Arsenal’s unrepentant manager called on Uefa to show “a
bit more humility” and apologise for Robin van Persie’s
controversial dismissal by Massimo Busacca in
Barcelona.
The Swiss referee brandished a second yellow to Van Persie for
kicking the ball away, although the Dutchman claimed he had not
heard the whistle to stop play for an offside.
Wenger’s apoplectic reaction prompted a Uefa charge but sources
indicated it would be highly unlikely to charge Wenger for the
'dictatorship' comments.
Even so, neither contrition nor circumspection could be detected
in the Frenchman’s remarks on Thursday.
The lament of the sore loser never makes easy listening. In
intensifying his criticism of Busacca and particularly Uefa, Wenger
may genuinely be feeling persecuted.
He may also be attempting to deflect scrutiny away from a squad
shell-shocked by defeats to Birmingham City and Barcelona.
An insight into his mindset came when asked whether Sir Alex
Ferguson was right to order media blackouts.
“I defend
Arsenal and
Ferguson – don’t worry – is strong enough to defend
Manchester
United,”
he replied. Good managers defend their dressing rooms, especially
when the inhabitants are at a psychologically low ebb.
As diversionary tactics go, Wenger lobbed around some pretty
spectacular verbal fireworks on Thursday.
Speaking after training at London Colney, the Frenchman was in
full Edith Piaf mode, regretting nothing, with a touch of Joan of
Arc martyr’s defiance thrown in for good measure.
“They do not punish me,” declared Wenger of Uefa’s charge. “It’s
Arsenal Football Club that has been punished. We are out of the
Champions League, we have lost one of our big ambitions, we have
been punished with a lot of damages and, on top of that, we have to
say sorry to Uefa.
"We have done nothing wrong. They organised the competition,
they named the referees.”
Uefa can argue it named one of the best in Busacca, an official
with experience of two World Cups, one European Championships, one
Champions League final (2008) and one Uefa Cup final (2007). Yet
his decision to dismiss Van Persie continues to chafe away at
Wenger like a sharp pebble in a tight shoe.
“It is a shame the referee took the decision to send Robin off
because it was the wrong decision. The first game was a fantastic
advert for football and the second game has been destroyed.
"The only thing people remember is the sending-off killed the
game. This decision frustrated us and frustrated everybody who
loves football.
"When you have a game of that stature, you cannot come out with
decisions like that and show a lot of arrogance on top. We all
understand we can make wrong decisions, but after that it becomes
dictatorship. It’s not any more common sense.
“I deny completely any charge. A bit more humility would do Uefa
some good. To apologise for what happened would be much better than
charge people who have done nothing wrong.
"Uefa has to have a little bit lower profile after what happened
on Tuesday; that would be much better and more sensible.”
Uefa sources indicated it would be highly unlikely to charge
Wenger for his “dictatorship” comments.
The wreckage from a bad night in Catalonia lay around Wenger,
who had to confront criticism by the likes of Xavi of Arsenal’s
conservative tactics.
“If I had played two full-backs on each flank in midfield you
could say, ‘OK they just wanted to defend’,” countered Wenger. “But
we played Rosicky, Nasri, Fabregas, Wilshere, Van Persie and Diaby.
Not one defensive player.
“How can people think I said to the players, ‘just stay in our
half and wait’. We had no option, they closed us down so well in
the first half, that we didn’t manage to get out. Look at the speed
with which we lost the ball.
“Barcelona had two shots on goal in the first half, plus the
goal we gave away. Apart from that, they had a very sterile
domination. We had more shots than Barcelona in the first game and
we would have had shots in this game had it remained 11 v 11.”
Wenger’s belief in his squad’s ability to recover sounded
unshakeable. “Overall they can gain a lot of confidence. The
attitude and quality we have shown in the two games against
Barcelona was outstanding offensively and defensively. Since
November, I feel this team has taken off.”
Eventually he admitted that uncertainty stalked his players,
that Arsenal needed victory over United in the FA Cup tomorrow for
psychological as well as sporting reasons. “We need it, I must say,
because we need help. We have been touched severely recently.
“We lost one competition in the last minute [Carling Cup final].
We played the super favourite of the Champions League and lost
under special circumstances. We want to deal well with the two
psychological blows.”
Cesc Fabregas’ hamstring injury precludes his involvement
against United “and maybe for the next two games”. Wenger is
looking for an “emergency keeper” on loan with Wojciech Szczesny
having dislocated his finger.
Theo Walcott, Alex Song and Thomas Vermaelen are all out
although Van Persie is available.
At the end of a bad week for the club, Arsenal have expressed
their concern to Barcelona about the treatment of their fans in Nou
Camp.
Arsenal supporters spoke of over-aggressive policing before and
after the match.