Manchester United's Patrice Evra reveals he was close to joining Inter
The Frenchman says the Nerazzurri were keen to sign him last summer, but it was the English club who didn't want to let him go.
Manchester United defender Patrice Evra has revealed Inter were interested in signing him during the past summer.
The Frenchman says it was the English club who refused the transfer to occur.
"I signed a four-year contract with the club, and whoever wants to sign me has to go to [Sir Alex] Ferguson's office and deal with him directly," the 29-year-old said to Sky after the side's 3-1 aggregate win over Chelsea.
"Inter was very interested in me a year ago, as well as Real Madrid. With Inter, there was serious contacts, but United did not want to sell me."
Evra also believes if the Nerazzurri can score two early goals in their Champions League encounter against Schalke, they have a chance of progressing to the semi-finals of the competition.
"Inter have nothing to lose, as one can never say never in football," he added. "If they can score two quick goals, Schalke could be scared.
"The Germans did very well in Milan, and we were all surprised they scored five goals."
Monday, April 18, 2011
Birmingham City's Alexander Hleb: I love Arsenal & if I have a chance to go back I will
Belarus midfielder, on loan from Barcelona, admits he does not want to stay at St Andrew's and wants to join a club who "play football" at the end of the season
Alexander Hleb has revealed that he loves former club Arsenal and would like to return at the end of the season.
The playmaker is currently on loan at Birmingham City from Barcelona but his lack of form and fitness has limited him to just 11 league starts at St Andrew's.
And the Belarus international has admitted the Blues style of play has forced him to look for a summer move.
“No. I don’t stay here and I don’t want to stay,” said Hleb, according to The Daily Mirror.
“I enjoyed my time but this is not my way of football. Here you just need to fight, run and not much passing.
“This is for me something new. I will give my best for this club, but I prefer to play football."
The midfielder previously spent three seasons in England’s top flight with Arsenal before departing for Spain in 2008, and he is now eyeing a move back to north London.
The 29-year-old continued, “I would like to stay in the Premier League – and I know which club. We will speak and hopefully everything will be good.
“I love Arsenal and they are always in my heart. If I have a chance to go back then I will.
“In life everything is possible.”
Alexander Hleb has revealed that he loves former club Arsenal and would like to return at the end of the season.
The playmaker is currently on loan at Birmingham City from Barcelona but his lack of form and fitness has limited him to just 11 league starts at St Andrew's.
And the Belarus international has admitted the Blues style of play has forced him to look for a summer move.
“No. I don’t stay here and I don’t want to stay,” said Hleb, according to The Daily Mirror.
“I enjoyed my time but this is not my way of football. Here you just need to fight, run and not much passing.
“This is for me something new. I will give my best for this club, but I prefer to play football."
The midfielder previously spent three seasons in England’s top flight with Arsenal before departing for Spain in 2008, and he is now eyeing a move back to north London.
The 29-year-old continued, “I would like to stay in the Premier League – and I know which club. We will speak and hopefully everything will be good.
“I love Arsenal and they are always in my heart. If I have a chance to go back then I will.
“In life everything is possible.”
Tottenham's Gareth Bale named PFA Player of the Year
Tottenham Hotspur winger Gareth Bale has been named PFA Player of the Year, beating Arsenal's Samir Nasri into second and Manchester City's Carlos Tevez into third.
The former Southampton youngster shot to fame during the 2010/11 campaign as he helped Spurs to the Champions League Quarter Finals, putting Inter Milan to the sword in the group stages when making two of Spurs three goals in the home tie and netting a hat-trick during a 4-3 defeat in the San Siro.
Despite struggling to play since late January due to injury, the Welshman has netted seven times in the Premier League, form which accompanied by his impressive European displays, allowed him to see off competition from Carlos Tevez, Samir Nasri, Rafael Van Der Vaart, Scott Parker, Charlie Adam and Nemanja Vidic for the award.
Bale was also nominated for the Young Player of the Year Award, picked up by Arsenal’s Jack Wilshere, but admitted to being ecstatic to join a star studded list of players to previously pick up the honor.
''I am more than delighted really,'' said Bale. ''It is a massive award and it is a great honor to receive, especially from other fellow professionals.
''It is a honor really when you look at the names that have won it before and it just makes you go 'wow' really.
''There haven't been too many Welshman to have won the trophy but it is great and it is great for me personally.
''And it is not just for me, it is for all my team-mates that have helped me through the season and it is kind of for everyone really.''
The 21-year-old follows in the footsteps of compatriots Ryan Giggs, Mark Hughes and Ian Rush in picking up the honor but Goal.com readers may be left frustrated having voted in their droves during a recent poll that Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic deserved the award, closely followed by Samir Nasri. Bale picked up only 7.63% of the vote.
Early on in his Tottenham career, Bale attracted headlines as his side endured a torrid run of form whenever he was selected but after a strong finish to the 2009/10 campaign, his fortunes have sky rocketed this term. A change in fortune he attributes to a number of factors.
''I think it is due to a bit of everything really,'' he added.
''At the beginning I wasn't really playing much and I always believed in myself that if I did get a run in the team - which I eventually did - that I would be able to prove what I can do.
''That did happen and I kind of never really looked back from there.
''Playing in a good team with good players definitely helped me a lot and all the boys have been fantastic, the manager has been fantastic, giving me my chance, and it is something I want to improve on.''
Spurs fans will hope Bale’s return from injury and prestigious honor will springboard the dynamic winger into top form as Harry Redknapp’s men chase down Manchester City for a Champions League berth during the closing stages of the campaign.
The former Southampton youngster shot to fame during the 2010/11 campaign as he helped Spurs to the Champions League Quarter Finals, putting Inter Milan to the sword in the group stages when making two of Spurs three goals in the home tie and netting a hat-trick during a 4-3 defeat in the San Siro.
Despite struggling to play since late January due to injury, the Welshman has netted seven times in the Premier League, form which accompanied by his impressive European displays, allowed him to see off competition from Carlos Tevez, Samir Nasri, Rafael Van Der Vaart, Scott Parker, Charlie Adam and Nemanja Vidic for the award.
Bale was also nominated for the Young Player of the Year Award, picked up by Arsenal’s Jack Wilshere, but admitted to being ecstatic to join a star studded list of players to previously pick up the honor.
''I am more than delighted really,'' said Bale. ''It is a massive award and it is a great honor to receive, especially from other fellow professionals.
''It is a honor really when you look at the names that have won it before and it just makes you go 'wow' really.
''There haven't been too many Welshman to have won the trophy but it is great and it is great for me personally.
''And it is not just for me, it is for all my team-mates that have helped me through the season and it is kind of for everyone really.''
The 21-year-old follows in the footsteps of compatriots Ryan Giggs, Mark Hughes and Ian Rush in picking up the honor but Goal.com readers may be left frustrated having voted in their droves during a recent poll that Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic deserved the award, closely followed by Samir Nasri. Bale picked up only 7.63% of the vote.
Early on in his Tottenham career, Bale attracted headlines as his side endured a torrid run of form whenever he was selected but after a strong finish to the 2009/10 campaign, his fortunes have sky rocketed this term. A change in fortune he attributes to a number of factors.
''I think it is due to a bit of everything really,'' he added.
''At the beginning I wasn't really playing much and I always believed in myself that if I did get a run in the team - which I eventually did - that I would be able to prove what I can do.
''That did happen and I kind of never really looked back from there.
''Playing in a good team with good players definitely helped me a lot and all the boys have been fantastic, the manager has been fantastic, giving me my chance, and it is something I want to improve on.''
Spurs fans will hope Bale’s return from injury and prestigious honor will springboard the dynamic winger into top form as Harry Redknapp’s men chase down Manchester City for a Champions League berth during the closing stages of the campaign.
