Football Club. Victories against inferior teams in the league coupled with competitive games against the top teams would put Arsenal in good standing.</p>
<p>Yet, the message remains the same. If Arteta wanted certain players to compete, and he got them, Arsenal should be competing. Recent performances show that Arteta may be in over his head. Therefore, he must find successful form soon before the Arsenal faithful come knocking.</p>


Arsenal Football Club is one of the most storied teams in the Premier League. However, recent struggles draw attention to whether they are still top six.

ALL POSTS TAGGED "Arsene Wenger"

Arsenal

Arsenal to erect Arsene Wenger statue at Emirates Stadium

Arsene Wenger

Wenger blames Germany World Cup exit on political protests

FIFA

Breaking down a potential biennial World Cup with Simon Evans

Andrea Pirlo

Gauging the success of former players as managers

Arsenal

Arsenal fall out of contention after worst start in 118 years