Apr 12
Wenger Whines Again
It is not in my nature to necessarily pick on people’s misery, especially if it comes from a person known for his serial whingeries (I take the liberty of ‘inventing’ such a word). But sometimes they take whining to an entirely new level that it becomes hard to ignore.
On the eve of United’s clash with Arsenal, Arsene Wenger let’s fly his agony missiles.
I will attempt to quote some of the stuff on offer, but if you think I may be taking things out of context, then here’s the link to the video of his pre-match press conference for you to see.
“It has been a very difficult week - the hardest of the season. In terms of the decisions going against us, this is the worst I’ve seen in my 11 years at Arsenal. This team has been punished in the last seven weeks more than any team I have seen in England since I arrived here. Every single decision has gone against this team in every single game recently.”
While it is fair to see that they were hard done by two penalty decisions against the ‘dippers, it’s hard to understand what he’s on about his team being targeted like there was some conspiracy against his club. If there was any conspiracy, the London hacks love your club and your brand of football. But then I am not one to believe that either.
It’s okay to say that a few decisions do go against your team, but use of blanket statements like “the team has been punished more than any team” and superlatives like “the worst I’ve seen in my 11 years” make it sound immature coming from a person who’s been labelled as the Professor.
And to balance things out he says:
“I don’t want to make a big fuss of the refereeing decisions because I cannot change that and I do not want to focus on that. I want to focus on what I can improve, but the least you can say that it has not helped us.”
Really Arsene? After using those words, do you think you can be made to look all wise by merely saying you cannot make a big fuss about it?
Arsenal have dropped points like a blind man on roller blades would drop a plate full of eggs. A team at the top of the table five points ahead at one stage, would now go nine points behind if they lose to us on Sunday. They are not just off the pace, but are now third in the table behind a side that’s being managed by a toad.
I am not saying that things are all doom and gloom for the Gunners. They still have a good structure for bringing in youth, but they need to focus on their depth (read: bringing in one world class player or two) and recognise the real problem afflicting their side — which is a lack of leadership and mental fortitude. And Arsene complaining about decisions won’t really help bring out the best in players. (And I don’t want to get started on their captain.)
End of a rare rant on other football clubs. We’ll return to regular United discussions tomorrow. Watch this space for the Arsenal preview and other news.
- Rooney Wants Chelsea. Patient Fletch. Wenger Hates Showboating.
- Wenger Speaks Sense As Platini Loses his Mind
- Short Thursday Roundup
- Real Cough Up Money for Wheinze | Benitez Moans and Whines
- Sir Alex Ferguson’s Successor
Tags: Opinions/Columns
April 12th, 2008 at 1:56
Why wouldn’t everyone in England be against a team that has one English player on their entire roster? Wenger has a bit of a point because he was screwed over against Liverpool. Hate him or not, he has somewhat of point. Problem is he goes too far with his whining and cries bloody murder about fouls and penalties but he forgets the nastiness and clear skulduggery of some of his players most notably Eboue and Gallas. Eboue is one of the dirtiest players in the game and he has gotten away with bad fouls all season. Still, how can you not say that the penalty decisions given and not given probably cost them the CL? His other big problem is that like Fergie he never took advantage of the January transfer window. His team is dead tired and it shows while he and the club are so cheap. Sometimes you have to stop treating the team as Wenger’s personal soccer academy and sign some qualified and proven players.
Finally, he gets his just desert every week from the Jose Mourinho puppet Mr. Alex on “I’m On Setanta Sports”. They really pick on the “Voyeur” big time. “Wenger shutup”. I think he is getting so frustrated that I would not be surprised to see him leave at season’s end. I’m totally serious about this. And wouldn’t Mourinho love to manage Arsenal.
April 12th, 2008 at 2:16
I was really surprised to see this headline at RR.com pop up on manunews.com. Anyway, I do sympathetic towards him, but he has taken his whining to another level. Does he thinks that greatness comes that cheaply? He has got to change. Buy quality and experienced campaigners and have a bigger squad. It is a pity that the fools were able to beat them with their 4-4-2. Rafa was able to change, although it was a bad decision, but Wenger simply could not take advantage.
Well Wenger… it seems like it is all your fault. But of course it is not. Yeah, and they really do pick on him on Setanta Sports.