Manchester United and Arsenal dominate PFA Premier League Team of the Year Four Red Devils included in PFA Team of the Year
Manchester United and Arsenal dominate PFA Premier League Team of the Year
Four Red Devils included in PFA Team of the Year as Carlos Tevez, Gareth Bale & Samir Nasri among others also make the cut. Charlie Adam and Leighton Baines omitted.
Players from Premier League challengers Manchester United and Arsenal dominate the 2010-11 PFA Premier League Team of the Year, cementing seven of the 11 places.
PFA Young Player of the Year Jack Wilshere grabs himself a midfield berth and is joined in the impressive side by Arsenal team-mates Bacary Sagna and Samir Nasri.
MORE...
* Bale takes Player of the Year gong
* Wilshere wins PFA Young Player award
Edwin van der Sar takes his place between the sticks for his performances during what is expected to be his last Premier League season and the Manchester United contingent is completed by Nemanja Vidic, Nani and Premier League top goalscorer Dimitar Berbatov.
FA Cup finalists Manchester City are also able to boast two names in the select XI as Belgian defender Vincent Kompany receives recognition, as does talismanic forward Carlos Tevez.
Premier League champions Chelsea have only one representative in Ashley Cole and Tottenham are represented by PFA Player of the Year Gareth Bale.
Notable omissions from the XI include Everton defender Leighton Baines, who boasts the most assist for any defender in the league this year, and inspirational duo Scott Parker and Charlie Adam.
Premier League Team of the Year: Van der Sar (Man Utd); Sagna (Arsenal), Vidic (Man Utd), Kompany (Man City), Cole (Chelsea); Nani (Man Utd), Nasri (Arsenal), Wilshere (Arsenal), Bale (Tottenham); Tevez (Man City), Berbatov (Man Utd).
Four Red Devils included in PFA Team of the Year as Carlos Tevez, Gareth Bale & Samir Nasri among others also make the cut. Charlie Adam and Leighton Baines omitted.
Players from Premier League challengers Manchester United and Arsenal dominate the 2010-11 PFA Premier League Team of the Year, cementing seven of the 11 places.
PFA Young Player of the Year Jack Wilshere grabs himself a midfield berth and is joined in the impressive side by Arsenal team-mates Bacary Sagna and Samir Nasri.
MORE...
* Bale takes Player of the Year gong
* Wilshere wins PFA Young Player award
Edwin van der Sar takes his place between the sticks for his performances during what is expected to be his last Premier League season and the Manchester United contingent is completed by Nemanja Vidic, Nani and Premier League top goalscorer Dimitar Berbatov.
FA Cup finalists Manchester City are also able to boast two names in the select XI as Belgian defender Vincent Kompany receives recognition, as does talismanic forward Carlos Tevez.
Premier League champions Chelsea have only one representative in Ashley Cole and Tottenham are represented by PFA Player of the Year Gareth Bale.
Notable omissions from the XI include Everton defender Leighton Baines, who boasts the most assist for any defender in the league this year, and inspirational duo Scott Parker and Charlie Adam.
Premier League Team of the Year: Van der Sar (Man Utd); Sagna (Arsenal), Vidic (Man Utd), Kompany (Man City), Cole (Chelsea); Nani (Man Utd), Nasri (Arsenal), Wilshere (Arsenal), Bale (Tottenham); Tevez (Man City), Berbatov (Man Utd).
rsenal's Jack Wilshere wins PFA Young Player of the Year award
Arsenal starlet Jack Wilshere has been named PFA Young Player of the Year.
The 19-year-old beat off competition from Arsenal team-mate Samir Nasri as well as Joe Hart, Gareth Bale, Seamus Coleman and Manchester United pair Javier Hernandez and Nani.
Since making an hour-long appearance away at Liverpool on the opening day, Wilshere has progressed to become a regular starter for Arsene Wenger and won major plaudits for his performance during Arsenal’s 2-1 Champions League first-leg victory over Barcelona in February.
Rising to prominence as the season progressed, Wilshere made inroads into Fabio Capello’s plans and made his full debut in England’s 2-1 friendly victory over Denmark before making a competitive bow for the Three Lions in the 2-0 Euro 2012 qualifying victory over Wales.
Wilshere joins an illustrious list of previous winners of the award such as Cristiano Ronaldo, David Beckham, Michael Owen and Steven Gerrard but the decision to grant the Arsenal play-maker the honor contradicts the views of Goal.com followers in a recent poll.
Readers voted Manchester United’s Nani as deserving of the award with 27.96% of the vote, just nudging out the successful Wilshere with 27.06%.
The award will prove some form of consolation for the Arsenal midfielder as his side was thwarted at the death by Liverpool in Sunday’s vital Premier League clash.
The 19-year-old beat off competition from Arsenal team-mate Samir Nasri as well as Joe Hart, Gareth Bale, Seamus Coleman and Manchester United pair Javier Hernandez and Nani.
Since making an hour-long appearance away at Liverpool on the opening day, Wilshere has progressed to become a regular starter for Arsene Wenger and won major plaudits for his performance during Arsenal’s 2-1 Champions League first-leg victory over Barcelona in February.
Rising to prominence as the season progressed, Wilshere made inroads into Fabio Capello’s plans and made his full debut in England’s 2-1 friendly victory over Denmark before making a competitive bow for the Three Lions in the 2-0 Euro 2012 qualifying victory over Wales.
Wilshere joins an illustrious list of previous winners of the award such as Cristiano Ronaldo, David Beckham, Michael Owen and Steven Gerrard but the decision to grant the Arsenal play-maker the honor contradicts the views of Goal.com followers in a recent poll.
Readers voted Manchester United’s Nani as deserving of the award with 27.96% of the vote, just nudging out the successful Wilshere with 27.06%.
The award will prove some form of consolation for the Arsenal midfielder as his side was thwarted at the death by Liverpool in Sunday’s vital Premier League clash.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger furious at award of late Liverpool penalty
Arsene Wenger could not hide his annoyance after watching his Arsenal side concede a 101st minute penalty to Liverpool as the two sides drew 1-1 at the Emirates.
The game seemed to be heading for a goalless draw until Jay Spearing felled Cesc Fabregas in the seventh minute of injury time for a penalty, that Robin van Persie converted, to seemingly keep them in the hunt, with Manchester United, for title glory.
However, there was to be one final twist left in the game and it came in the 101st minute when a Luis Suarez free-kick hit the wall and deflected away from the goal. Lucas chased after it, only to be bundled over by Emmanuel Eboue for another penalty.
Dirk Kuyt stepped up and fired home the kick that surely all but extinguished Arsenal’s title hopes.
After the game, Wenger appeared incredulous that the penalty was given.
"But extra time was only eight minutes,” he appealed on Sky Sports. “I wanted to get the players away from the referee and after having watched it again I don't think it was a penalty. At all.
“The referee [thought he] saw a penalty, so it was a penalty. What can you do?
“We have to continue to play and fight until the last minute [of the season]. That's what we are about and that's what we want to show.
“We have players who are ambitious and want to do as well as we can. We had disappointments in August and we had to bounce back. That's what we will do.”
Wenger also insisted his side felt "hard done by" at the end of the game but he insisted the Gunners would continue their title fight despite the disappointment.
“It was a game where Liverpool defended and defended and we had to throw everything forward," he added.
“It's not easy to keep a clean sheet. I feel we were hard done by in the end because time was over by three minutes and you were told that just after the free-kick it was game over but we have to take it and continue to fight.
The game seemed to be heading for a goalless draw until Jay Spearing felled Cesc Fabregas in the seventh minute of injury time for a penalty, that Robin van Persie converted, to seemingly keep them in the hunt, with Manchester United, for title glory.
However, there was to be one final twist left in the game and it came in the 101st minute when a Luis Suarez free-kick hit the wall and deflected away from the goal. Lucas chased after it, only to be bundled over by Emmanuel Eboue for another penalty.
