They say Arsene Knows, but even Clough got Forest relegated

Prior to yesterday's disaster at Fulham I was going to write a pre-match report. I wish I had because I wasn't convinced Arsenal could beat Fulham, and it would have made me look good had I predicted a draw or said Fulham 2 Arsenal 1.

I wrote approximately 10 days ago that Arsenal were heading for an early season fall, and prior to the match yesterday afternoon I texted my close friend, Kevin - a Fulham fan, and told him not to be so pessimistic, if Fulham played to their best they would get something from Arsenal's "shit" midfield - as I so eloquently put it.

Under such circumstances I do not enjoy being right - not in the slightest, but neither was I enraged whilst viewing the game. Only optimists would have been enraged, whereas I merely watched with a sense of weary resignation. My overriding thought reinforced an opinion I had been carrying all summer, why does Arsene Wenger seem to think the season starts on 1st September? It doesn't, it starts in early-mid August, and if you want to win the title you need to be completely ready by early-mid August. If mid-table is your ambition, fine - make your last minute buys then.

Yesterday's performance was the clearest indication yet that Arsene doesn't know. He knows a hell of a lot, but doesn't KNOW. No-one KNOWS.

An incredible trainer, a media obfuscator, a genius at turning unknowns into world stars - not forgetting the most successful boss in Arsenal's history - but as anyone who followed the infamous Brian Clough's managerial career at Nottingham Forest will realise, it's dangerous to idolise a manager whilst they are still an employee - best idolise them after they've gone.

In respect of the board's idolising of Arsene Wenger, on an operational level the sacking of David Dein has created a yawning chasm that increasingly appears to be subtracting any sense of perspective between the board and the manager. Dein knew Arsenal needed money to compete with money, and he was the only entity at Arsenal football club who acknowledged that and would have sat down with Wenger in a quiet restaurant, as a friend and confidant, discussed boardroom policy, the team's strengths and weakness, the manager's ideals, and then leveraged Wenger's requirements against the rest of the board or gone out and used his massive persuasion to broker some deals. Dein was also the only man on the board Wenger would have listened to intently, because Dein brought Wenger to the club, was the only man on the board who had his finger on the pulse from the supporter's perspective, understood the game at grass roots level and had the knowledge and experience to back up his opinions.

Dein was the link between the supporters, the club and Wenger, the glue that binded them all together. But Dein is gone now and there's no way back. If Wenger is mortal then you can bet your life Dein is mortal. Dein took a wrong turn in siding with Alisher Usmanov - it was a panic decision from an incensed man, but that doesn't mean he hasn't been missed; his subtraction has eaten away at the club's impetus and strangled its fortunes in the transfer market like a bad dose of woodworm. Dein's departure has created "Wenger the obstinate", "Wenger the isolated".

The question is, has the Arsenal board become obsequios to Wenger's every whim? Are they too trusting in his eminence and when, if ever, do they question the manager's practises? Are they too busy building busts, and is top four - but no longer the top two - good enough for them forever?

When does the board interject with an opinion that suggests all is not well. I'll tell you when, like all clubs do - when the fans start booing.

That day is not far away. For the first time in Wenger's reign the storm clouds of discontent are gathering - the sun has gone in, the sky is turning grey and the supporter's once unanimous backing is cascading preliminary raindrops.

Wenger will need to get his umbrella (chequebook) out. Forget FC Twente, Hull City could beat them, the boos will come at the Emirates against Newcastle next weekend if a) Arsenal fail to get anything other than a win or b) Wenger fails to comfort purchase in-between.

The first boos directly aimed at Arsene Wenger, not at a dud performance by Adebayor or Eboue or some kid with too much responsibility on his plate - at Arsene Wenger. That's meaningful.