April 12th, 2008 at 2:28
All the decisions went L’pools way - Arsenal were done by the ref in both CL games. The scousers always seem to get the big decisions in CL games - they did Chelsea with dodgy goal too. I hope the Pool’s luck runs out in the CL and teams like Arsenal get some justice. Yeah Wengers the mother of all whingers, but he is right about some big decisions going against his team lately. I think he is whinging before the game with us though, with the devious aim that the ref will sympathise, and look to give decisions against us. Isn’t that what managers of teams coming to Old Trafford always do?.
April 12th, 2008 at 5:14
[Craig mc and Grognard]
I agree he had a point about the Liverpool games, but to say that he’s been unfairly dealt with for the past 7 weeks is a jump too far, I’d have to say.
April 12th, 2008 at 6:27
Craig; Fergie perfected the pre match mind games when it comes to referees. I’m surprised he isn’t outdoing Wenger with this mind play this week. Wenger is seeing the dream slip away and after having lead in the league for so long this season, he is having a hard time dealing with the fact that the referees, his tired players and his poor decision making have cost them. Also, he should give United credit for getting the job done and not losing their focus. The difference between us and them was beautifully accentuated on Wednesday night. SQUAD DEPTH! We have it and he wished he had it.
April 12th, 2008 at 6:37
Gorgnard: 2 players … Walcott and Hoyte.. but not like it makes a damn difference.. you’re right
April 12th, 2008 at 7:47
I think this article, and some of the comments, are verging on arrogance. I’m not saying that the whinning isn’t there, because it most cetainly is.
What I refer to is the fact that Arsenal are only one victory away from being back in the title race… it’s only one match guys. Yes they’ve looked week of late, but that doesn’t change the fact that they are still contenders, if they win tomorrow.
It’s just close to arrogance saying they messed up this season, when they got kicked out of the CL because of 2 decisions that went against them. Had the penalty decisions gone their way, it would be them in the semis. It’s that close.
Yes they have thrown away their lead in the PL, but they still have a shot.
However, if we beat them tomorrow, their season is over, and then I feel, it’s justified going at them like this. It’s just a bit too early for me today.
April 12th, 2008 at 8:12
[Tomas]
The emphasis of the article is on Arsene’s whining and not Arsenal’s season. Secondly, if Arsenal are to win the title this season, it would be because United and Chelsea would have thrown it away. Still, that would not take away the fact that Arsenal would still need to bulk up their squad, whether they win the title or not. I’m sorry, but, I have to say, you missed the point here.
And I am not belittling them here, just saying the facts. They have dropped a ridiculous number of points having been 5 points ahead of us. If we do go on a horror run from now on then fine, we don’t deserve the title then. The table does not lie. I am talking about what I’ve seen from Arsenal so far. So I see nothing wrong in saying that. As I said, it’s a rare rant from me on another club. The next one will probably be after the season gets over.
April 12th, 2008 at 8:27
Like RR said, we would have to go on a complete horror run for Arsenal to snatch the trophy. Remember its not just 6 points behind. You have to take in to account United’s far superior goal difference. For Arsenal to have a chance, we would have to drop 7 points while they win 5 in a row. Now honestly, can you see them doing that based on their recent form, and can you see us dropping so many points with only 5 games remaining? Impossible? No. Improbable? Yes. Chelsea have the only real chance of taking the title from us, and even they will need to basically win the rest of the way and hope for us to drop 4 points. I just don’t see it happening. United haven’t fought this long and this hard to let it slip away. It’s not in United’s makeup. We are not Blackburn, Newcastle or Arsenal of past years that choked it at the end. We have Fergie and we are Man Utd. FAITH!
April 12th, 2008 at 9:16
yea he is a bit of a whinge isn’t he, he is blaming everyone else apart from himself, they need a star player, a proper captain and a couple versatile players as well.
April 12th, 2008 at 9:34
RR - you clearly make 2 points in your article. One is about the whinning, and the other is about the structure of their club, and how their squad isn’t strong enough.
What I’m saying is that it looks that way, but after tomorrow things can look different. If we lose at home, they’ll be only 3 points after, and we still have to go to Stamford.
I’m not saying what’s going to happen - only how a, hopefully unlikely, scenario might unfold. And based on the possiblity of that, I think it’s a “I-know-what-you-did-wrong”-like even before they’re completely out of the race. In my view, if they should win the title, you’d have no right to critisize their squad.