Dirk Kuyt stepped up and fired home the kick that surely all but extinguished Arsenal’s title hopes.
After the game, Wenger appeared incredulous that the penalty was given.
"But extra time was only eight minutes,” he appealed on Sky Sports. “I wanted to get the players away from the referee and after having watched it again I don't think it was a penalty. At all.
“The referee [thought he] saw a penalty, so it was a penalty. What can you do?
“We have to continue to play and fight until the last minute [of the season]. That's what we are about and that's what we want to show.
“We have players who are ambitious and want to do as well as we can. We had disappointments in August and we had to bounce back. That's what we will do.”
Wenger also insisted his side felt "hard done by" at the end of the game but he insisted the Gunners would continue their title fight despite the disappointment.
“It was a game where Liverpool defended and defended and we had to throw everything forward," he added.
“It's not easy to keep a clean sheet. I feel we were hard done by in the end because time was over by three minutes and you were told that just after the free-kick it was game over but we have to take it and continue to fight.
Arsenal blows its title hopes again and it is time Arsene Wenger pointed the finger at his players – and himself
Having taken the lead in stoppage time, the Gunners were quick to shoot themselves in the foot, as Dirk Kuyt's last-gasp equalizer shows yet another display of mental fragility.
Not for the first time, a goal in the last minute of a game between Liverpool and Arsenal has decided the destination of the title in England.
Dirk Kuyt's penalty in the 12th minute of added time at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday night will not live in the memory for quite as long as Michael Thomas' Anfield winner for the Gunners in 1989.
In front of Stan Kroenke, the American businessman who has taken over the club, Arsenal showed exactly why it will not win the Premier League this season, and exactly why Manchester United will triumph in the top flight of English football for a 19th time.
Arsene Wenger's reaction at the end of the game spoke a thousand words from a man who had already conceded that failure to beat the Merseysiders would effectively end his side's title tilt.
The Frenchman first sought a row with Reds boss Kenny Dalglish, then marched onto the pitch to confront referee Andre Marriner before finally spewing his frustration to the press.
He complained about the length of additional time after the 90 minutes, he vehemently protested against the decision to award Liverpool's penalty and took every opportunity to take a dig at the visitors' “negative” tactics.
What Wenger did not do was accept the home truths that have confronted him in Arsenal's last three games at this stadium.
He knew Arsenal had blown it but was looking to point the finger anywhere but his own players – or even himself – for yet another display of complete mental fragility. The Gunners only had to hold on for five minutes following Robin van Persie's spot-kick to claim all three points against a Liverpool side that barely mustered a shot on target during the match.
When asked about Emmanuel Eboue's clumsy challenge on Lucas that gave Marriner no choice but to point to the spot, Wenger insisted that the Ivorian had not fouled the Liverpool midfielder, refused to acknowledge the naivety of Arsenal's defending and the utter panic in the side once they had taken the lead.
"If Arsenal's Invincibles won the Premier League in 2004, then it is the Invertebrates who have blown their chance of glory this year"
This was more or less Arsenal's first-choice attack, with Cesc Fabregas, Jack Wilshere, Samir Nasri, Theo Walcott and Van Persie all in the same team against a Liverpool side that was devastated by injuries before and during the game.
Yet the Gunners were completely devoid of ideas, drive and creativity – just as they were in a dire goalless draw against Blackburn in their previous outing at the Emirates. The frustration in the crowd boiled over into anger on many occasions, particularly in the second half as Liverpool was able to get a body in the way of Arsenal's intricate passing moves.
Arsenal needed a killer instinct but Fabregas could not produce a match-winning pass; it needed a touch of class in front of goal but Van Persie smashed a clear chance straight at Pepe Reina; it needed a bit of luck but Laurent Koscielny's header hit the crossbar and bounced away from the goal.
But it has been the same story for Arsenal throughout the season and the opposite for Manchester United, which has constantly proved its mental strength collectively and as individuals.
Wenger's side now sits six points behind United with six games to play. It is a gap they will not close and the players' reactions at the final whistle, their body language as they trudged off the field, suggested they know that to be true.
“Bottlers” was the word one fan sat near the press box screamed towards the players, his face puce with rage and sheer emotion. He had gone through the agony of watching Arsenal toil, the relief of them taking the lead, and the resignation of watching them throw it away. Any Gunners supporter who had been at the League Cup final would not have been surprised.
Wenger needs to change both the mindset and the personnel to make sure that six years without a trophy does not become seven next season. Kroenke has made it clear he has no intention of interfering with the football side of the club, but he could do worse than give Wenger a metaphorical kick up the backside to make sure Arsenal sign a proven central defender who can lead from the back.
Wenger's refrain when he oversaw great Arsenal sides of the past used to always be about “mental strength”, now he talks about “character” almost sheepishly, knowing that he is in charge of a team with about as much backbone as an earthworm.
If Arsenal's Invincibles won the Premier League in 2004, then it is the Invertebrates who have blown their chance of glory this year.
Wenger and his new boss need to accept that if the club is to move on into a new era.
Not for the first time, a goal in the last minute of a game between Liverpool and Arsenal has decided the destination of the title in England.
Dirk Kuyt's penalty in the 12th minute of added time at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday night will not live in the memory for quite as long as Michael Thomas' Anfield winner for the Gunners in 1989.
In front of Stan Kroenke, the American businessman who has taken over the club, Arsenal showed exactly why it will not win the Premier League this season, and exactly why Manchester United will triumph in the top flight of English football for a 19th time.
Arsene Wenger's reaction at the end of the game spoke a thousand words from a man who had already conceded that failure to beat the Merseysiders would effectively end his side's title tilt.
The Frenchman first sought a row with Reds boss Kenny Dalglish, then marched onto the pitch to confront referee Andre Marriner before finally spewing his frustration to the press.
He complained about the length of additional time after the 90 minutes, he vehemently protested against the decision to award Liverpool's penalty and took every opportunity to take a dig at the visitors' “negative” tactics.
What Wenger did not do was accept the home truths that have confronted him in Arsenal's last three games at this stadium.
He knew Arsenal had blown it but was looking to point the finger anywhere but his own players – or even himself – for yet another display of complete mental fragility. The Gunners only had to hold on for five minutes following Robin van Persie's spot-kick to claim all three points against a Liverpool side that barely mustered a shot on target during the match.
When asked about Emmanuel Eboue's clumsy challenge on Lucas that gave Marriner no choice but to point to the spot, Wenger insisted that the Ivorian had not fouled the Liverpool midfielder, refused to acknowledge the naivety of Arsenal's defending and the utter panic in the side once they had taken the lead.
"If Arsenal's Invincibles won the Premier League in 2004, then it is the Invertebrates who have blown their chance of glory this year"
This was more or less Arsenal's first-choice attack, with Cesc Fabregas, Jack Wilshere, Samir Nasri, Theo Walcott and Van Persie all in the same team against a Liverpool side that was devastated by injuries before and during the game.
Yet the Gunners were completely devoid of ideas, drive and creativity – just as they were in a dire goalless draw against Blackburn in their previous outing at the Emirates. The frustration in the crowd boiled over into anger on many occasions, particularly in the second half as Liverpool was able to get a body in the way of Arsenal's intricate passing moves.
Arsenal needed a killer instinct but Fabregas could not produce a match-winning pass; it needed a touch of class in front of goal but Van Persie smashed a clear chance straight at Pepe Reina; it needed a bit of luck but Laurent Koscielny's header hit the crossbar and bounced away from the goal.
But it has been the same story for Arsenal throughout the season and the opposite for Manchester United, which has constantly proved its mental strength collectively and as individuals.
Wenger's side now sits six points behind United with six games to play. It is a gap they will not close and the players' reactions at the final whistle, their body language as they trudged off the field, suggested they know that to be true.
