Wenger says Arsenal criticism excessive
Print Edition
ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger labeled criticism of his team’s faltering Premier League title challenge “excessive” and “too emotional.”
Sunday’s 2-3 defeat at injury-ravaged Manchester United left Arsenal five points below league leader Leicester City, compromising the London club’s chances of ending its 12-year wait for the title.
Media pundits rounded on Arsenal afterwards with former Liverpool manager Graeme Souness branding them “weak and insipid” and ex-Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson saying Wenger should leave if it does not win the league.
“I’m never surprised by the criticism that comes,” Wenger said yesterday ahead of his side’s home game with Swansea City today. “That’s part of the media today. Part of the opinion is always a bit excessive and emotional, but we have to deal with that and I don’t complain about it. I don’t want to respond to individual criticism. People are a bit too emotional and we want to put things into perspective by analyzing things a bit more in a neutral way.
“This club is respected all over the world despite what people say. Everybody has freedom of opinion and I enjoy very much that people care about my future. I thank them for that.
“Apart from that, in my life, I have always taken care of myself and my future.”
Arsenal faces second-place Tottenham Hotspur in the north London derby at the weekend and Wenger wants his side to use Swansea’s visit as a springboard for what could prove a pivotal game in the title race.
“That’s what we want to do,” he said. “We want to transform the negatives into positives around us and create even more solidarity. Let’s not go overboard. We do not play to be relegated. We are playing to fight for the title. That’s why we have to put criticism in the right place.”
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