But hopefully I’ll be able to agree with you tomorrow.
April 12th, 2008 at 9:57
[Tomas]
I said their structure is good. And I stand by it.
I said their squad is not good enough, and even if they were to win their title, I would still stand by it. Their squad is not deep enough, like it or not. And it is a fact even echoed by most Arsenal fans. If they are to win the title, it would be because of United or Chelsea throwing it away — it would be despite Arsenal’s thin squad.
Their first XI is quality, no doubt. But it’s their back up that isn’t, at the moment.
And my point is about Arsene’s whining about referees and why he should concentrate on his squad more than his club. The squad part was to give some context to his problems — it’s not a separate independent point in the article.
April 12th, 2008 at 11:32
I guess that’s a matter of interpretation - you can’t write something and expect it not to be regarded as a point made.
April 12th, 2008 at 11:44
How do you instill mental fortitude in a side when your manager complains about vengeful demigods punishing the club?
It’s almost as if Wenger is saying that people can’t handle their beautiful brand of football and thus lash out in any way possible, be it kicking them off the park or cheating them out of titles.
I agree with Wenger on one thing - the decisions in the two Champions League games went against them. What happened against Birmingham certainly didn’t help.
Tomas - you said:
In my view, if they should win the title, you’d have no right to critisize their squad.
Hope you don’t mind if I prove you wrong there?
Manchester United won the league last season (yea, we really did). We did it with a weak squad, one that needed reinforcements in the 06 summer and yet Ferguson went after 2 midfielders only - Carrick (who came) and Hargreaves (who came next season).
United’s squad was weak and needed improvements, but we still won the title.
Or did we lose our rights to criticise them just because they won?
RR - the toad bit is unfair, ainnit?
Grog - It might be just me, but all I hear about when people talk about Arsenal is their ‘beautiful game’, as if no other club comes close to replicating that day in and day out on the football pitch. The world may not be Arsenal-friendly, but it certainly does buy into the false hype.
April 12th, 2008 at 13:02
Self pity is an indulgent emotion and is not helping Arsenal. In the course of a season every team gets injuries, decisions going against them, disappoinments.
Ferguson and Mourinho complained, but that was really to create a “us against the world mentality” which was used as a powerful motivator creating a siege mentality which resulted in the players pulling together.
When Wenger complains it just comes across as petty and trying to shift the blame, to the point where the players almost expect to lose, because of the dark forces conspiring against them.
Arsenal have over-performed this season, playing some beautiful football. But they lack the grit and experience to grind out results, and it is proving too easy to throw Arsenal off their rhythm and derail them.
Their squad is too weak. When Eduardo was injured they did not have an adequate replacement as Van Persie is not match fit and Walcott still too inconsistent. Similarly the loss of Flamini will hurt them. They also have a bit of a hole in central defence.
April 12th, 2008 at 13:37
Ahmed - can’t see how you proved me wrong. It’s just you opinion against mine. Our squad last season was strong enough to win the title but not to win the cl as well (or could it have been, had we not lost our entire defense within a couple of weeks?).
Yes we needed a stronger squad to win both titles, but then again, I doubt we’ve ever had winning both the CL and the PL as goals for a succesful season. I’m pretty sure, Arsenal’s goal of the season was to win the PL or the CL… not both. So if they win one of them (which hopefully they don’t), your cannot critisize their squad, since they completed their mission. It’s like saying that you didn’t complete a marathon, because your time was 5 minutes too slow of what someone else thought it should be.
Of course it’s just my assessment of what goals clubs have, and you may try to argue otherwise.
It’s become a bad habbit critisizing teams and players even when they are succesful, simply because they’re not succesful enough. Ronaldo - still - gets stick when he falls as long as he isn’t awarded a freekick, even if he was fouled.
Wenger trusts his team, and therefore it’s strong enough, as long as he wins something (because titles are a must for their club). If he doesn’t win anything, he should be critisized, because then he has misjudged the strength of his team. What I’m saying is that as long as he’s in it, he should be given some credit.
April 12th, 2008 at 13:53
Ahmed: The most beautiful football is a myth peddled by the London based press. They play extremely good short range pass and move football. When they are on their game the passing triangles etc they play are very aesthetically pleasing. But the idea that they play the best football is press induced hype. Personally I (and many people I know) prefer fast counter attacking football and good wing play to Arsenal’s style.