“Bottlers” was the word one fan sat near the press box screamed towards the players, his face puce with rage and sheer emotion. He had gone through the agony of watching Arsenal toil, the relief of them taking the lead, and the resignation of watching them throw it away. Any Gunners supporter who had been at the League Cup final would not have been surprised.
Wenger needs to change both the mindset and the personnel to make sure that six years without a trophy does not become seven next season. Kroenke has made it clear he has no intention of interfering with the football side of the club, but he could do worse than give Wenger a metaphorical kick up the backside to make sure Arsenal sign a proven central defender who can lead from the back.
Wenger's refrain when he oversaw great Arsenal sides of the past used to always be about “mental strength”, now he talks about “character” almost sheepishly, knowing that he is in charge of a team with about as much backbone as an earthworm.
If Arsenal's Invincibles won the Premier League in 2004, then it is the Invertebrates who have blown their chance of glory this year.
Wenger and his new boss need to accept that if the club is to move on into a new era.
Arsenal 1-1 Liverpool: Kuyt scores penalty with final kick of the game as Gunners blow chance to close gap on Manchester United
Late drama at the Emirates Stadium denies Arsenal three points in their hunt to catch Manchester United.
Two penalties in injury time turned a frustrating game into the most shocking finale to a Premier League game in a long time as Robin Van Persie gave Arsenal the lead before Dirk Kuyt denied the hosts in the 101st minute as Arsenal and Liverpool drew 1-1 on Sunday.
The build-up before the game was all about Arsenal’s chances of leap-frogging Manchester United for an unlikely Premier League title. A win was a must. But, as a rather convenient metaphor for the subsequent display from the hosts, it turned out to be all talk and no end product. Before the explosive finale that is.
Arsenal came out of the traps the quickest with Abou Diaby flashing a downward header just past the post after a mere 3 minutes from a Samir Nasri freekick.
But true to form in this fixture, it wasn’t just one side intent on attacking as Liverpool caused the home side problems with the link-up play between the towering figure of Andy Carroll up front, the same man who scored the solitary goal in a Newcastle victory at the Emirates earlier in the season, and Luis Suarez.
Minutes later, at first glance, a seemingly innocuous penalty claim for Liverpool after Jay Spearing was felled was quickly waved away by referee Andre Marriner, but replays showed that the away side could perhaps consider themselves unlucky.
The returning Theo Walcott tested Pepe Reina after 12 minutes with a swerving 22-yard effort that the goalkeeper opted to punch rather than gather, with a moment of panic among the Liverpool defense ensued before they regained their composure and hacked the ball clear.
Again Arsenal came forward though and came within inches of taking the lead when Laurent Koscielny’s header, from a Robin van Persie corner, crashed back off the cross bar as Reina again looked shaky.
Arsenal were definitely the side on top, and soon they had the ball in the back of the net. Cue cheers from the home fans. Unfortunately for them they were short lived as the goalscorer, Van Persie, was correctly adjudged to be offside when collecting the ball and it was back to square one.
With Arsenal providing all its threat down the flanks, Liverpool’s chances of containing the Gunners were handed a blow when Fabio Aurelio was forced off through injury mid-way through the first half, to be replaced by the second rookie full-back of the game in the form of Jack Robinson.
Reina, obviously not enjoying the continuing trend of the game coming towards his goal rather than goal, made another error shortly afterwards when he came out to stop Van Persie’s dart towards his goal but inexplicably missed the ball and the man and only the Dutchman’s momentum carried the ball harmlessly out for a goalkick with the goal unmanned.
If rumors of Arsenal making an approach for Reina last summer are true, on this performance the Spaniard is probably not expecting the same call this summer.
Another returning player, Johan Djourou, was also making an impact, after Walcott’s earlier wicked shot, by helping Arsenal control the midfield and dominate possession, so as both sides walked down the tunnel at the end of the first half only one winner was evident. Unfortunately it was the team playing all the pretty football, but nothing of note when it came to end product.
It was heart-in-mouth time again for Liverpool in the opening stages of the second half, but this time not because of an Arsenal attack. Record signing Andy Carroll collapsed inside the opposition area when he lost his footing stretching for a ball and immediately waved for help from the touchline.
Replays showed a buckling of the knee when his ankle gave way but after a couple of minutes on the sidelines, the striker reappeared to solider on.
This was quickly followed by more injury woes for the away side when Jamie Carragher clashed heads with John Flanagan when attempting to clear an Arsenal attack, and immediately fell to the floor unconscious.
Unfortunately this time the player did not recover as quickly and Sotirios Kyrgiakos came on in replace of the Liverpool captain.
After the extended pause to the action, Arsenal picked up where it left off as Walcott did well down the right flank to find space for a low driven cross towards Van Persie, only for Reina to intercept with a low save before the Dutchman could pounce.
It may have been all Arsenal, but Liverpool looked like being able to snatch a goal, as Carroll and Suarez again combined for the latter to cut inside from the right and bend a shot in, but Szczesny was never troubled and made a comfortable save.
It wasn’t long before the earlier injury caught up with Carroll though as 10 minutes later he was reluctantly substituted in place of Jonjo Shelvey. A good call though as the striker was not moving freely.
More pretty link-up play from Arsenal, but more groans from their fans as great vision from Fabregas allowed the ball to be slid into the path of Van Persie, but the striker went for a delicate dink rather than a shot and Skrtel was able to clear.
With Wenger desperately looking to keep their title challenge alive and tension building all around the ground, Nicholas Bendtner and Andrey Arshavin were introduced for the last 20 minutes, unfortunately Bendtner’s first touch was to over-hit a first touch out for a goal kick.
As the minutes ticked by, both teams knew only one goal was in this and Liverpool knew it was there for the taking as Flanagan and Suarez tried to combine for another hopeful effort but the pass from the former was over-hit. Cue groans from the away support.
Every single misplaced pass, bad first touch, wrong decision was being derided by the ever-increasingly frustrated Arsenal fans as an Arshavin fluffed attempted cross did not appease them. Cue more groans.
As it turned out, there was one gilt-edged chance that Arsenal made to grab a winner. With five minutes remaining, and persisting with tippy-tappy football, a glorious flick by Nasri with his heel set Van Persie scampering into the area one-on-one with Reina, only for the latter to make the vital save and keep Arsenal out. That could well be the save that denied Arsenal a title. Ironic for the apparent long-term admirers of the goalkeeper.
As the fourth official announced that there would be a massive eight minutes of injury time, most fans surely would have been happy to call it a day. They will be happy they didn’t though as in the seventh minute of injury time Jay Spearing tripped Cesc Fabregas as the latter ran into the box. A blatant penalty. Van Persie duly stepped up and reignited the title challenge fire for Arsenal. Surely?
No. As in the 100th minute of the game, Eboue bundled over Lucas inside the Arsenal area as the Brazilian was running away from the Arsenal goal to gather a deflected Suarez freekick. Another penalty. Dirk Kuyt converted under supreme pressure. The final nail in Arsenal’s title dream? Perhaps.
As the sounds of the referee’s whistle ended the game and flew out of the stadium, it could well have been accompanied by Arsenal’s title hopes for another season.
Two penalties in injury time turned a frustrating game into the most shocking finale to a Premier League game in a long time as Robin Van Persie gave Arsenal the lead before Dirk Kuyt denied the hosts in the 101st minute as Arsenal and Liverpool drew 1-1 on Sunday.
The build-up before the game was all about Arsenal’s chances of leap-frogging Manchester United for an unlikely Premier League title. A win was a must. But, as a rather convenient metaphor for the subsequent display from the hosts, it turned out to be all talk and no end product. Before the explosive finale that is.
Arsenal came out of the traps the quickest with Abou Diaby flashing a downward header just past the post after a mere 3 minutes from a Samir Nasri freekick.
