Arsene Wenger has admitted there have
been occasions where he has strayed from the truth in a bid to
protect his players.
The Arsenal manager very rarely publicly criticises members of
his own squad, preferring to gloss over controversial incidents by
claiming he did not see what occurred.
But the Frenchman has now confirmed that his supposed myopia is
often due to the fact that he is unable to explain a player's
actions.
Asked if he had ever been economical with the truth, the
Frenchman told the Daily Mail: "Yes, because you are
thinking, 'Why has he (a player) done that?' and you know you
cannot explain it.
"At times I saw it, and I said I didn't to protect the player,
because I could not find any rational explanation to defend
him.
"This is a job where you have to have an optimistic view of
human nature or you become paranoid. You always have to think that
a guy wants to do well.
"A coach is there to help. He must think that if he helps in the
correct way the players will respond. You cannot be
suspicious."
skysports.