Ed. Note - As always, I ask that you remember some things before posting your responses. One of the great things about Arsenal America is that everyone can have their say. You don’t get just one viewpoint. The other thing to remember is even if you disagree, please do so civily and intelligently. With that, I give you…
Before the game on Sunday Peter Hill-Wood made a very important statement about how sorry he felt about what happened last season. With that in mind, I expected Wenger to show leadership at least not emotions. People talk about passion and pride but what went on had nothing to do with both. Just imagine this had happened in a pub or on the terraces, the cops will take the fan(s) away.
Wenger is one of the best managers in modern football but lacks the skills to control his overpaid spoilt kids. You can complain and bit*h about referees but what happened after the game shows his real lack leadership when it comes to the players.
Yesterday Wenger rapped: I love football; I respect Manchester United and the referees so I don?t have any malicious ideas before games. But Manchester United did not play with the spirit I like football to be played in. I cannot agree, despite the result, with the way they approached the game.? And he insists United are to blame for the bad-tempered clash, which he believes, has damaged England?s football reputation around the world.
This is nothing but a man talking with emotions. Everyone including the blind person knew what Van Horse did but as always Arsenal FC and Club is at the attention of the media and World. The reputation of our beloved club and your whining is what folks are talking about. Turn to CNN yesterday and instead of them talking about Bush or Kerry, the future of Iraq or our good run, it was about Battle of the Buffet.
This is football. As Jeff Winter said if maybe Mr. Wenger need to sit down and watch all the 49 games played during our good run then he will change his mind. Oliver Holt of the Mirror couldn?t have said it better with his article on Monday. For whatever reason(s) as a manager you accept defeat and walk away with grace and let people talk about all the good work done in 18 months.
I blame it on overpaid players and managers with lack of sportsmanship. The game at the New Den yesterday again proved how these overpaid prats have lost it and sportsmanship was came back into question?
It is disgraceful that the two most successful clubs in the Premiership can’t meet without reducing the event to the level of a pizza brawl. In England we talk about footballers been role models and what do they tell the kids about their behavior if players and managers from both clubs can be distasteful and completely unacceptable.
21 Responses to “Wenger plays with Emotions not Passion.”
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October 28th, 2004 at 8:15 am
If we had to take “Asbos” very serious or as an election issue according to the Politicians then some players are in trouble as well as the yobs.
In some respects “Soupgate” is laughable and the running gag referring to Arsenal’s centre-half and United’s left-back, was whether the soup was Campbell’s or Heinze’s. However, given the status of the clubs, the profile of the match, and the example it sets to a wider world from viewers of CNN to school teams few at the FA and the country as a whole found it funny especially after the yobs at the Bridge or Millwall
As for Wenger he needs to chill a bit.
October 28th, 2004 at 8:58 am
Love G, your points are half right in my opinion. I agree at times Wenger talks too much, the bold statement like “the balance of power has shifted to London” was not the smartest statement. Knowing the character of Man Utd, it’s like doing them a favour and firing them up.
But I don’t think Wenger is all about emotion. He’s PASSIONED as well. Because he CARES, that’s why he was frustrated after a bad loss. He talked the way like one of us - the fans. I know some fans could be clam and rational after a defeat, but the majority of the fans don’t take a defeat easily. Call it mourning or cry baby, that’s just the nature of the game - it’s an emotional ride, it drive us crazy and drive us mad. But that’s also where the fun is. If we take away the passion, the emotion, football would not be what it is today.
Sir Bobby once famoursly claimed “some ppl in Highbury need to learn how to accept a defeat”. We DON’T [learn how to accept a defeat]. That’s why we are the WINNERS.
I have made the same point before, managers like Sir Bobby and Ranierl no doubt are the true gentleman of the game, but they both ended up got sacked. You watch the players with Man Utd, they don’t take a defeat lightly neither, both Ferguson and his players would complain this and that just as much as we did after a defeat. But that’s also exactly why Man Utd and Arsenal are the dominated force of English football for the past decade.
October 28th, 2004 at 9:07 am
The British don’t like Wenger because he is French. Whatever happens, no blame should be attached to the God Wenger but the English kids Cole and Rooney. One dives to win a penalty and the other can’t behave after games. Blame the English kids and yobs not Wenger. You had the problems before he got to England.