Personally I think Wenger has turned his squad into some big experiment to prove he can win the title on a modest budget with mainly young players. His decisions seem to be more based on this objective rather than what’s in the best interests of the club. I hear Arsenal fans talking about not wanting to turn into Chelsea and that is fair enough. But going out and spending £20m on a top class centre half and another £20m on a top class winger doesn’t exactly make them Chelsea does it? He needs to go out and buy a few proven, seasoned pros but I get the impression he won’t as he is trying to make a point.
I always had a soft spot for the 98 Arsenal side. It could go out and out play you but if it needed to roll its sleeves up and get stuck in, they would. That was a team full of men and characters. The same was true (to a slightly lesser extent) of the 02 and 04 sides. I look at his current team and I don’t see that, too many players seem to shrink in the face of adversity, in comparison to some of their predecessors who thrived on it.
April 12th, 2008 at 15:42
Ahmed asked - “How do you instill mental fortitude in a side, when your manager complains about vengeful demigods punishing the club?.” Ask Fergie and Avram Grant this question Ahmed, because in all fairness, they are very good at it too!.
Tomas, I swear you are an Arsenal fan in disguise mate!!!.
April 12th, 2008 at 15:53
That’s nice Craig.
Well, so are you then.
April 12th, 2008 at 16:25
Tomas, I was just teasing with you - NO OFFENCE intended, Okay mate?.
April 12th, 2008 at 17:06
Personally, I loooovvve thee fact that the Arse are feeling the end of season crunch.
I have to withstand the torture of watching EPL games with French commentary, and their otherwise sound commentary is always blotched by Arse-licking biased commentary. Anyone watching games on Canal+ knows what I’m talking about. Its got to the point where I hate them even more than the dippers, so I guess that’s really bad.
April 12th, 2008 at 17:26
Craig - of course mate. No worries.
April 12th, 2008 at 17:41
Did u write an article about crying when Fergie said Arsenal were given extra injury time so that they could score? we always have crap to say when the shoe is on the other foot but he should cry out if there seems that there is an injustice. All this crap about a small squad? if the refs called the game right this would not even come into the picture!
Keep moaning Wenger until someone that is brave enough takes alook at the robbery that has taken place as far asArsenal is concerned, u r not wrong!
Have some understanding, he who feels it knows it!
April 12th, 2008 at 17:48
OK, I’m going to take the role of Divil’s Advocate yet once again and really challenge some of the beliefs held in this post.
1. Regardless of my dislike for him and his team, I say how dare anyone question the ability of Wenger. He is the second best manager in the BPL and he deserves a little more respect. Yes he has made a few errors this season, most notably not taking advantage of the January transfer window but then again, injuries to Eduardo and Sagna as well as Rosicky and Hleb came after the window closed. Ask yourself in all honesty (especially you Colvin) if Fergie never dropped the ball in that regards too. You criticize Wenger for not buying another striker yet Fergie has been playing with one and a half strikers all season. Both Rooney and Tevez equal that total as neither of them is a complete striker. Saha is Balsa Boy so that obviously shows a major weakness in United’s great depth doesn’t it. If Rooney goes down, this team is screwed.
2. Wenger is a classic whiner but other than those annoying times he doesn’t see his own players commit terrible tackles, he and his team has been victimized by terrible referee calls when it comes to penalties given and not given. But lets face it here, the loudest and most punished manger for whining is Fergie. In fact, he gets called up to the board room of the league for punishment much more than Wenger because as he sees it, no referee in this league deserves their job. If those penalty decisions went against Fergie and those losses were happening to us, I can just see how how red his nose and cheeks would get then.
3. To JB and all those that love the beauty of antiquated wing play and counter attacks I say fine but Wenger’s side play beautiful football. I hate to admit this because I truly do despise them but I don’t let my bias blind me from being a fair and open minded observer.
In fact, only Arsenal, Spurs and United can be categorized as playing beautiful football, and each team does it in a different manner. Wing play with counter attacks can be beautiful if you have the talent United have, but see if it looks so good when teams like Derby or Reading try to play it. The tougher of the two styles to play is the one Arsenal play so they should get some credit for having played it well as consistently as they have.
