Arsenal stars question Wenger tactics
YOU DON'T KNOW
WHAT YOU'RE DOING
EXCLUSIVE by ROB SHEPHERD
ARSENE WENGER is facing the first dressing room crisis of his Arsenal career.
On the day of the Old Trafford clash which could kill off the Gunners' season entirely, unhappy stars are questioning the manager (above) over tactics and team selection.
Major rifts have also opened amongst the players with goalkeeper Manuel Almunia admitting he knows he is ‘hated' by rival Jens Lehmann.
Arsenal's Champions League progress had helped paper over the cracks.
Tension
But after losing to Liverpool in midweek, there is a growing tension between managers and some players.
One Gunners source said: "The turning point was going out of the FA Cup to Manchester United, the team hasn't recovered from that.
"Suddenly there are major inquests going on. Nobody can understand why Kolo Toure was played at right-back instead of centre-half in big games, everybody can see Emmanuel Eboue isn't a midfielder and there is too much pressure on Cesc Fabregas to carry the team.
"Arsene wants to play attractive, passing football but some of the senior players think he's breeding a team of youngsters who think it's OK to just play well without having to actually graft to win games.
"There isn't a winning mentality like there is at Manchester United or Chelsea. There doesn't seem to be a win-at-all-cost attitude."
Friction
Almunia went public on the breakdown in his relationship with Lehmann, admitting: "To have someone here who hates me is just amazing. I know he hates me.
"Every morning I know it's going to be the same but I don't care. I don't want any relationship with him any more."
There is also friction between skipper William Gallas and some of the younger players.
And the growing resentment with Nicklas Bendtner was highlighted when only Theo Walcott congratulated him for his goal against Liverpool last weekend.
Alumunia revealed Wenger dislikes tension. The keeper said: "The boss is trying to build a team of kind people. He doesn't like arguments."
Many believe Wenger is missing the influence of former vice-chairman David Dein, who left the club a year ago.
Actually Arsenal started to lose it when Tottenham thrashed them 5-1 in the Carling Cup semi!
ROFL
Wenger will be at Barca next season you watch!
Posted by: Stephen | April 13, 2008 at 01:03 AM | Report this comment
You need time to build a team after unloading 2 ex world class players since leaving Arsenal what have they done (nothing)he took stick from this great call GIVE HIM A BREAK Arsenal were written off before the season started he has proved people wrong in a big way. Just look at his record it speaks for itself
Posted by: Brian Peart | April 13, 2008 at 03:34 AM | Report this comment
Birmingham FC is the cause of Arsenal's bad luck. The tackle on Eduardo left Arsenal with only one striker (Adebayor) at the point where he (Eduardo) was becoming the most prolific striker in the premier league.
Posted by: sherif | April 13, 2008 at 03:59 AM | Report this comment
It's last chance saloon for Wenger vs Man Utd later on today.....can't see them winning it even if they were to beat UTD today......the squad was badly exposed this year round and the FA Cup defeat to Man UTD on feb 16 and Eduardo's injury psychologically affected the whole team badly....it's great to watch them( that's coming fron a Chelsea fan) but at the end of the day it's all about winning trophies....he has apparently been given a £60 mil war chest.....spend the lot on Modric, Huntelaar, Messi and Wheater....players like that should want to come to Arsenal the attacking football they favour.....
Posted by: marko | April 13, 2008 at 05:26 AM | Report this comment
I REALLY DO THINK ITS TIME FOR WENGER TO MOVE ON. HES OBVIOUSLY TOOK ARSENAL AS FAR AS HE CAN. HES A GREAT MANAGER HOWEVER EVEN GREAT MANAGERS CAN BECOME STAGNANT. I HEAR MARTIN JOLL's STILL AVAILABLE.
Posted by: BBJ | April 13, 2008 at 05:28 AM | Report this comment
Arsenal must buck up now before they face MU otherwise they stand to lose everything. There is no need for beautiful football anymore. Once you enter the penalty box or withing 25 yards from the opponent's goal mouth take a shot, as many shots as possible and try to win the game. If you lose to MU tonight, it may take as long as two years to recover.