October 28th, 2004 at 9:08 am
I understand your stances on these issues, LG. I see a few things to add:
1). van NistelRiley has been getting away with this kind of thing for YEARS, as has his pocket ref. When the best left back in the country nearly has his young, bright career snuffed out due to the unpunished violence of a desperate underachiever, emotions are bound to play a part in any comments that follow. Wenger called it like he saw it. This wasn’t about football but criminal injustice, which is why I kinda think the normal attitude of walking away from a defeat quietly nary applies.
2). Role models are different for everyone, depending on where you’re watching. I know some people who would tell their sons and daughters that Horseface and Co. hacked away as retaliation, and that The Arsenal deserved it. The only role models children can really rely on, IMO, is their parents, who must sift through what they see in the world and media and effort to apply some moral compass.
2). CNN is theater, and bad theater at that. And with the Kerry/Bush/War debates dividing a country and the world with half-truths and spun tales and finger pointing, at least football has the video tape. As for the tunnel incident, it is entertaining, and again, bad theater. My advice: turn off the so-called “journalistic” networks and watch the Daily Show. It is all a tragic comedy after all.
October 28th, 2004 at 9:30 am
Scotty,
What van the horse did was a big joke and we all knows it but Wenger as good as he is should have kept calm and let the officials deal with him. 2 wrong don’t make a right.
I dont care about CNN but bad publicity is not what Arsenal wants. I need people to be talking about the past 18 months but Pizza was the meal.
As for the Daily Show sad to say I have moved back to London and can’t see it.
October 28th, 2004 at 9:30 am
Ok. Not worth a reply
October 28th, 2004 at 9:46 am
Andez,
You should know that I’m from the old school of football when men get on with the game shake hands afterwards. That was the spirit of English football. Nowadays we have girlie men bit*hing about everything diving and cheating to win games. Them days games again leeds V Chelsea or City V United including Arsenal, West Ham, The crazy Dons were about men playing hard to win not cheating to win.
Secondly you might say Wenger cares but at the same time he is responsibilities for what goes on and off the field as a manager.
Sir Bobby wasn’t just a gentlemen during his days as England manager or back in the 80’s but had the passion. Now a bit older and wiser becoming more of an emotional man.
October 28th, 2004 at 9:51 am
True about Pizza over the football…hey, at least I don’t hear many people calling the game a “f*g sport” anymore. When they do, I like to refer them to Ivan Campos’ caved in cheekbone. Forget about the skill and beauty, its always the dumb sh*t and the danger that many US sports fans respond to.
Too bad about the Daily show. I’m convinced that he is the only person on TV without and agenda. Comedy isn’t funny if its not true.
And I see your point about Wenger allowing the FA to step in instead of succumbing to the heat of the moment. However, as Andez says, this is an emotional game. To wit:
PIZZAGATE (Version 342):
This is how it happened: Apparently Fabregas threw the food. Van Nist went into the Arsenal dressing room after the game going mad, winding up Arsenal players after last year. Wenger called him a ***** Cheat and told him to get out. Horseface went for Wenger, Edu stepped in and hit him, security guards piled in - going mad. The kitman was hit by the guards and got a broken nose. He wants to pursue assault charges, but Arsenal don’t want him to. Ferguson then came in and started as well, ranting at the Arsenal players. They told him to ***** off, he grabbed Fabregas who responded in kind. Man Utd don’t want any comebacks as Horseface started it and their stewards were out of order. Ferguson also knows he should not have gone in to the Arsenal changing room. If Man Utd complain the kitman will pursue his claim…..
Like to see them try that at Highbury.
October 28th, 2004 at 10:01 am
This was I’m talking about. Now most commentators instead of talking about the yobs in Chelsea and Millwall they are refering to Players. Is sad when you hear people saying Oh what is the difference between Arsenal players being stupid and those yobs.
Arsenal used to be a club of Envy not just for our football but what we stands for. Excuses are for people who had or have lost their way and I don’t for one minute thinks Wenger had but about time he takes control of them silly prats and relax a bit.
October 28th, 2004 at 10:09 am
I don’t know if you watch the game against Man City yesterday. Saw some signs saying no soup allowed and more pizza jokes.
