ARSENAL MANAGER Arsene Wenger rounded angrily on his critics today ahead of tomorrow’s crucial Champions League last-16 first leg tie against Bayern Munich.
Wenger was in a tetchy mood today after suffering a barrage of abuse from fans and pundits following his side’s FA Cup exit on Saturday, when the Gunners were beaten 1-0 at home by Championship side Blackburn.
That represented the second humiliation of Arsenal’s lacklustre campaign following their elimination from the League Cup at the hands of fourth-tier Bradford.
After enduring 48 hours of criticism in the court of public opinion, Wenger made it clear he felt it was time for him to have his say, and that he expected his players to back up his words on the pitch against a Bayern side currently top of the Bundesliga thanks to 18 victories from 22 league games.
“We play for Arsenal Football Club, we are in the last 16 of the Champions League, we have qualified for a long, long time,” Wenger said at a pre-match press conference. “What is important is not what people say but what we produce on the football pitch.
“We live in a democracy of experts and opinions and we have to live and cope with that. We have to show we have the mental strength to deal with any opinion. There are a lot of experts who are not always right.”
Many critics claimed Wenger was wrong to send out a starting line-up against Blackburn that had not included Theo Walcott, Jack Wilshere or Santi Cazorla. But all three came on as substitutes with the game goal-less and Wenger refuted the accusation that he doesn’t take the Cup seriously.
YouTube: football via 101greatgoals
“Look, I have been accused of not taking seriously the FA Cup on Saturday. I won the FA Cup four times,” Wenger said. “Who has won it more? Give me one name. The second thing is that we have been accused of not putting a strong team out.
“That is an insult to the players who started the game and we didn’t lose the game with the players who started. We lost in the last 20 minutes.
“There is a lot of superficial analysis that you cannot accept. We have to take the blame because we went out but for the rest you have to put it in perspective. One guy says something and everybody goes the same way.”
Despite Wenger’s protests that he is unfairly treated, reports on Monday claimed the Frenchman was set to be given a new two-year contract. Yet even that story provoked an oddly angry reaction from Wenger.
“That is the wrong information,” he said. “I have worked for 16 years here in England and I deserve a bit more credit than wrong information. That report had only one intention and that is to harm. It came from nowhere and is completely wrong.”
Thats a video of a man who is fuming? I must gave missed something.
Thats a video of a man who replied to a stupid question the same way any normal person would. Actually I think he handled it very well.
Poor old arsenal always the bridesmaid never the bride
‘There are a lot of experts who are not always right’ – I’m pretty sure he’s taking about himself.
I feel sorry for Wenger. He’s financially crippled and the board are quite happy to let him take the fall. The sooner Kroenke goes the better. Bring back David Dein to work with Wenger and lighten the burden and use Usmanov’s money to invest in quality players. It’s no surprise Wenger is fed up
It’s only the irrationality of sports fanaticism that thinks Arsene is doing a bad job. From a cold hard business point of view he is achieving the desired goals. Champions league qualification. Look up the winners money tables for the premier league, fa cup etc. There is not a huge money difference between ending in the top four or winning it. Champions league is where the money is. It’s hard for fans to think like this but it is just a brand and just another business. The rest is all a show to get your loyalty and money.
aresenal is supposed to be a FC – and try to win trophies as well as make money for directors . Man U , Liverpool , barca etc are all in debt – but they do win things from time to time . Ten years now since Premiership win .He should go – and put in Moyes from Everton . Wenger has done a lot for arsenal – but his mian plan has failed – and now he is stubborn and arrogant .
I expect a reaction with the game against Bayern – which they moght draw – even win – but not the overall tie – but still he should go . His time is up . He does not believe that a team should have a sound defence – time to go -perhaps to some french club .
The Professor has lost the plot I’m afraid. His aloofness and arrogance are ironic considering the past 8 years of his Arsenal reign (dictatorship!!!).
Look. He’s just waiting to be sacked. If he walks away. No money. If he’s sacked ? A ball of money in his back pocket.
Arsene should go at the end of the season. His philosophy is no longer working. Qualification for the Champions League is merely a business exercise for Arsenal when they cant even build a squad to be realistic contenders in it. He has made some atrocious signings as well in the likes of Gervinho, Chamak and Santos to name but three.
A legendary manager who has produced miracles for 20 years. Love to see Fergie limited to a similar budget over that period.
Finally Wenger says something with honesty, insight into his thinking and also some emotion and passion , more of the same I say.
How about 2 names, Arsene? George Ramsay, Aston Villa 6 times & Thomas Mitchell, Blackburn Rovers, 5 times.
Sir Alex 5 times as well
The female did her other female colleagues no favours in convincing Luddites that women know about football! “You have an insider in Podolski…” What an idiotic point to make, he last played there three years ago!!
Barca in d summer for wenger
Haha funny one