Tanya Lee | Arsenal fans are the real MVPs

I was quite surprised this week to learn that Arsenal were finally getting rid of Arsene Wenger. That a club like Arsenal, with such a rich history in England, some of which is credit to Wenger himself many moons ago, held on for so long to their increasingly unremarkable manager, was for me inexplicable!

While Arsene has to be praised for his dedication to the club, and his organisational contributions to Arsenal's sustainable financial model, football is played on the pitch, not on a ledger. Credit to Wenger for steering Arsenal to three Premier League titles and an unbeaten run in the '03-'04 season in what was his golden age in football. But Arsene has lacked the tactical prowess and game adaptability that have seen other managers beat Arsenal to the Premier League title every single time over the last 15 seasons.

When Mourinho branded Wenger a specialist in failure some years ago, it was the insult heard across the globe. Though the low-blow comment was upsetting to Wenger and Arsenal fans, and though it was not entirely true, there was some truth there. Just for comparison, over the 15 years that Arsene and the Gunners were adrift of a convincing challenge in England or Europe, Mourinho had amassed over 20 pieces of silverware in England, Italy and Spain, inclusive of six league titles, one Champions League and one Europa League win.

But Arsenal fans are the real MVPs. They must be credited with showing unwavering support to their team, and manager, despite the lack of major silverware. They could possibly have the longest memories possible, because while it has been clear that they would never see their first Champions League or another Premier League title under Wenger, he had the unwavering support of many for quite some time after his golden era had passed. I suppose it's a testament to how great a job Wenger had done in the first eight years of his 22-year run. But don't let that distract you from the fact that Wenger subsequently went nine long seasons without adding one single trophy to the Arsenal cabinet.

Loyal Gunners'

For a club that has achieved such limited success over the past 15 seasons, it is still alarming to me that Arsenal are still a top-earning football club in the world, with broadcast revenues that exceed most. Arsenal's ticket prices are among the highest in all of Europe, but the seats at the Emirates are consistently full. During those matches, fans would have sat through numerous losses to the top teams in England or watched as the opposition got the better of them eventually, as Wenger has been known to blow many a lead in crucial matches. But rest assured, that just like Windies supporters, Arsenal will be back at the Emirate or in front of their screens, to watch another frustrating 90 minutes of football, which likely ends with them making excuses in the football chat groups.

Further testament to the Gunners' loyalty is Arsenal's gross revenues over the years. While they are a far cry from being a top 10 team on the football pitch, the club is sixth in global revenues. Deloitte's Football Money League, which charts the revenues of Europe's biggest football clubs, has listed Arsenal with €487.6 million in earnings in 2017, a club record for Arsenal.

Coincidentally, this record came in the same year that Wenger's squad won the FA Cup, but failed to qualify for the UEFA Champions League. The only two teams in English football with higher revenues than Arsenal are Manchester United, who has the strongest sports brand globally after Sir Alex's impressive 26 seasons and 38 titles, and Manchester City, whose recent commercial revenue growth is largely attributed to having a 'Pep (Guardiola) in their step'.

Presently, there are no confirmations as to where Wenger will go next or who will replace him at Arsenal, but as sure as the passing of time, one thing remains certain, Arsenal fans will be first in line to buy their tickets and sing their manager's praises in the next chapter. The big trophies may still elude them, but their books will likely be balanced and to many an Arsenal fan, that's, strangely, good enough. One Love.

- Tanya Lee is an international sports marketer and author.