Goodbye Philippe - Where did it all go wrong? at Gunnerblog

Goodbye Philippe - Where did it all go wrong?

324 guns August 26th, 2008

Philippe Senderos will today sign for AC Milan on a season-long loan deal with a view to a permanent move. Whilst I’ll be interested to see if Arsenal.com mention the possibility of a permanent move, it’s clear this isn’t a Havard Nordveit-style loan move for development’s sake - Philippe is being allowed to move on because Arsene considers him dispensible.

That in itself is somewhat of a watershed. Senderos is rare in that he’s one of the first of Wenger’s ‘projects’ to be abandoned. After years of investing time and money in the Swiss defender’s potential, he has now decided to let him go, seemingly preferring to rely on new signing Mikael Silvestre. For the first time in years, Arsene has chosen a veteran over a youngster. And that might not be such a bad thing. Firstly because it might suggest he recognises that his youth experiment has its limits, but secondly because Senderos could never have become the player we needed him to be at a club as lacking in experienced defensive experts as Arsenal.

Arsene Wenger is many things, but he is not a defensive coach. His interest is primarily in attacking or creative players. The great centre-backs he’s had (Adams, Keown, Campbell) have all been either bought or inherited. Kolo Toure is an astonishing athlete and outstanding footballer, but not a born defender. Senderos is. Like John Terry or Nemanja Vidic, it’s inconcievable that Senderos could play in any other position on the field. Wenger does not understand these creatures. They are foreign to him and to his way of thinking. And one has the impression that most of the coaching staff feel the same.

Defending is seen as a secondary art at Arsenal. Arsene was lucky to inherit the world’s best back four, and then to have a defensive phenomenon like Sol Campbell to carry him through the early part of the decade. But since Sol’s departure, the deficiencies in our coaching have become clear - we don’t have a cohesive defensive unit, and are clueless when it comes to set pieces.

For a time, it seemed like Senderos would be the solution to that problem. When Campbell was out injured in both 2005 and 2006, he came in and was outstanding, particularly in our record-breaking run to the Champions League final. Toure and Senderos was a defensive partnership that had a towering stopper and a quick recovering defender - it is the formula that made Adams/Keown and Campbell/Toure such successful pairings. What’s more, the proof was there - it worked, keeping out the likes of Juventus and Real Madrid.

But then Arsene bought William Gallas. And more than the arrival of Silvestre, more than the Champions League exit at Anfield, more than his travails against Didier Drogba, that is what did for Senderos’ Arsenal career. It tells you something about the esteem in which he was held at that point that many assumed Gallas had been bought to play at left-back and replace Ashley Cole.

Gallas is a good defender, and one can understand why Arsene wanted to bring in what he considered proven quality, but he’s hardly been an unequivocal success, has he? One can’t help but wonder what might have happened if Arsene had stuck with Senderos and Toure - not only might we have had a central defensive pairing that functioned, but we might have had a leader and organiser to boot. As it was, Senderos’ confidence was shattered by Wenger’s continually wavering faith, and he became the nervous wreck fans grew to doubt.

But I can’t help but feel that Senderos did not fail us. We failed him, by failing to have a structure in place that was able to his exploit his undoubted potential - just think back to his remarkable European debut at home to Bayern Munich. He is right to move. I now firmly believe he’ll go on to have a good career, starting with an immediate improvement in the slower-paced, defensively astute Italian league. We at Arsenal won’t benefit from that - if he does well, he’ll be staying there permanently, and if he doesn’t then we’ll get back a faltering player who knows the manager no longer values him. Senderos’ Arsenal career is over, whatever the nature of today’s transfer.

The loan apparently brings with it a £1.5m fee. More money into the ‘Save Our Midfield’ fund. Less than a week now, Arsene. We’re waiting.

UPDATE: This story says Gokhan Inler has extended his contract with Udinese. Translation available here. Not only is time running out, but options too.

