ARSENE WENGER has risked infuriating Arsenal’s
frustrated supporters by claiming he would accept second place for
the next 20 years.
The Gunners’ boss has come under fire after his team
lost the Carling Cup final, were knocked out of the Champions
League and FA Cup and fell seven points behind Premier League
leaders Manchester United.
But ahead of Arsenal’s match at Blackpool tomorrow,
Wenger hit back by saying: “I am only very proud of what this team
have done.
“As long as you are second in the league, I am ready to
sign for the next 20 years and stand up for that.”
But despite insisting that his team can still win the
Premier League, Wenger’s rant resembled a familiar list of excuses
for yet another trophyless season. He is right to point out his and
Arsenal’s achievements. Only Manchester United have matched their
record of qualifying for the Champions League, and fighting for the
title with eight games to go is hardly a crisis.
It is understandable Wenger feels unfairly targeted,
given Spurs boss Harry Redknapp is being touted as the next England
manager for his achievements and that Manchester City’s ambitions
do not extend beyond a top-four finish.
But it is Wenger who built a winning mentality at
Arsenal that he and his players are now being judged by.
“Some of the clubs behind us have done nothing for 20
years, yet suddenly they get a lot of praise,” said Wenger. “I
don’t understand. I managed 1,500 games and I have to listen to
many opinions of people who have done a bit less. 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 OK. Why do you
say that it is a disaster when we’re second in the league? Do the
18 clubs behind us have a fantastic disaster?
“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 have
done that in this country: us and Manchester United.
“Trophies are one way to judge a club. 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? 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.
“I don’t know where Arsenal would be without me – maybe
better, maybe worse. I hope one day maybe better.
“I defend what we do here and the way we do it. That’s
all. I don’t see why we should be negative.
“If I cannot defend the fact we’re second in the league
and fighting for the championship then I should stay at home, but
I’m in a fighting job.”
He remains convinced that history will prove him right
to put so much faith in this set of players. Although, ominously,
he suggested that it will not necessarily be Arsenal who benefit.
“The average age of this team is 23,” said Wenger. “We’ve done well
for our age.
“Is that a disaster? There are teams who invest 10
times more than us, one player cost more than our whole team and
they’re behind us.
“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.”