Posted by: Annamalai Arnasalam | April 13, 2008 at 05:40 AM | Report this comment
I hope that AW doen't go completely mental if Arsenal lose tomorrow and do something embarassing.
At times on the sideline he looks close to having a nervous breakdown.
Posted by: Syd | April 13, 2008 at 06:26 AM | Report this comment
Arsenal was badly hit due to injuries to persie and Edurado at crucial point of time. Lack of bench strength is a real concern. It is time for Wenger to aggressively spend on young talents like Messi to build a great time for the coming season.
Posted by: Venkatakrishna | April 13, 2008 at 06:29 AM | Report this comment
Biggest load of tosh ive ever heard.
'CHampions League papered over the cracks'
For christs sake, with a smaller and cheaper squad they are 6 points behind the league leaders with a handfull of games to go.
They were robbed of a semi spot in the CL semis.
Although everyone wants success now, football is a business, succesful busy is a long game.
Clubs spending money they dont have will fail. Arsenal WILL be the richest club and WILL have the money to spend when its in the bank as the new stadium starts to generate income.
Not one other manager could have done what Wenger has done. Not Fungus, Not Mourinho, Not Benitez, Not Lippi, Cappello, Cruyff, Not Anyone!
He is a principled man, and all credit to him for sticking to it.
He could have put Arsenal in debt and bought 100mil quids worth of players and won everything, but at what cost.
When Roman arrived the game changed. Arsenal were top of the tree but the team was getting old. Even without the stadium costs he couldnt buy the top players coz roman had upped the starting price.
He took a step back and decided on limited budget to buil and build.
Have a look at the improvement. Arsenal have been close up all season and lead for much of it. So what if they JUST fail. They have had many injuries and in the last 2 months alot of bad luck. ANd yet they can still win the league.
Next season with a SMALL amount of change they can improve again. at this stage last season it was about 20 point behind. it could be 3 after today and even if its 9 its a massive improvement!
Oh, and arent all you slaggers the same ones who want him to manage England? I belive the transfer budget in that job is ZERO!
Posted by: Bigarse | April 13, 2008 at 07:35 AM | Report this comment
Arsenals succesful season is about to disappear. It's a pity though that Man U will benefit.
Posted by: Nick Wilson | April 13, 2008 at 07:54 AM | Report this comment
I think the problem with AW is his obsession with pattern weaving/pretty soccer. When the players reach the box,they pass and pass with no shots on goal. As a result teams have wised up. His repugnance for the long ball that resulted in two goals for Chelsea and one from which torres scored is alien to him . His philosophy is pass by feet.
Until such time as he knows that the name of the game is winning even ugly Arsenal can forget about winning trophies.He is lucky the board have given him a free hand but even in the career of managers no matter how great they are,a time will come when his methods/strategy becomes out of date.
Posted by: James morgan | April 13, 2008 at 08:03 AM | Report this comment
I think this comment is out of place. I'm a Man United die hard fan but I felt that this Arsenal team is good. Even though, I believe we will beat them tonight and Arsenal team will end up with nothing this season, it will still be a season where they had exceeded expectation. At the beginning of this season, no one gives them any chance at all of challenging for honours except Sir Alex who mentioned that Arsenal is indeed a contender and even more so with Henry not being there. No one else believes so but Arsenal had fight a good season to be in the position that they are in now.
So, give credit when it's due, this Arsenal team can surely get better as they mature but of course, the same with Man United who will only gets better and better. So, expect these two to fight it out for years to come.
Posted by: Red Devil | April 13, 2008 at 08:04 AM | Report this comment
Was wondering how long before BCFC got blamed for their dismal end to the season.
Need to look closer to home methinks, as was eduardo going to be stood on the line to clear every shot as well.
Posted by: salmon spread | April 13, 2008 at 08:22 AM | Report this comment
I REALLY DO THINK ITS TIME FOR AW TO MOVE ON. HE IS STRUGGLING TO COPE WITH MANAGING THE TEAM'S RELATIONSHIP. HE IS SO STURBORN. I DON'T SEE HIM SPENDING BIG IN THE SUMMER. HE NEEDS SOME ENGLISH PLAYERS AND MORE EXPERIENCE PLAYERS IN THE SQAUD!