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41 Comments Add your own

1. Alex | August 26th, 2008 at 2:17 am

Good article.I wish him luck!!He is one of true gunner unlike some.
2. bergkamp | August 26th, 2008 at 2:19 am

centre halfs dont really come of age till mid twenties at least , we let phil down big time by sticking with galas and kolo even though they been crap! an the save our midfield fund is actually non existent!
3. Duckster | August 26th, 2008 at 2:21 am

Are you for real? Senderos turned like a freight train, couldn’t win areial contests and was too slow.
Yes he may have been a born defender but so is Titus Bramble.

Arsenal failed him? He has been with the club for 6 years and has been given lots of opportunities but failed to deliver.
Senderos is a decent defender and a good leader but to say he will be missed as an outstanding player is way off the mark.
He got his chances but unfortunatly for him didn’t quite make it.

Wenger hasn’t got the luxury of time on his side as he once did.
He is under more pressure to deliver a trophy this season which
means sentiment will be left to one side. Song and Djourou have overtaken Senderos as 4th and 5th choice so he has to go.
4. Sniff | August 26th, 2008 at 2:29 am

Insightful post. Some hard realities of AW’s approach must be accepted.
5. Joe | August 26th, 2008 at 2:40 am

If Phil was the kind of player and leader that we were looking for he wouldn’t have been shattered by AW bringing in Gallas, he would have been even more determined to do well given the opportunity. He had plenty of those opportunities to prove his worth and he made far too many mistakes. Him breaking down and crying after the Liverpool CL game just goes to show he doesn’t have what it takes mentally.
6. stu | August 26th, 2008 at 3:14 am

More truer words were never spoken. Gallas is an arrogant, egotistical asshole. Senderos is an intellegant, mannerly brute. He is the type of defender we lack. Someone who isn’t afraid to attack the ball, get stuck in and get hurt. Alas Wenger does not see this. Arsene wants a team of “footballers”. This doesn’t exist. Mistakes fade with time in the team. Senderos needs a good long run. Hopefully at Milan he can show AW whats he is all about and AW will rectify his mistakes.

Gallas is ruining everything.
7. Droz | August 26th, 2008 at 3:21 am

Well, if this is all true, I’ll be upset to lose Senderos…

Good luck Phil, I always had your back…
8. GunnerDownUnder | August 26th, 2008 at 3:24 am

I think you have it exactly right here. Relentlessly hostile fans haven’t helped, and they have quickly forgotten how tight the defence was in early 2006, but Arsène himself destroyed Senderos’ chances, and has left us with a very unbalanced defence - and then gets rid of the man who could correct that.

Maybe Arsène doesn’t know.
9. Jay | August 26th, 2008 at 3:46 am

Hey just wanted to say that is one of the best written blog posts about Arsenal I have ever read. You made some great points that many Arsenal fans often seem to overlook.

Keep up the good work man.

Thank you.
10. ASNLthruNthru | August 26th, 2008 at 6:06 am

Very touching and precise article on the demise of our doubting defender Senderos.Originally percieved as the new Tony Adams only to morf into a Cygan clone.Sorry lad,for 30 thou a week you just can’t lose your promise like that.What worries me is the bigger picture,at present,only Cesc,Gael and Bacary seem to be able to play football against the big boys. Will they be off to Milan in January?
11. AvP | August 26th, 2008 at 7:42 am

Nice article mate, i cant hide the fact that i rate Senderos highly, and would be annoyed to see him leave permanently
12. rahaizad | August 26th, 2008 at 9:03 am

I doubt whether Senderos is going to make the grade in Milan. Senderos tries to look fierce all the time as a defender but unfortunately he is just a gentle giant and tends to be bullied by the opposing forwards. Don’t forget Alex Song is blossoming into a world class defender that Wenger craves for.
13. Paul | August 26th, 2008 at 9:12 am

I am sad to see this story, I had a lot of faith in Senderos, and I would choose him anyday over Gallas. I think we had our most solid back four when he was amongst them. Yes he made some mistakes, but the lad is young and will learn from them. But wenger never gave him a real chance when there were other options available. I wonder what it did to his confidence when he seen Gallas making stupid mistake after stupid mistake and still get to play week in, week out.
14. Strip Tees | August 26th, 2008 at 9:24 am

Absolutely excellent article. My sentiments exactly. Get Tony Adams on the coaching staff , hire a decent centre half and reduce the goals conceded column down by 15 goals a season.
15. wwagooner | August 26th, 2008 at 9:39 am

Great article. I agree, we failed Big Phil and I think it’s a shame.
16. Sydney Gooner | August 26th, 2008 at 10:08 am

Great Article.