But true to form in this fixture, it wasn’t just one side intent on attacking as Liverpool caused the home side problems with the link-up play between the towering figure of Andy Carroll up front, the same man who scored the solitary goal in a Newcastle victory at the Emirates earlier in the season, and Luis Suarez.
Minutes later, at first glance, a seemingly innocuous penalty claim for Liverpool after Jay Spearing was felled was quickly waved away by referee Andre Marriner, but replays showed that the away side could perhaps consider themselves unlucky.
The returning Theo Walcott tested Pepe Reina after 12 minutes with a swerving 22-yard effort that the goalkeeper opted to punch rather than gather, with a moment of panic among the Liverpool defense ensued before they regained their composure and hacked the ball clear.
Again Arsenal came forward though and came within inches of taking the lead when Laurent Koscielny’s header, from a Robin van Persie corner, crashed back off the cross bar as Reina again looked shaky.
Arsenal were definitely the side on top, and soon they had the ball in the back of the net. Cue cheers from the home fans. Unfortunately for them they were short lived as the goalscorer, Van Persie, was correctly adjudged to be offside when collecting the ball and it was back to square one.
With Arsenal providing all its threat down the flanks, Liverpool’s chances of containing the Gunners were handed a blow when Fabio Aurelio was forced off through injury mid-way through the first half, to be replaced by the second rookie full-back of the game in the form of Jack Robinson.
Reina, obviously not enjoying the continuing trend of the game coming towards his goal rather than goal, made another error shortly afterwards when he came out to stop Van Persie’s dart towards his goal but inexplicably missed the ball and the man and only the Dutchman’s momentum carried the ball harmlessly out for a goalkick with the goal unmanned.
If rumors of Arsenal making an approach for Reina last summer are true, on this performance the Spaniard is probably not expecting the same call this summer.
Another returning player, Johan Djourou, was also making an impact, after Walcott’s earlier wicked shot, by helping Arsenal control the midfield and dominate possession, so as both sides walked down the tunnel at the end of the first half only one winner was evident. Unfortunately it was the team playing all the pretty football, but nothing of note when it came to end product.
It was heart-in-mouth time again for Liverpool in the opening stages of the second half, but this time not because of an Arsenal attack. Record signing Andy Carroll collapsed inside the opposition area when he lost his footing stretching for a ball and immediately waved for help from the touchline.
Replays showed a buckling of the knee when his ankle gave way but after a couple of minutes on the sidelines, the striker reappeared to solider on.
This was quickly followed by more injury woes for the away side when Jamie Carragher clashed heads with John Flanagan when attempting to clear an Arsenal attack, and immediately fell to the floor unconscious.
Unfortunately this time the player did not recover as quickly and Sotirios Kyrgiakos came on in replace of the Liverpool captain.
After the extended pause to the action, Arsenal picked up where it left off as Walcott did well down the right flank to find space for a low driven cross towards Van Persie, only for Reina to intercept with a low save before the Dutchman could pounce.
It may have been all Arsenal, but Liverpool looked like being able to snatch a goal, as Carroll and Suarez again combined for the latter to cut inside from the right and bend a shot in, but Szczesny was never troubled and made a comfortable save.
It wasn’t long before the earlier injury caught up with Carroll though as 10 minutes later he was reluctantly substituted in place of Jonjo Shelvey. A good call though as the striker was not moving freely.
More pretty link-up play from Arsenal, but more groans from their fans as great vision from Fabregas allowed the ball to be slid into the path of Van Persie, but the striker went for a delicate dink rather than a shot and Skrtel was able to clear.
With Wenger desperately looking to keep their title challenge alive and tension building all around the ground, Nicholas Bendtner and Andrey Arshavin were introduced for the last 20 minutes, unfortunately Bendtner’s first touch was to over-hit a first touch out for a goal kick.
As the minutes ticked by, both teams knew only one goal was in this and Liverpool knew it was there for the taking as Flanagan and Suarez tried to combine for another hopeful effort but the pass from the former was over-hit. Cue groans from the away support.
Every single misplaced pass, bad first touch, wrong decision was being derided by the ever-increasingly frustrated Arsenal fans as an Arshavin fluffed attempted cross did not appease them. Cue more groans.
As it turned out, there was one gilt-edged chance that Arsenal made to grab a winner. With five minutes remaining, and persisting with tippy-tappy football, a glorious flick by Nasri with his heel set Van Persie scampering into the area one-on-one with Reina, only for the latter to make the vital save and keep Arsenal out. That could well be the save that denied Arsenal a title. Ironic for the apparent long-term admirers of the goalkeeper.
As the fourth official announced that there would be a massive eight minutes of injury time, most fans surely would have been happy to call it a day. They will be happy they didn’t though as in the seventh minute of injury time Jay Spearing tripped Cesc Fabregas as the latter ran into the box. A blatant penalty. Van Persie duly stepped up and reignited the title challenge fire for Arsenal. Surely?
No. As in the 100th minute of the game, Eboue bundled over Lucas inside the Arsenal area as the Brazilian was running away from the Arsenal goal to gather a deflected Suarez freekick. Another penalty. Dirk Kuyt converted under supreme pressure. The final nail in Arsenal’s title dream? Perhaps.
As the sounds of the referee’s whistle ended the game and flew out of the stadium, it could well have been accompanied by Arsenal’s title hopes for another season.
Sunday, April 10, 2011
wenger -sell fab
Maybe they believed their own publicity
Maybe they were over indulged, poisoned by praise.
But Arsenal’s under-achievers have run out of excuses.
It’s a time of reckoning, of retribution.
Click here to find out more!
Those who lack spirit and a sense of responsibility should be surplus to requirements.
Cesc Fabregas has been diminished by disappointment and recurrent injury.
He should be allowed to return to Barcelona... if they will have him.
****
Which manager will summon the courage to emulate Brian Clough?
He made a point of siding with referees.
His punishment of indisciplined players was brutally public.
It carried subliminal messages of support.
Human nature ensured the benefit of the doubt went Cloughie’s way.
Who is going to be Mike Riley’s new best friend?
Maybe they were over indulged, poisoned by praise.
But Arsenal’s under-achievers have run out of excuses.
It’s a time of reckoning, of retribution.
Click here to find out more!
Those who lack spirit and a sense of responsibility should be surplus to requirements.
Cesc Fabregas has been diminished by disappointment and recurrent injury.
He should be allowed to return to Barcelona... if they will have him.
****
Which manager will summon the courage to emulate Brian Clough?
He made a point of siding with referees.
His punishment of indisciplined players was brutally public.
It carried subliminal messages of support.
Human nature ensured the benefit of the doubt went Cloughie’s way.
Who is going to be Mike Riley’s new best friend?
wenger must change his way
It is just like having a row with your favourite uncle.
You love him, think the world of him and never dreamed it could come to this.
But that is exactly what has happened among Arsenal fans, and it is Arsene Wenger who is playing the role as lovable ageing relative.
It's hard to contemplate life without him, but he's upset you, you're angry and, no matter how much you love him, your patience is being tested.
Click here to find out more!
Trouble is, some of the family are on your side but the majority are staying loyal to Uncle Arsene. If my family is anything to go by, no wonder passions are running high. There's a nasty split.
And that is certainly what happened at the Emirates on Saturday. Hard to believe that a place labelled The Library (a nickname brought across from Highbury) by cynics and frequented by Islington's latte sipping classes could arouse such anger.
But fights broke out at the Emirates during and after Saturday's goalless draw with Blackburn, and dear old Uncle Arsene was the cause.
They were just odd pockets of scuffles and would usually be glossed over at some clubs. But civil war has broken out at Arsenal, and you can only hope the club's hierarchy are listening.
There is one obvious way to broker peace talks - and that is for Arsenal to win a trophy. Sadly for Arsenal fans, their last remaining hope from their quadruple dream is the Premier League title and they are seven points adrift of Manchester United.