I THINK THE ARSENAL BOARD SHOULD BE HARD ON HIM. ANY OTHER BIG CLUB MANAGER, EVEN ALEX FERGUSON WOULD BE UNDER DEEP PRESSURE OR WOULD HAVE BEEN SACKED WITH OVER 3 SEASONS WITHOUT A TROPHY.
Posted by: Walter | April 13, 2008 at 08:31 AM | Report this comment
Venkatakrishna you need to chill out !!
Firsty Sir Alex can do what Wenger has done and better. i know we have money to go for the big buy but Sir Alex also produced a young team of ENGLISH boys who won the double something Wenger will NEVER EVER do.
Arsenal do play good football at time but they do only have one type of game. how many times in the last 3 seasons have we heard that Arsenal have dropped points because they're trying to walk the ball in the net?
No-one ever will win the Premiership by playing 38 games of beautiful football it's always the horrible 1-0 wins that bring home the good.
I can even back you over the fact that he is a man of principle, because what Arsenal do in the Premiership United have been doing in the Champions League for years. Sir Alex won't play scrappy football which is amazing when it work's (roma 7-1) but heartbraking when it doesn't (milan 3-0).
At the end of the day what it comes down to is this.. how ever great you play your football or how much you spend on your transfers you Never get anything for being a runner up and that's what Wenger now is.
Posted by: Sid the Red | April 13, 2008 at 08:43 AM | Report this comment
It's easy for the haters to pull the daggers out when a result goes against arsenal.When we were leading the league all that time where we you? Now we have lost a couple of games and you join the badwagon. As an arsenal fun, i am happy with the way the team has progressed this season,trophy or no trophy.The players have done exceptionally well considering that at the beginning of the season we were written off as no hopers after Henry left.We have had a couple of bad decisions go against us in some games but we have learnt to move on and not spend days arguing about those decisions.I am right behind Arsene and his philosophy of the way the game should be played.All you Gunners haters why don't you concentrate on your own teams and leave Arsenal alone.
Posted by: lawrence chitiyo | April 13, 2008 at 08:56 AM | Report this comment
Arsenal = excellent beautyful footbal
Wenger = every club in the world wants even except Man U ( That will change when Sir Alex retires)
Even if Arsenal loses today it's been a sucessfull season taking in account lack of experienced players, injuries and dodgy referes decisions against the club.
We Arsenal fans will ALWAYS love Wenger no matter what,and you know why ? Because this man has restored Arsenal's pride, respect and put them back in the map of the true footbaling sides alongside the likes of Barcelona, Man U, River Plate of Argentina and Flamengo of Brasil.
We know that by sticking with Wenger we will have wonderful days,immense joy, even if today some short sighted ones can see what the future holds for this current Arsenal side.
Dare to change Wenger, bring a Mourinho, a Cappelo, a Van basten and you will regret it. They won't be as loyal, hard working, dedicated to the Arsenal cause as Wenger has been for the past 10 years.
Be very, very, careful Arsenal fans. Someone is saying to you that a loved one (wenger) is not good for you, so that when you let him go, they will gladly receive him with open arms and laugh at your stupidity.