4. Ahmed, “How do you instill mental fortitude in a side, when your manager complains about vengeful demigods punishing the club?” Pot, kettle, black! Craig was right there mate, that’s hypocrisy big time. Sure it may come as blaspheny to defend Wenger while honestly portraying Fergie in much of the same light, but somebody has to have the guts to make some of you see that fair play should not just be on the pitch. Most of Arsenal’s problem late this season has more to do with lack of experience and too much youth carrying a heavy burden of responsibility. They have caved in because they never had to handle that kind of pressure before. But what of next season or the next? They are so young and talented and this season will have taught them a big lesson. Unlike a lot of you, I may like to bad mouth the opposition like any loyal supporter but I am fair and I can admit to an opponents quality. Arsenal are a quality side with a quality manager no matter what the Mourinhio puppet says about the “Voyeur”. Yes he’s annoying and often hypocritical, but in this case, I think he is justified and all though I don’t like him or his team, I respect them both and sympathize with them a bit because I’d hate to see us get screwed over like that.
Now having said that, you’ll never ever hear me say a nice or fair thing about Rafa and the Scousers in Liverpool. They are scum and deserve all bad things that could possibly befall them. I mean I do have my tolerance level too.
April 12th, 2008 at 17:52
Its not about self pity but effecting a change, be it instant replay or the refs being called out and disciplined when they make bad calls. Do you think that football cannot be currupted? it does not take a whole lot but for someone to pay off the refs off for a parcticular match. It happened Italy and in American basketball and can happen in the EPL especially when the powers that be are never questioned and do not question their officials! its never good to be a power unto urself because absolute power corrupts many times. I do believe something is not kosher with what has happened to Arsenal, however stupid it may seem. its happened in more serious situaions than football mind u.
One more thing as football fans we should want the games to be fair even above the support for our particular club!
God Bless anyhow and i hope for a wonderful match tomorrow!
April 12th, 2008 at 18:05
Hey Grognard, as an Arsenal fan i have to say nuff respect due! i do not agree with about the youth causing the side to loose beacuse not matter how experienced u r if the refs call against u in the criticle decisions u will most probably not win regardless. I must say that i respect ur honesty and unbisaesd views. Finally someone who can undersatnd what the moaning is all about. U nknow if u throw a stone in a crowd only the person who gets hit will cry out. So its a case of walk in my shoes and tell me how u feel!
Thanks dude, i appreciate what u have sais here!
April 12th, 2008 at 21:42
Well I read this blog whenever we meet Manure, as I am in the habit of trying to see matches from the opposition’s perspective, and I find it the best balanced of MU blogs. this particular article is Irritating reading as an Arsenal fan, but I guess when everything is going for you, you have to talk about something else and it might as well be the Arsenal
April 12th, 2008 at 22:13
Looks like it isn’t just the Arsenal players and management that are prone to bouts of paranoia. Watch out for the bogeyman Paul
Grognard on your points-
1. The difference is you feel the other mangers do their up most to get their squads in good shape. With Arsene you feel he has the opportunity to sign a few seasoned pro to bulk out the squad but he chooses not to because it doesn’t fit in with his ideals. In addition, while SAF left us a striker short, that is the only glaring weakness in the squad. With Arsenal there are questions over there depth across the defence and midfield.
2. Most managers are prone to bouts of whinging. The difference is that Wenger and his players seem to dwell on it and feel victimised. SAF seems to use bad calls to try and create a siege mentality.
3. My issue wasn’t that Wenger’s side don’t play beautiful football, but is the superiority complex Arsenal fans and sections of the media of the get about the way they play. My idea of the perfect goal is the Ronaldo/Rooney counter attack at home to Bolton last year. For other people it may be a move with 20 passes and lots of neat little triangular movements etc. Yet you keep on hearing this ‘we play the bestest football ever’ myth being peddled. I for one get more pleasure from the sweeping, incisive and penetrative football United play, to the pretty and neat style of Arsenal.
4. While you are right on the experience issue, does that make it right to strip virtually all of your seasoned players away from the club. Look at the current side, who would you consider to be veterans/experienced/battle hardened? Gilberto and Lehmann have both been marginalised, so from a practical point of view that leaves only Gallas. That for me is a poor mix and an error in judgement on the managers part.