Fulham now have their statue of Michael Jackson. Arsenal need one of Jim Bowen with the inscription underneath: "Look what you could have won."
The fights at the Emirates, from what I'm told, consisted of people abusing certain players (Manuel Almunia), then turning their annoyance towards the manager, and leaving even earlier than usual in protest.
Wenger loyalists defended the team and the manager's honour. There were pushes and scuffles, and even fists. Staff handing out Club Level renewal forms - with tickets going up by 6.5 per cent next season - also got stick.
That's one of the grievances. Arsenal are charging top dollar for tickets but are buying at the bargain basement. Example: Sebastien Squillaci. Forget what happened to Tottenham in Madrid, Squillaci is not a patch on William Gallas.
The truth is that Arsenal and Wenger have not listened to their fans. Everyone in January was saying that Arsenal should buy reinforcements, particularly in central defence.
But Wenger didn't want to pay over the odds for Gary Cahill even though, the critics argue, they're happy to charge over the odds for expensive tickets.
It's easy for journalists, pundits and ex-players to stand up for Wenger. He is, after all, the most successful manager in the club's post-war history. Probably the greatest of all time.
But that is to ignore what the fans are saying. They know they are lucky to be in the top four each and every year. But do you win a trophy for that? No. That might be the measure of success for the club, but not for the fans.
Arsenal fans want some silverware. You don't get a cup for finishing third. And if the club ignore that then they are being extremely foolish.
They're not a finishing school, or a business with a plan of getting in the Champions League each season.
Arsenal also isn't merely a theatre run just to put on pretty football. If you want the theatre then go to The Old Vic.
It is a football club with fans who desperately want to win things. The fans are getting restless because, being realistic, it is going to be six years this summer since they last did.
Wenger set out his long term plan and kept faith with players who have time and again not realised their potential and yet they are still on the scene.
Arsenal used to buy proven quality. Gilberto Silva and Thierry Henry were World Cup winners when they arrived. Arsenal don't buy from that bracket anymore.
But just imagine what a few experienced, quality players alongside the likes of Jack Wilshere, Samir Nasri and Robin van Persie could achieve. What an incredible prospect.
Wilshere is going to rule the world, so why not complement him with more world class talent?
I still think the majority of Arsenal fans are backing Wenger. But even many of those want him to change his ways and to buy better players.
Sadly, there is a growing minority who aren't backing Wenger. There's a few fringe groups who want change now. They want a new manager this summer.
They want that change because the club has ignored them in the past couple of summers and their dissent and frustration has grown.
They were the ones who were shouting the odds on Saturday. And the trouble is, Arsenal desperately need to listen to them. They need to address issues to stop even the ardent Wenger loyalists from growing disillusioned.
This is not about getting rid of the manager. It's about getting the manager to tweak his philosophy. David Dein used to have his ear. Who does that now? Who tells him that a new player is needed or a change in the set-up?
I often joke that Wenger will decide when it's time for the board to sack him. But that's the truth. His contract expires in 2014 and don't expect him to leave before then.
What must be ensured is that he retires on a high and in glory. He's been a brilliant manager for Arsenal, the Premier League and for the footballing world. He deserves better than an ugly, painful exit.
However, for Wenger to go out on a high, he needs to change. That much is obvious. The last six years hasn't worked. His faith in players is admirable but when will Denilson, Diaby, Rosicky, Eboue and so on ever realise their potential?
It is time for change and it's no secret - he has hinted as much publicly - that Wenger is planning a clear out and shake-up.
But the players coming in have to be of proven quality. Forget the £2m bargains or free transfers. It's time to spend £18m on Cahill and a similar amount on a striker. A midfielder would be good, too.
Don't believe the nonsense about not being any money. There is money. Wenger has chosen not to spend it. He didn't want to pay over the odds.
But fans won't stomach that much longer. They also don't want to hear conspiracy theories about playing on a Sunday after Manchester United.
The league programme is set out, 38 games, 19 home and 19 away. It's open to everyone. Same rules, same refs, no mystery men at the Premier League plotting Arsenal's downfall. Fergie doesn't think he gets a fair deal either. It's Paranoia City.
Wenger still has the majority of the fans. But the boss of any company would be foolish not to listen to the concerns of their backers, be it shareholders or fans.
They want top quality, proven signings, strength in depth, leaders and a trophy. You can't have one without the other.
And unless Wenger addresses the key issues this summer, expect more fisticuffs next season. And what a shame that would be for one of the all-time greats to see his reign end in bitter disappointment.
You love him, think the world of him and never dreamed it could come to this.
But that is exactly what has happened among Arsenal fans, and it is Arsene Wenger who is playing the role as lovable ageing relative.
It's hard to contemplate life without him, but he's upset you, you're angry and, no matter how much you love him, your patience is being tested.
Click here to find out more!
Trouble is, some of the family are on your side but the majority are staying loyal to Uncle Arsene. If my family is anything to go by, no wonder passions are running high. There's a nasty split.
And that is certainly what happened at the Emirates on Saturday. Hard to believe that a place labelled The Library (a nickname brought across from Highbury) by cynics and frequented by Islington's latte sipping classes could arouse such anger.
But fights broke out at the Emirates during and after Saturday's goalless draw with Blackburn, and dear old Uncle Arsene was the cause.
They were just odd pockets of scuffles and would usually be glossed over at some clubs. But civil war has broken out at Arsenal, and you can only hope the club's hierarchy are listening.
There is one obvious way to broker peace talks - and that is for Arsenal to win a trophy. Sadly for Arsenal fans, their last remaining hope from their quadruple dream is the Premier League title and they are seven points adrift of Manchester United.
Fulham now have their statue of Michael Jackson. Arsenal need one of Jim Bowen with the inscription underneath: "Look what you could have won."
The fights at the Emirates, from what I'm told, consisted of people abusing certain players (Manuel Almunia), then turning their annoyance towards the manager, and leaving even earlier than usual in protest.
Wenger loyalists defended the team and the manager's honour. There were pushes and scuffles, and even fists. Staff handing out Club Level renewal forms - with tickets going up by 6.5 per cent next season - also got stick.
That's one of the grievances. Arsenal are charging top dollar for tickets but are buying at the bargain basement. Example: Sebastien Squillaci. Forget what happened to Tottenham in Madrid, Squillaci is not a patch on William Gallas.
The truth is that Arsenal and Wenger have not listened to their fans. Everyone in January was saying that Arsenal should buy reinforcements, particularly in central defence.
But Wenger didn't want to pay over the odds for Gary Cahill even though, the critics argue, they're happy to charge over the odds for expensive tickets.
It's easy for journalists, pundits and ex-players to stand up for Wenger. He is, after all, the most successful manager in the club's post-war history. Probably the greatest of all time.
But that is to ignore what the fans are saying. They know they are lucky to be in the top four each and every year. But do you win a trophy for that? No. That might be the measure of success for the club, but not for the fans.
Arsenal fans want some silverware. You don't get a cup for finishing third. And if the club ignore that then they are being extremely foolish.
They're not a finishing school, or a business with a plan of getting in the Champions League each season.
Arsenal also isn't merely a theatre run just to put on pretty football. If you want the theatre then go to The Old Vic.
It is a football club with fans who desperately want to win things. The fans are getting restless because, being realistic, it is going to be six years this summer since they last did.
Wenger set out his long term plan and kept faith with players who have time and again not realised their potential and yet they are still on the scene.
Arsenal used to buy proven quality. Gilberto Silva and Thierry Henry were World Cup winners when they arrived. Arsenal don't buy from that bracket anymore.
But just imagine what a few experienced, quality players alongside the likes of Jack Wilshere, Samir Nasri and Robin van Persie could achieve. What an incredible prospect.
Wilshere is going to rule the world, so why not complement him with more world class talent?