I for one have liked Big Phil, and think he’s everything we need in the defence. The press has gone to town with him over the years, just like Cyan before him (different quality mind) due to high profile errors, but Phil was always solid and always an Arsenal player.

This has made me worry for the first time in not the greatest transfer window in history. Flamini, Gilberto, Hleb…… not really concerned - but letting Phil go and keeping Gallas and bringing in Fish face shouts a noise that’s not what I want to be hearing.
We need a TRUE centre back as well as a Midfielder Arsene - IMMEDIATELY. SHOP SHOP.
17. Alan | August 26th, 2008 at 10:27 am

Normally i am optimistic to the point of being deluded when it comes to Arsenal. This season is differant though. I’ve never felt so negative about a forthcoming season. The Silvestre/Senderos swap is the second to last straw. If we fail to buy a quality midfielder/enforcer in the next 6 days, then i think its over for us and possibly Arsene. Cesc cant do it on his own. Rosicky is another injury waiting to happen and edu may not reach the level he attained last season. Too many ifs buts and maybes for a club like Arsenal.
18. Jamie | August 26th, 2008 at 10:30 am

Good article. I really think Senderos has had a raw deal over the last couple of years, and he was getting better and better. Maybe this new Norwegian guy is supposed to be better, but not yet, and not for a few years yet I wouldn’t think. Defenders get better with age, and Swiss Tony has his best years ahead of him I reckon. I think it was worth signing Silvestre, for his experience, if nothing else, but losing Senderos to make space, is taking a risk.
God knows we need a blocking midfielder now.
19. bal | August 26th, 2008 at 10:32 am

spot on…
but i disagree with what u said about gallas..he has helped this team soo much..how many important goals he has scored..he not only defends he scores too and since our midfield cant do that its a relieve to know that someone else other than adebayor may put the ball into the back of the net..its sad to see gooners turn their backs on the captain,dont expect him to be adams or vieira,he has hardl y been at this club..its wenger’s fault,why must he play two identical centrebacks together???..we all know gallas and toure are only good on the ground,have pace and know how to put in a last ditch tackle…we need someone in the John tery and vidic role who is good in the air,a stopper and excellent reader of the opposition attack and if wenger thinks senderos is not as good as vidic,get someone who is..will he do so before 31 August??..i dont think so,i guess he doesnt read these online comments and articles about him
20. Reasons | August 26th, 2008 at 11:13 am

Where did it go wrong?

This is one of Arsene’s gaffes - Senderos was just not good enough to play for Arsenal over a season. Can he play confidently for 40 to 60 games a season without ballsing this up?

He failed himself, not Arsenal.
21. alan | August 26th, 2008 at 11:41 am

I’d like to know when the seeds of doubt started to raise their heads for Arsene Wenger, if indeed they have. Was it after Liverpool in the CL last season or in the collapse after Birmingham?

Either way it seems that for the first time since his arrival we now have a manager that is either unsure of his convictions or lacks the resources to take the steps considered necessary to strengthen this team. The pressure of failure in recent years and expectations for success may well be the cause of apparent indecision over what is the best way forward for the team.

I sincerely hope that I am wrong as I don’t remember seeing AW’s judgement questioned to such an extent by knowledgeable Gooners as I have in the lead up and start to this season.