Somehow is very funny but bad timing on our part.
October 28th, 2004 at 10:19 am
Saw it on Fox Sports World Report. As I recall Wenger said something to the effect of “We’re serious people, but its not like we can’t appreciate a sense of humor.” Seems like he’s got the issue off of his chest.
The win yesterday was a nice lift for us, yes? Wenger’s committment and a promising future in action did wonders for my Old Trafford hangover.
October 28th, 2004 at 10:19 am
“Unfortunately it has been the main topic of conversation for everyone. ?But the real pity is this has overshadowed Arsenal?s magnificent achievement of going 49 games unbeaten. ?I don?t think anything like that will happen again in our lifetime.?
These are the words of D. Dein after talking to D. Gill. That is why I’m pissed even I know the blind and naive Guuners will try to come out with excuses.
October 28th, 2004 at 10:25 am
The kids did played well in the second half. The first half was a bit crap but the goals were typical Arsenal goals.
October 28th, 2004 at 10:29 am
Love G…
are you upset with the players, management, ownership? or all of the above???
do you feel United share any of the blame?
October 28th, 2004 at 10:41 am
Not all the players were involved with this. But I blames the prats and the one who was suppose to control them. Yes United have a share in it but is Arsenal people are talking about. In the case of law Arsenal are the guity party here.
And for the record, I did not say I was upset with the management or ownership but those who should have known better and did not.
October 28th, 2004 at 10:58 am
It does seem to always be something… its as if playing great football is not enough sometimes. Looking forward to Saturday and a football match to discuss!
October 28th, 2004 at 11:11 am
Hay love-G
Why do you always pick on the negative things about Arsene and Arsenal?
This man loves the club and everything about it and he hurts when we loose, the same way any fan does and sometimes he talks with the passion of a fan, what?s wrong with that.
When he defends his players in public he is doing it like a father would and I know he talks to them like adults and they respect him for that.
Would you rather he was like Souness at Newcastle and be seen to fight with his players at training. Who do you think when the chips are down the players would die for on the pitch Wenger or Souness?
Well I know if I was a player who I would prefer to play for.
When he defends his players in public he is doing it like a father would and I know he talks to them like adults and they respect him for that.
Would you rather he was like Souness at Newcastle and be seen to fight with his players, who do you think when the chips are down the players would die for Wenger or Souness?
October 28th, 2004 at 12:35 pm
I agree with the first point u stated - yup, me too feel that football should be a real man’s game, unfortunately it’s not the same anymore. In fact, I had submitted a post of the similar topic before I saw this message of you.
October 28th, 2004 at 1:17 pm
Its not only Wenger who plays with emotions, all top flight managers do which they sometimes get a call from the FA to explain themselves or probably a fine or a few match ban.
But are they taking the amount of stick Arsenal are taking? NO!! Up till now they still talk about Pires “dive” at portsmouth which is more than a year ago. C’mon, its not as if Pires invented this, u see this happening all the time in every leagues big and small.
The reason: Arsenal are considered by many to be a foreign team. Most of the time we only have 2 Englishmen in our starting 11. In the past, it used to be our displicnary record but now that we are Fair Play winners that arguement doesn’t stand anymore. So the press blow Wenger’s comment out of proportions to sell papers. Its easy to target us cos 1.we are a foreign team 2.We are the Hunted every week 3.Even since Arsenal had gone on 49 game run the press have only nice things to say about us, so u could say like its their big break now.
U dun see Wenger whining about the Chelsea match in the Champions League because Chelsea won fair and square and Wenger even complimented them but as for this sorry bunch of Man U yobs, can ppl honestly say Man u won us fair and square? So i can understand Wenger’s frutrations.
October 28th, 2004 at 2:22 pm
Here we go again with more excuses and the race card. Please you can do better than that. Read what I’m talking about if you can and stop coming up with half stories
October 28th, 2004 at 2:29 pm
Teabag,
I will buy you a drink to calm you down on saturday after beating the crap out of the Saints’ then we will chat with facts. I have and will always respect Wenger as a manager but let come back to reality. Talking about players behaving stupid proves I care and as fans we have responsibilities like anyone else.
My old man once said to me, the people who cares about you, will always tell you your faults. Because they want the best out of you.