WENGER AND ARSENAL ARE MARRIED FOREVER
Posted by: Ze Clever | April 13, 2008 at 08:57 AM | Report this comment
Its true wenger doesn't know what he was doing,even me who is not a manager knows Eboue is not a midfielder, and if Sagna is injured the only thing you as a manager you have to do is to push Eboue back and use Diaby or wallcot,Senderos has caused Arsenal so much and as a manager you don't need to be told.anytime Arsenal palys Chelsea and we loose is Senderos, any good striker would score a goal against Senderos.Bentner is a lazy player, and he doesn't deserve to play for Arsenal, he has nothing to offer for Arsenal,Almunia is just like a waist pipe, a waist of space, and jens has got every right to hate him. because i do hate him as well, he doesn't make a save, any mistake from the defenders is a goal,a goal keeper who started goal keeping at the age of 30 yrs, and a team like Arsenal's goal keeper do not get call up in Spainish national team,Justin Hoyte had every opportunity to excel las season but he couldn't so why do you still keep him?why can't you sell him and use the money to buy a good player, you won the premiership with Anelka, Overmas, Petit and co are they the same players you have now? your selections are so poor and you can use economy in football, or mathmatics and say we have lost few games that any other team but yet we are 3rd, Clichy knows he hasn't got a cover so he is just playing for playing sake, as a manager you should know van persie is an injury prone, since you bought him how many games has he played for arsenal in a season so why don't you buy a cover for him? To pay 15 million for frank Ribbery was a problem for you, why are you so self to think about your commision and not thinking aboout us over breaking our heart? are you obsessed with children or what? you sell your good players and you don't buy, th players were so naive that why do you play a draw with wigan and complain about the pitch when people go there to win, Galas shoud be left alone after all i would have done the samething, look at what clinchy did in Birmingham to loose a panalty at the last min and you tell me Gallas is over reacting, would this happen is Man u or chelsea? Arsenal were leading five points now we are chaasing and Gallas so it coming,
Posted by: Cee | April 13, 2008 at 09:14 AM | Report this comment
This is from a UTD fan , so this is going to hurt. Arsenal have done fantastically well this year.Wenger has been building another side which has been in transition, unfortunately for them they have done so well for most of the season that expectations have gone out of control..Let Wenger carry on building and they will almost definately be back
Posted by: Mark Palmer | April 13, 2008 at 09:25 AM | Report this comment
This is from a UTD fan , so this is going to hurt. Arsenal have done fantastically well this year.Wenger has been building another side which has been in transition, unfortunately for them they have done so well for most of the season that expectations have gone out of control..Let Wenger carry on building and they will almost definately be back
Posted by: Mark Palmer | April 13, 2008 at 09:27 AM | Report this comment
Wenger has made far too little use of Gilberto,he has a world class grafter who is mature enough to pass on the hardcore work to the youngsters.Gilberto should be Skipper not Gallas.
Posted by: JACQUIE | April 13, 2008 at 09:31 AM | Report this comment
There is nobody in the premiership that has produced football teams playing the quality that Arsenal do.A.Wenger is the undisputed giant manager of the premiership.He has not the money of the two other big clubs,but his coaching and quality of players is immense,and before anybody quotes United producing talent some years ago,that was in the infancy of this league.(believe me no United team has ever reach the heights of the "Busby Babes")Ask youself this look at the quality, it has cost Arsenal little,but Chelsea and United a fortune,and still on Arsenal's day the other two can only look and dream.
Posted by: john t | April 13, 2008 at 09:32 AM | Report this comment
There is nobody in the premiership that has produced football teams playing the quality that Arsenal do.A.Wenger is the undisputed giant manager of the premiership.He has not the money of the two other big clubs,but his coaching and quality of players is immense,and before anybody quotes United producing talent some years ago,that was in the infancy of this league.(believe me no United team has ever reach the heights of the "Busby Babes")Ask youself this look at the quality, it has cost Arsenal little,but Chelsea and United a fortune,and still on Arsenal's day the other two can only look and dream.
Posted by: john t | April 13, 2008 at 09:33 AM | Report this comment
Right I am a girl who according to all you men out there think I probably know nothing about footie..(I am also a Man U fan). At the end of the day footie matches need to be won..weather its a boring 1-0 win or a thrashing defeat like when Utd beat Arsenal in the cup..Arsenal team acted like a lot of grumpy big girls blouses that day. Where is team morale!! As for there being injuries to the team ALL players on a team should be trying to score goals not just the strikers..One or two players dont make a team.. I fully agree Arsenal are a great team but talk about moaning about everything..Get out there and battle for wins..Act like a solid team. There are no Trophys for moaning!!!!
Posted by: Kerri | April 13, 2008 at 09:34 AM | Report this comment
Arsene Whinger is getting what he deserves. Nothing is ever his fault; he sees everything that happens against his team, but never sees when his players do anything wrong. They may play pretty football, but they over play all the time and consistently have the worst disciplinary record. And I am so bored about hearing about his young team. He'll be saying that when they are all over 35.
Posted by: Mark Frost | April 13, 2008 at 09:47 AM | Report this comment