Come on you Reds!!!
22. Ali | August 26th, 2008 at 11:55 am

I wish WENGER read this
23. symon | August 26th, 2008 at 11:58 am

we are tired ov wenger, wev gone 4yrs no trophy, lost the best dribler n best defensive midfielders and wenger is taking us(the funs) lightly?? what is Gallas doing in arsenal? i love arsenal but am tired ov wenger and i feel for cesc and just pray he moves on? we need 2central defenders( mexes from Roma and lescort everton) the bremen goalkeeper, diarra from madrid, david silva and huntalaar. if theres anything short ov that , let the communist in wenger go and live in china..(wenger waited for his own contract to run out so he could get a fat deal then he refuse to return the favour to his players!!(comunist wenger)
24. symon | August 26th, 2008 at 12:08 pm

we are tired ov wenger!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
25. symon | August 26th, 2008 at 12:13 pm

we need world class players we are tired ov wengers rubbish..
26. » Den er vist god n&hellip | August 26th, 2008 at 12:17 pm

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27. zicoinexile | August 26th, 2008 at 12:55 pm

This article is spot on.

As for Gallas, strip him of the captaincy, give it to Cesc and maybe, just maybe, Gallas could be an asset to the team.
28. Yommie | August 26th, 2008 at 12:57 pm

Well, I believe Senderos has the potential to become a great defender - experience in AC Milan is the key. I think Wenger is a bit confused about our defence and how to sort its problems. The sooner he takes off one of Gallas/Toure, the better. They are simply refusing to work together.
29. dtc867 | August 26th, 2008 at 1:12 pm

An excellent analysis of Senderos’ time at Arsenal, and of the club’s defensive situation. Thanks.
30. Florian | August 26th, 2008 at 1:13 pm

Another one of those baffling Wenger moves. Just as we sold Diarra, who we could do very nicely with right now, we rid ourselves of Senderos, whom we might have done very nicely with in the future.

I’m all for loan moves, its the only way we can develop our players without weakening the side more than we already do by relying on an inexperienced squad. So I cannot understand why both Senderos and Diarra have not been given the option to come back to the Arsenal as improved players.
31. Goodbye Senderos. Goodbye&hellip | August 26th, 2008 at 1:38 pm

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32. wiener | August 26th, 2008 at 2:32 pm

excellent article. exactly my feelings. all the best to big phil.
33. Biscuitbum | August 26th, 2008 at 3:28 pm

Undoubtedly some good points here, but we`ve been losing faith with Senderos for some time. Opposing teams know that he will make at least one (possibly crucial) mistake per game, and its not just Drogba who`s profited from these. In a quick, slick, one-touch passing side, Senderos has always seemed out of place, his lack of pace and, perhaps worse, mobility, have made him a liability.
A bowler who bowls five good deliveries out of six, and then a long-hop for the sixth, is no good to his team. Nevertheless I wish him well. Of more concern is that even with another £1.5m in the coffers, Wenger seems bent on sticking with what he has, and I now don`t expect any more signings.
34. Chiemeka Nwaogwugwu | August 26th, 2008 at 3:35 pm

It’s really sad! I don’t want to see Phil go, but that is what has happened. Honestly, I feel like weeping for our dear Arsenal. we talk about his problems with Drogba, but we forget that Drogba did the same thing to virtually all the center-backs in the Premiership. We have also forgotten that it was Phil who kept a heavy eye on Pippo Inzaghi on that exciting night at the San Siro (March 4), which resulted in the Milan man being removed for a misfiring Gilardino. Sometimes I wonder if Arsene ever listens to his fans b/4 making these decisions. Someone should tell him 2 try and know what the fans think. Time is running out and if he fails again this season, then he SHOULD BE FIRED!!! And I mean it!
35. mr aser | August 26th, 2008 at 3:51 pm

i rate Senderos highly… he actually a very good sweeper… good luck for you Phil. i thought u would become our club captain.. along with Cesc becouse both of u stay together during the early day of arsenal carrier
36. James | August 26th, 2008 at 4:10 pm

You said it - the slower-paced Italian league. Premiership doesn’t suit Senderos. Personally, I think he’s a clown and I haven’t a clue what anyone has ever seen him. Out of all the centre backs in the Premiership Senderos has to be in the bottom 5. Every time he steps out on that pitch you worry about what he’s going to do next and he rarely disappoints. Toure and Gallas aren’t perfect either, but both twice the players Senderos is. Remember, they’ve both won the Premiership title playing regularly in the back four for their clubs, Senderos hasn’t.
37. Olawale | August 26th, 2008 at 5:03 pm