April 12th, 2008 at 23:36
Thanks for the heads up JB! i will remember to keep my lights on at nights!
I look forward to u on comedy central.
Be Good!
April 13th, 2008 at 0:00
JB; There is no doubt Wenger is a tinkerer but most of all he is has a professorial approach to the game which causes him to sacrifice certain elements in team building for youth and enthusiasm. He has treated some of his veterans abysmally. I personally feel that Lehmann is in the top 5 to 10 keepers on the planet (even at his age). Yes he makes the occasional gaff but I think he would have stopped two or three of the Liverpool goals last week also. The 4-0 loss to United could have been 9-0 or worse had he not stood on his head. Lehmann took a dislike to him because after benching him, Lehmann opened his big mouth. Strike one. You never bad mouth the manager to the media. Gilberto has been on the bench because he clearly isn’t as good as he used to be. Flamini has taken his job and that’s just plain and simple to figure out.
I too prefer the “sweeping, incisive and penetrative football” United play too but lets face it, there are only a handful of clubs on the planet that can play that style. One thing that United are also much better than Arsenal is altering their system and setup to accommodate a different pace and formation like they did at Roma. Arsene Wenger is a stubborn manager who doesn’t change things up very much because he is a bit arrogant and because he believes his players will eventually break down the other team’s defense. He is partly right when you consider how many last minute goals the team has scored to either salvage a point or a win. Still, I prefer Fergie’s tactical flexibility because much like last Wednesday, it can completely confuse another team. I’m sure Spaletti never saw the free roaming role for Hargreaves coming. It was the decisive strategic decision in the game.
My whole point was of course to point out that there is validity to some of Wenger’s whining. As you have pointed out, there is also many examples where he deserves no sympathy at all. Wenger is not stupid. I think when this season started he never really believed like last year. that his team were a real contender. They played above themselves for 6 months but have come back to Earth enough to lose out on all the silverware. But lets keep in to perspective what he has accomplished with such a young side devoid of real leadership on the field. Next year will be even tougher to keep them from taking first because they will learn from this year and their experience will be better. He should also finally spend a few pounds and buy the players that are needed to take them to the top. Another striker, goalkeeper and depth in positions where they were thin. And they need to get rid of Senderos and Eboue. The professor needs to end classes and it’s time for some of these players to graduate Wenger Academy.
April 13th, 2008 at 11:32
Grognard: Just to clear up one point which I don’t think I conveyed correctly. I don’t think Wenger was wrong to marginalise Lehmann and Gilberto specifically. What I think was a mistake was his decision to strip away virtually all of the experienced core of the club without replacing them. At the minute the only really experienced player that is part of the first team is Gallas and that isn’t enough for me. And you’re right, this season will teach the younger players alot. But if you batter their confidence too often you can scar them permanently and Wenger needs to be careful his idealism isn’t inadvertently doing them damage. After all the best habit you can get into is winning.
April 14th, 2008 at 8:59
I agree with you JB but I must say that no matter how much of a big mouth and primadonna that Lehmann has been, he doesn’t deserve to be sitting on the bench in place of a scrub like Almunia. Lehmann is a world class goalkeeper. He made one gaff early in the season and because of it he entered Wenger’s doghouse. How quickly Wenger forgot the countless games that Lehmann had one for him in the past and most memorable was the FA Cup final against United when he stood on his head and single handedly beat our lads. Sure he raised Hell his exclusion but if I was the National keeper for Germany and one of the best in the world at my position, I too would be bitching over a tier three scrub taking my place.
Wenger’s pride and arrogance and what seems to be a little bias regarding Lehaman has cost Arsenal more than 6 points this season. Although Almunia has not sucked, he rarely ever comes up with the big game save when it’s needed most. Lehmann though makes many great saves as well as lucky ones because his technique and positioning are so good. Ask yourself how many points Arsenal lost in close games where Almunia let in a goal that Lehmann probably would have stopped? And right there you have the number one reason why Arsenal are no longer a threat for the title. Experience is great but when you bench experience over a personal dislike for someone and insert inferior talent in his place, you are damaging your team’s chances. He owed the fans and paying supporters more. Arsenal deserve what they are getting and Wenger needs to assess the way he is going about the team’s internal business. Like you said the best habit to get into is winning. Winning is better than trying to make a point at the risk of everything.