I still think the majority of Arsenal fans are backing Wenger. But even many of those want him to change his ways and to buy better players.
Sadly, there is a growing minority who aren't backing Wenger. There's a few fringe groups who want change now. They want a new manager this summer.
They want that change because the club has ignored them in the past couple of summers and their dissent and frustration has grown.
They were the ones who were shouting the odds on Saturday. And the trouble is, Arsenal desperately need to listen to them. They need to address issues to stop even the ardent Wenger loyalists from growing disillusioned.
This is not about getting rid of the manager. It's about getting the manager to tweak his philosophy. David Dein used to have his ear. Who does that now? Who tells him that a new player is needed or a change in the set-up?
I often joke that Wenger will decide when it's time for the board to sack him. But that's the truth. His contract expires in 2014 and don't expect him to leave before then.
What must be ensured is that he retires on a high and in glory. He's been a brilliant manager for Arsenal, the Premier League and for the footballing world. He deserves better than an ugly, painful exit.
However, for Wenger to go out on a high, he needs to change. That much is obvious. The last six years hasn't worked. His faith in players is admirable but when will Denilson, Diaby, Rosicky, Eboue and so on ever realise their potential?
It is time for change and it's no secret - he has hinted as much publicly - that Wenger is planning a clear out and shake-up.
But the players coming in have to be of proven quality. Forget the £2m bargains or free transfers. It's time to spend £18m on Cahill and a similar amount on a striker. A midfielder would be good, too.
Don't believe the nonsense about not being any money. There is money. Wenger has chosen not to spend it. He didn't want to pay over the odds.
But fans won't stomach that much longer. They also don't want to hear conspiracy theories about playing on a Sunday after Manchester United.
The league programme is set out, 38 games, 19 home and 19 away. It's open to everyone. Same rules, same refs, no mystery men at the Premier League plotting Arsenal's downfall. Fergie doesn't think he gets a fair deal either. It's Paranoia City.
Wenger still has the majority of the fans. But the boss of any company would be foolish not to listen to the concerns of their backers, be it shareholders or fans.
They want top quality, proven signings, strength in depth, leaders and a trophy. You can't have one without the other.
And unless Wenger addresses the key issues this summer, expect more fisticuffs next season. And what a shame that would be for one of the all-time greats to see his reign end in bitter disappointment.
question and answer session with wenger
n all of my years covering Arsenal, including almost all of Arsene Wenger's reign, rarely have I seen the manager been so upset, passionate and defiant at a press conference as he was yesterday afternoon.
After a week of unprecedented criticism from fans in which even the Arsenal Supporters' Trust expressed their "considerable disappointment", Wenger had to face some tough questions.
Questions on whether this season had been a failure, his spending policy, why is there not more experience and whether he'd walk away if fans continued to be so upset.
At Arsenal press conferences (both pre-match and after games), they do a section in front of the cameras and then they are switched off for the written media to put their questions. This is not filmed.
Click here to find out more!
In the past, Wenger has always enjoyed a good cordial relationship with the written media but, understandably, defended his players, the club and his own record with passionate replies to some tough questions.
Here is the transcript from Friday's written press conference.
Q: You've had a fantastic career here and no-one is disputing that, but can you understand why some supporters wish there was a bit more experience there, thinking about what you may achieved if there was?
A: "I'm against superficial judgement, that's what I fight against. For example people ask 'why don't you buy central defenders?' We have a better defence than Man United if you look at the numbers, but nobody mentions that. And should we kick Vermaelen, Djourou and Szczesny out? What for?
Q: You said the team had done well for its age, so isn't experience an issue?
A: "We've done well for our age as we're second in the league. Is that a disaster for you? There are teams who invest ten times more than us, one player cost more than the whole team and they're behind us. I don't understand the way people think.
Q: It's what the supporters are thinking though, that's the issue.
A: "Do not hide behind what the supporters think, tell me what you think. You do not know what the supporters think because what people write is only 5 per cent of what they see on the internet. There are 95 per cent others.
Q: But it's not my money, it's the supporters who are paying to watch:
A: "How many supporters are complaining?"
Q: But there were people complaining after the Blackburn match.
A: "At every game I find people complaining. What are you talking about? I don't understand supporters complaining."
Q: Compared to four years ago, they weren't complaining, because it wasn't so long without a trophy?
A: "Do you judge this season or the last four seasons? Some of the clubs behind us have done nothing for 20 years, yet suddenly they get a lot of praise. I don't understand. We have eight games to go and are in a position to fight for the Championship so let's give the maximum. If we're disappointed at the end then okay. Why do you say it's a disaster when we're second in the league? Do the 18 clubs behind us have a fantastic disaster?"
Q: Are you a victim of your own success?
A: "I'm a victim of nothing. I try to do my job as well as I can, and that's it."
Q: But you are judged against your own success?
A: "I told you just now. To be consistent at the top level is the most difficult and important thing in our job. We've been in the Champions League for 15 years, and there's only two clubs who've done that in this country. It's Arsenal and Man United."
Q: Arsene, everyone respects the job you've done, but shouldn't a club like Arsenal be judged on the trophies they win? And obviously in the last six years there haven't been any trophies?
A: "Trophies are one way to judge a club."
Q: Are trophies an over rated way to judge success?
A: "They're not overrated as it allows you to say you've won a trophy, but would you swap winning the FA Cup for playing in the Champions League? Is it a trophy or not to be in the Champions League? Is it more important to win the FA Cup? We do as well as we can, and if it's not good enough it's not good enough. But what I deny is that everything is suddenly negative. We've built this club. Tomorrow, you look at the players in this team and I'll speak to you in 10 years."
Q: We know you've had some fabulous offers to leave this club - Real Madrid, Barcelona and Manchester City - if this continues will it make you think about leaving, if you're not being appreciated?
A: "I don't think about leaving. I love this club and do the maximum for them. I don't think like that. When I make a commitment I give absolutely everything. At the end of the season I'll look back and see what we've done well and not done well. We should not go overboard. We're second in the league so it's not a scandal. Where is the common sense there?
"I do as well as I can with the players I have. What's important for me is how well we do. All the rest I don't care about.
Q: Where would this club be without you, Arsene?
A: "I don't know where Arsenal would be without me, maybe better, maybe worse. I hope one day maybe better. I'm happy that the club goes on and gets better. But we shouldn't think we have the right to be where we are."
Q: I've rarely seen you so passionate, so upset, are you hurt?
A: "I'm not hurt at all, but I defend what we do here and the way we do it. That's all. I don't see why we should be negative when we're going for the Championship. I'm having to answer why it's a disaster. I'll have to stop talking and you write what you want. If I cannot defend that, we're second in the league and fighting for the Championship then I should stay at home, but I'm in a fighting job."
Q: Arsene, sometimes there's a criticism that you don't sign the quality of player that you used to. Have you had a change in policy?
A: "Of course, we've had a change in policy to sign younger players. It's important for football that there's another way then to just come in, put money on the table and buy a star. I feel it's very important for football."
Q: Can you expand on that?
A: "No, I don't want to expand on that. The way we are doing things is right. Personally, I'm rather proud of this team, proud of the players, if I look at this team I'm proud of them, proud of the attitude of the players and the football we play. It's only in this country that we have to face what we face. If you go anywhere else in the world Arsenal are given much more credit, I can tell you."
Q: You spoke about the age gap to Barcelona as perhaps one reason why you haven't won trophies, but how will that change if you're always bringing younger and younger players into the squad?
A: "That's why it's important to keep these players together."
Q: What about the stadium. It's important to get into the piece, to be positive, to get into the piece, because that impacted on your spending and yet no-one's talking about that? You haven't then been able to sign big players?
A: "Nobody talks about the fact we built a new stadium. We have many big players in this team, and the future will tell you that. Whether they play here or somewhere else, you'll realise they're big players."