I’m a more than avid reader of your blog and Arseblog. I come here to get the low down on most arsenalitic stuff. I’m not much for Inler for I’d really love to see Alonso or Barry (or both, stranger things have happened) at the Emirates. It’s a real shame that we’re losing the majority of our players. Some may argue that they’re not our best but they’re the consistent ones. Rosicky, Eduardo, RvP, Diaby and countless others are the most injury prone players I’ve ever known. No doubting their quality but I think they’re few and far in between. Bottomline; we need two midfielders and maybe a defender or an attacker.
38. tim | August 26th, 2008 at 6:05 pm

Well said. I’m disheartened more by the departure of Senderos this offseason than any of the other developments (Hleb, Flamini, Silvestre) because we’re clearly just showing him the door. Bah.
39. Armen | August 26th, 2008 at 9:19 pm

An excellent and insightful article!
40. Keith O'Connell | August 30th, 2008 at 2:10 am

My original post work, alcohol induced theories have been tempered by this well balanced, more coherent argument, but here goes anyway…

I am a (proper… I suppose) Arsenal fan of some 18 years or so bearing (with, for the most part). I was fortunate to see the latter part of the Golden Graham years, the awful, tundry, detritus that followed, and Arsene’s unexpected advent.

I haven’t attended one fifth of the games of which I would have liked to, and as a result am not a party to many a subtle nuance gleaned by a regular attendee…. Though still I have committed many a pretty penny but would dearly have loved to have been an ever-present, cynical, displaced member of the seemingly slowly accustoming Ashburton anger-mongers.

Having said this, I understand this feeling, but yearn for something more…

I can’t help feeling, as I know we have all once felt, previously in ‘89 as popularised by Mr. Hornby and once again by some nouveau, apeing stage jumpers… that Arsene (still) knows, as George once did…

I almost feel like I’m a dissenting voice, nearly lost in the increasingly vitriolic, negative and cynical red wind.

Now those of us that remember, through hard won victories, ugly midfields and one of a kind one upmanship (who can forget GG’s speech post Old Trafford on the CHAMPIONS ‘91 video???) know that you can only appreciate the good times after many, and seemingly continuous and horribly arduous years of under achievement.

It’s another topic that I would like to evolve somewhat, but is Arsene taking a hit for the board? Maybe the money really isn’t there… But he’d rather take a mild hit than the board be torn apart in a ludicrous Levy/Commolli style Chelsea-esque civil war? It wouldn’t be the first time the great man’s sense of judgement and deference to his paymasters has clouded the red-tops (and subsequently, the qualities) deductive capabilities, and thus, sadly ours too…

For me, I have the over-riding sense that we are on an enigmatical, roller-coaster style trip. As ever, you have the feeling that we’re on the verge of something great… We’re experiencing many ups and downs, and many a violent, almost stomach churning swerve. But if we could only just hold on to the bar for long enough…. get through this week without a big new signing, and this season and maybe next without any real silverware… just keep believing that it will be worth it in the end…. and many a money fueled IF in between (Roman finally retreats the pink note laden tank from our lawn and debt-ridden spend-thrifts sink without a trace)…

Feels like a drink-enhanced dream, but is it really that far away…?
41. Kamima Lungu | October 8th, 2008 at 8:30 am

This is great article that has been posted. I agree that phil did make mistakes but that did cost on more occasions than one but when he did put out decent a shift it was superb. Its true we don’t have a defensive structure evident from our defense of set pieces and even long balls. Phil has the talent just no one to help him bring it out. If you compare him to bramble not on the basis of talent but the fact that neither one of them has had someone to guide them.The loan spell would be good for phil coz it will let him learn from more experiened defensive players. AW should not give up on him. GIVE HIM ANOTHER CHANCE HE WILL BE GREAT!!!

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