A Bould Move for Wenger

Five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes
Five hundred twenty-five thousand moments so dear
Five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes
How do you measure, measure a year?

In daylights, in sunsets
In midnights, in cups of coffee
In inches, in miles, in laughter, in strife
In five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes
How do you measure, a year in the life?

–          Jonathan Larson ‘Rent’

If Tim Stillman can bring in obscure 80s hits to his columns, I will raise that by praising our departing Pat Rice with Broadway show tunes – Take that Tim!

Last week YAMA said our farewells early to Pat Rice, the stalwart at the side of Wenger for 16 years and part of the fabric of the club for 44 years now. On Thursday what we had all known was confirmed by the club as Arsene Wenger gave praise to Pat and introduced his new number 2 Steve Bould.

Of Pat Rice the boss had this to say:

‘He’s been tremendous,’ said Wenger. ‘It’s a sad, sad, sad day. His life was linked with Arsenal and Arsenal have been privileged to have him as a player, a captain, a coach. I’m privileged to have had him at my side.’

And with that door closing another one opens. As Pat Rice leaves Monday, unceremoniously, a transition will occur that many Gooners are hopeful leads helps add some additional needed change to the club.

Before we proceed no one should ever believe that change at number 2 or in the coaching staff mean that someone was doing anything wrong. On the contrary Pat was part of the major successes here and deserves praise for that but as things have become stale and change is wafting in the air. His retirement comes at a time when a change is needed.

That change is Steve Bould.

Bould as many papers have pointed out and more importantly Gooners know, was signed to Arsenal in 1988 Stoke (pre-prehistoric era) by George Graham and would a year later be part of that historical win at Anfield (which I saw) in 1989. He was here during the transition to Wenger in 1996 and was in as the double-winning side of ’98, that the Independent yesterday called Wenger’s most complete (I think they are right).

3 years later Bould would take over running the youth organization for the team and focusing on developing the talent of tomorrow to play in the Arsenal style. Many of the young players that are maturing into the first team now, like Gibbs, Wilshere and others all played for Bould. Gibbs paid particular praise to Bould crediting him with his development as defender.

Wenger was also keen to praise Steve and signal his continuity and history with the club:

“Steve’s qualities are that he has the experience of the top-level game, he has managed here, he knows our football philosophy and therefore there will be a continuity,” said Wenger.

Bould as I have read in this research might be the hard-as-nails version of Wenger. He is seen by many as a task master but is always available to his players. When you watch his interviews on Arsenal player you walk away with the perception that man is has ‘hard’ (stop it you sickos) now as he was as player.

Additionally, like Pat Rice he was a defender. But he was a defender in probably one of Arsenal’s greatest eras of defencive play. 1-nil to the Arsenal was a proud moniker we all wore and we wore it because of our defence, most articulated in George Graham’s and later Wenger’s back 4. Bould  it is hoped at least by fans can lend his vast experience in that area.

Arsenal are (obviously for all) beset still by defencive errors. And it may be that a new perspective back there is what Bould will bring to the table. True, the argument is out there that Wenger prefers to be in control will aspects of the style of play for the first team. But Bould strikes me as coach who wouldn’t have accepted this position if he was told to just sit there and nod his head.  Word is that this offer was made to Bould weeks ago and he has sat on it for a while. Surely, the process included a discussion about how much of a role he was going to have. I am also sure that somewhere it occurred to him that if he does his job well, he suddenly becomes one of the leading candidates for one of the hottest jobs in global football.

Assurances had to be given and taken that Bould is going to be allowed to help shape the team in some way – all under Wenger’s guidance of course.  And as we said, the hope is the impact is on the defencive play of the team. I know people won’t agree but I believe the makings of a pretty good back four with a confident keeper is there. Koscileny and Vermaelen along with Mertesacker in the back to represent a pretty good solid rotation in centreback. Bacary Sagna is the best RB in England second only to Phillip Lahm in Europe. And Gibbs should he actually stay healthy has shown signs of improvement that under the eyes of Bould again may flourish more.

Bould’s pedigree is known. And he has one both as a player (372 appearances for the Arsenal between 1988 and 1999, 3league titles, 2 FA Cups, 1 League Cup and the European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1994) and as the youth team manager ( 2009 Youth Cup and consecutive FA Academy Premier League titles.) In other words this a qualified candidate and some who comes with instant respect. And like Pat Rice comes with the continued linkage to the club.

