Arsene and Other Crimes

The Arsenal vs. Liverpool game on Sunday evening told us a lot about the game of football and, in particular, the ways in which managers can influence their players.

1-0 up in the 12th minute of injury time, Arsenal conceded a penalty with a blatant push by defender Emmanuel Eboue. Up stepped Liverpool’s Dirk Kuyt and slammed home the equaliser, and with it dampened Arsenal’s Premier League hopes.

The awarding of Liverpool’s 102nd minute penalty irked Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger to the point where he came out and publicly slammed referee Andre Mariner for allowing time to run so late.

Wenger told Sky Sports reporter Geoff Shreeves immediately after the game: “We dropped two points. It was a difficult game against a Liverpool team who basically only defended”.

Contrast this to Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish’s comments: “Everybody will be sat there proud at having seen their team produce a performance like that with the attitude and commitment”.

In short, Wenger criticised his players for failing to win the game and criticised the Liverpool players for their caution. Dalglish, on the other hand, congratulated both sets of players and fans for their
effort and enthusiasm. Furthermore, he explicitly praised four members of his team for their outstanding efforts.

Now – what do the post-match comments really matter? In fact, what do reactions matter at all? Surely it’s more important to walk the walk than talk the talk?

It’s a fair question, but consider the following example:

You have recently started up your own business. You would like to open your own office and expand the business, but to do so you need to secure investment. No bank will loan to you, and you are thinking about selling your home to create funds. As a last-ditch effort, you decide to appear on BBC’s Dragon’s Den to secure an investment. Without the money, you may well go bust.

The pitch goes brilliantly. Four of the five ‘Dragons’ are hugely impressed by the business and show an eagerness to invest. However, one Dragon – Richard Farleigh – decides to speak up and tell the other
that your business model is seriously flawed. Richard convinces the rest of the Dragons not to invest. You walk away with absolutely nothing.

As is traditional on the show, BBC’s Evan Davis interviews you as you leave. What do you tell Evan?

“Evan – there’s no way my business model is flawed. That Richard Farleigh is a joke. He always gets decisions wrong and he shouldn’t be on the show. It’s difficult to secure investment from a bunch of
people who are so cautious”.

Or, do you take the Moral High Ground?

“Evan – I’m delighted with my pitch. I can understand Richard’s concern – and he knows a thing or two about business. However, today showed me that there is huge potential for my business, and I am
absolutely determined to secure investment to make this business the success that it deserves to be”.

This very scenario actually happened to Gavin Wheeldon, an entrepreneur from Yorkshire. By taking the Moral High Ground and making it clear he was open for business, Gavin managed to secure
investment from another investment tycoon. He refused to hit out at Richard Farleigh. In fact, he welcomed his objection and used it to his advantage.

Where is Gavin’s business today? He employs 30 staff and has an annual turnover of nearly £4million. That’s how powerful reclaiming the Moral High Ground can be.

Where would Gavin’s business be if he had done an ‘Arsene Wenger’? Well – let’s look at how Arsenal’s week has gone so far:

Sunday: Arsenal draw 1-1 to all but surrender the Premier League title.

Monday: A number of high-profile former Arsenal players, including Alan Smith and David Seaman, say there is a lack of leadership in the Arsenal dressing room.

Tuesday: Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas suggests that Arsene Wenger would have been sacked if he was managing in Spain.

Wednesday: Arsenal squander a 3-1 lead to draw with bitter rivals Tottenham. Wenger complains: “it’s hard to win two games in such a short period of time”, oblivious to the fact that London rivals
Chelsea had done just that.

Thursday: The Mirror, The Independent and various other national newspapers call for Wenger’s head, suggesting he has ‘lost the plot’.

As for Kenny Dalglish, the only thing he has heard since Sunday is players calling for his position to be made permanent.

All of this alludes to a Broadcasting Business time-honoured principle: claim the Moral High Ground when making your case. Praise and welcome your critics.

Only one of the above Premiership managers has taken part in a Broadcasting Business communication skills course. We’ll leave you to decide which one.