Arsenal chairman brands own supporters as 'silly people' who 'do quite a lot of damage'
After a week of unprecedented criticism from fans in which even the Arsenal Supporters' Trust expressed their "considerable disappointment", Wenger had to face some tough questions.
Questions on whether this season had been a failure, his spending policy, why is there not more experience and whether he'd walk away if fans continued to be so upset.
At Arsenal press conferences (both pre-match and after games), they do a section in front of the cameras and then they are switched off for the written media to put their questions. This is not filmed.
Click here to find out more!
In the past, Wenger has always enjoyed a good cordial relationship with the written media but, understandably, defended his players, the club and his own record with passionate replies to some tough questions.
Here is the transcript from Friday's written press conference.
Q: You've had a fantastic career here and no-one is disputing that, but can you understand why some supporters wish there was a bit more experience there, thinking about what you may achieved if there was?
A: "I'm against superficial judgement, that's what I fight against. For example people ask 'why don't you buy central defenders?' We have a better defence than Man United if you look at the numbers, but nobody mentions that. And should we kick Vermaelen, Djourou and Szczesny out? What for?
Q: You said the team had done well for its age, so isn't experience an issue?
A: "We've done well for our age as we're second in the league. Is that a disaster for you? There are teams who invest ten times more than us, one player cost more than the whole team and they're behind us. I don't understand the way people think.
Q: It's what the supporters are thinking though, that's the issue.
A: "Do not hide behind what the supporters think, tell me what you think. You do not know what the supporters think because what people write is only 5 per cent of what they see on the internet. There are 95 per cent others.
Q: But it's not my money, it's the supporters who are paying to watch:
A: "How many supporters are complaining?"
Q: But there were people complaining after the Blackburn match.
A: "At every game I find people complaining. What are you talking about? I don't understand supporters complaining."
Q: Compared to four years ago, they weren't complaining, because it wasn't so long without a trophy?
A: "Do you judge this season or the last four seasons? Some of the clubs behind us have done nothing for 20 years, yet suddenly they get a lot of praise. I don't understand. We have eight games to go and are in a position to fight for the Championship so let's give the maximum. If we're disappointed at the end then okay. Why do you say it's a disaster when we're second in the league? Do the 18 clubs behind us have a fantastic disaster?"
Q: Are you a victim of your own success?
A: "I'm a victim of nothing. I try to do my job as well as I can, and that's it."
Q: But you are judged against your own success?
A: "I told you just now. To be consistent at the top level is the most difficult and important thing in our job. We've been in the Champions League for 15 years, and there's only two clubs who've done that in this country. It's Arsenal and Man United."
Q: Arsene, everyone respects the job you've done, but shouldn't a club like Arsenal be judged on the trophies they win? And obviously in the last six years there haven't been any trophies?
A: "Trophies are one way to judge a club."
Q: Are trophies an over rated way to judge success?
A: "They're not overrated as it allows you to say you've won a trophy, but would you swap winning the FA Cup for playing in the Champions League? Is it a trophy or not to be in the Champions League? Is it more important to win the FA Cup? We do as well as we can, and if it's not good enough it's not good enough. But what I deny is that everything is suddenly negative. We've built this club. Tomorrow, you look at the players in this team and I'll speak to you in 10 years."
Q: We know you've had some fabulous offers to leave this club - Real Madrid, Barcelona and Manchester City - if this continues will it make you think about leaving, if you're not being appreciated?
A: "I don't think about leaving. I love this club and do the maximum for them. I don't think like that. When I make a commitment I give absolutely everything. At the end of the season I'll look back and see what we've done well and not done well. We should not go overboard. We're second in the league so it's not a scandal. Where is the common sense there?
"I do as well as I can with the players I have. What's important for me is how well we do. All the rest I don't care about.
Q: Where would this club be without you, Arsene?
A: "I don't know where Arsenal would be without me, maybe better, maybe worse. I hope one day maybe better. I'm happy that the club goes on and gets better. But we shouldn't think we have the right to be where we are."
Q: I've rarely seen you so passionate, so upset, are you hurt?
A: "I'm not hurt at all, but I defend what we do here and the way we do it. That's all. I don't see why we should be negative when we're going for the Championship. I'm having to answer why it's a disaster. I'll have to stop talking and you write what you want. If I cannot defend that, we're second in the league and fighting for the Championship then I should stay at home, but I'm in a fighting job."
Q: Arsene, sometimes there's a criticism that you don't sign the quality of player that you used to. Have you had a change in policy?
A: "Of course, we've had a change in policy to sign younger players. It's important for football that there's another way then to just come in, put money on the table and buy a star. I feel it's very important for football."
Q: Can you expand on that?
A: "No, I don't want to expand on that. The way we are doing things is right. Personally, I'm rather proud of this team, proud of the players, if I look at this team I'm proud of them, proud of the attitude of the players and the football we play. It's only in this country that we have to face what we face. If you go anywhere else in the world Arsenal are given much more credit, I can tell you."
Q: You spoke about the age gap to Barcelona as perhaps one reason why you haven't won trophies, but how will that change if you're always bringing younger and younger players into the squad?
A: "That's why it's important to keep these players together."
Q: What about the stadium. It's important to get into the piece, to be positive, to get into the piece, because that impacted on your spending and yet no-one's talking about that? You haven't then been able to sign big players?
A: "Nobody talks about the fact we built a new stadium. We have many big players in this team, and the future will tell you that. Whether they play here or somewhere else, you'll realise they're big players."
Arsenal chairman brands own supporters as 'silly people' who 'do quite a lot of damage'
wenger with bad boy rooney
Arsene Wenger today ripped up the prospectus for his exclusive Arsenal School and admitted that taking on so many impeccably behaved pupils had taken his football finishing school in the wrong direction.
Six years without any awards tells its own story. Despite appearing attractive on the surface, the curriculum at the Arsenal school of science has become sterile.
Some devilment and steel is needed, particularly at the front of the class, although two uncompromising scholars at the back would not go amiss either.
Wayne Rooney, at the Manchester United academy, has been up before the headmaster on numerous occasions but continues to deliver his work on time with impressive results.
Click here to find out more!
Wenger has now decided to broaden his intake next term and consider those who have been in trouble in the past and who are repeat offenders. Joey Barton need not apply.
The Arsenal academics have often presented a goody-goody image that has been easy to overcome.
Expect a scholarship being awarded to Gennaro Gattuso of the Institute of Milan (primarily for his head butt on Joe Jordan.)
Read more: http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/columnists/terry-butcher/Terry-Butcher-column-Why-Arsene-Wenger-could-do-with-a-bad-boy-like-Wayne-Rooney-at-his-Arsenal-Academy-of-Excellence-article721762.html#ixzz1JDXlpCW0
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Six years without any awards tells its own story. Despite appearing attractive on the surface, the curriculum at the Arsenal school of science has become sterile.
Some devilment and steel is needed, particularly at the front of the class, although two uncompromising scholars at the back would not go amiss either.
Wayne Rooney, at the Manchester United academy, has been up before the headmaster on numerous occasions but continues to deliver his work on time with impressive results.
Click here to find out more!
Wenger has now decided to broaden his intake next term and consider those who have been in trouble in the past and who are repeat offenders. Joey Barton need not apply.
The Arsenal academics have often presented a goody-goody image that has been easy to overcome.
Expect a scholarship being awarded to Gennaro Gattuso of the Institute of Milan (primarily for his head butt on Joe Jordan.)
Read more: http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/columnists/terry-butcher/Terry-Butcher-column-Why-Arsene-Wenger-could-do-with-a-bad-boy-like-Wayne-Rooney-at-his-Arsenal-Academy-of-Excellence-article721762.html#ixzz1JDXlpCW0
Sign up for MirrorFootball's Morning Spy newsletter Register here
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