It was this linkage to the club that made Arsene Wenger retain Pat Rice as his assistant:

 “It is important when you come from abroad to have an assistant who knows the culture of the club and the culture of the country. Pat knew Arsenal well and knew English football.”

Like Pat, Steve knows Arsenal well and knows English football. And while Wenger has been here 16 years its clear that his love of the club and respect for its heritage was a deciding factor in making this choice. There were other candidates we are told with both Tony Adams and Dennis Bergkamp getting good looks. However, for whatever reason the bridges that Tony is rebuilding (that may not be the best analogy but you get the point) with Wenger may not have been rebuilt fast enough) and Dennis well if he were a number 2 he’d have to travel – in Europe – which means flying. A no-no for DB10.  So it was Steve.

There are still going to be questions whether this a big enough move to offer some new direction and spice to the team that over the last few weeks has exhibited a need for a new perspective. Is Steve Bould’s taking this position just insuring that the ideas stay as they always were and possibly keeping things status quo.

There is that possibility of course. Steve undoubtedly knows what Wenger wants to do and is going to abide by that. So in that end it doesn’t strike me as a seismic shift. But as we stated above he is his own man and I don’t think as I said earlier he’d be here if he didn’t feel he had a role to play. So, in that case there is some bit of ‘newness’ about that.

Sure, I do wonder what would’ve happened if we’d looked outside the current coaching staff. Keeping ties to the club – beyond Dennis and Tony (for the reasons we cited earlier) – find an ex-player who comes from outside the current comforts of Colney (is that a new show on BBC4?), still has a links to the club but by coming in from outside maybe have a different perspective.  Or maybe someone who doesn’t have any link to the club who just has a different perspective. It worked for Wenger right?

Obviously the jury is out on how this will turn out. But you know what – it’s a good move. It’s a move that makes sense. It creates the least amount of disruption in a process that could be disruptive to a team (look at what Ray Wilkens’ removal did to Chelsea last season)and also at summer that so far is gearing up to highlight a team in a state of transition. The key then was to make sure this was seamless as possible and Bould here ticks off all the right boxes for ALL of this to happen.

I am particularly chuffed to see Steve with the first team from my very own first experience with Arsenal and remember someone who no nonsense, strong and so competitive. It was displays like his on that Anfield night that made me love Arsenal.

And oh by the way – (Sorry Banfield lovers) reserve team coach, Neil Banfield has also been promoted and will assume first team coaching duties. The vacancies left by Bould and Banfield will be filled internally (not sure what that means.)

Until next time we leave with a smattering of love for Pat (courtesy the big boys at Arsenal.com) –

Pat, unfortunately you are going and we will not see each other anymore on a daily basis. It is very sad, but I would just like to take this opportunity to thank you for having been a competent, loyal partner and a great fighter. We have done great things together, but I know that without you we would not have done them. Forever in my heart you will always be one of the great guys I have met in my life. Football allows that and hopefully you can come to Arsenal again and we will maybe share, not a great game, but a great glass of wine together. Have a good time.
Arsène Wenger

There are certain people who embody the club so perfectly that it’s impossible to know if the Club created them or if they created the Club. The moment I met him, I knew that Pat Rice was Arsenal and Arsenal was Pat Rice. In my mind, there is no higher compliment.
Ivan Gazidis

Pat, I wish you all the very best and thank you for everything you have done for this amazing Club. I will take you right back to when I was an amateur school teacher and you were there as this not-too-clever full back. We used to train on a Thursday evening and Charlie George was there and I don’t think you and I ever thought we would reach the heights we reached. We spent so much time on and off the field together, as well as with your lovely family. It has been a fantastic journey for you and for me and we all definitely owe it to Arsenal. I know you feel as much about this Club as I do. All the best to you and to Betty.
Bob Wilson

Pat, I just think it is absolutely amazing the service you have given this fantastic Club. Well done, enjoy your retirement and I’m sure you and Betty will have a super time – enjoy the south of Spain! From an Arsenal man, I just want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for the service that you have given this Club. Well done, and God bless.
Tony Adams

STAY GOONERISH!!