Arsenal Argument: Beautiful Game More Important Than Trophies

Is Arsene Wenger trapped between a rock and a hard place? If the quotes attributed to Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis are true then it looks that way.

"Second, third or fourth isn't good enough," the 45-year-old South African was quoted as saying in The Daily Star Sunday. "We want to win something this season and we believe we have the squad to do that."

In a slow news week for domestic football – because of World Cup fixtures – this reads rather like an executive trying to assert himself by identifying with 'the fans'.

Another Gazidis quote said: "We've spoken about the group's potential. Now, and by now I mean this season, it's very important for us to focus strongly on winning something for the fans. They deserve it.

"We can talk about football as a business but fundamentally this club exists for the fans and they don't care about financial reports, they care about what happens on the pitch."

The context of the quotes is unknown, but something jars. 

There is nobody at Arsenal more dedicated to winning a trophy than Arsene Wenger and nobody more acutely aware that it has been more than four years since the club last did so.

But Gazidis has missed the point. The Arsenal board of directors, the club's supporters, most of their ex-players and nearly all neutrals who follow the English Premier League have all been overwhelmed by the quality of the team's football not only this season, but for several years – a seat at the Emirates is currently the hottest ticket in town.

I suspect only a minority of those who follow this modern, free-scoring Arsenal team want to see trophies at the expense of quality and style. Like Real Madrid, Barcelona and to some degree Manchester United, Arsenal are in the glory game; or as Gazidis may prefer to see it, the glory business. And that is all thanks to Wenger who has transformed the club, its image and its status.

It is the players who suffer most when a director begins to set targets.

So, a question: is there something wrong with the way Arsenal play? And why add needless extra pressure when you are already aiming to be the best?

Many pundits have pointed to the departure of former captain Patrick Vieira as the reason for the club's perceived decline.

That is daft, absolutely.

Vieira was 29 and coming to the end of that stage of his career when his physical prowess permitted him to dominate games from midfield. He lasted only one season at Juventus and has made no real impact at Internazionale since. At 33, he is no longer a force.

And it was in 2005 that Chelsea won their first Premier League title, raising the level of the game in England at a time when Arsenal were in transition.

It was the end of an era for Arsenal. And it was the start of something new, too.

Wenger has responded to the challenges he faced then by spending sensibly and assembling a young, skilful squad. He also played a key part in the building of the impressive new Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal attract the biggest average crowds in London, play the most entertaining football and have the potential to contest all the major honours at the highest levels.

The rest is down to luck: injuries, referees' decisions and other acts of fate.

Ultimately, it is more important to play wonderful football than anything else. The modern fan knows that.

If Arsenal begin to play cynical football, it is difficult to believe they would remain as popular as they are now.

First, play the best football, please. Do not betray the glory game. And then, all in good time, the best team will win the trophies…