ARSENE WENGER has launched an amazing tirade
against rival bosses who “cheat” their way to
trophies.
And the angry Arsenal boss insists he would NEVER
sacrifice his morals just to land a title.
With his team top of the Premier League and through to
the Champions League quarter-finals, Wenger is determined to
succeed with style and integrity.
He made no attempt to hide his contempt for some
contemporaries and said: “I know people who have won trophies and I
don’t rate them.
“I can give you examples of people who have won the
Olympic 100 metres and they have cheated. I know people in football
who have done exactly the same. But for me, sport is more than just
winning trophies. Winning cannot be everything.
“What is important for me is to play in a fair way and
in a way that people will enjoy. Of course winning is important —
but so is moral integrity.
“A trophy is something you can show only for the
moment. But what remains after that is the way you have played and
the way you have behaved. These are also important.”
Wenger was responding to Jose Mourinho’s latest jibe in
which the former Chelsea chief claimed: “Arsenal are a unique team.
Their coach hasn’t won anything for years but he is still an
idol.”
But the Frenchman was adamant he was not talking
specifically about Mourinho or his achievements at Stamford
Bridge.
Wenger has never forgotten how, during his time as
Monaco coach, he was robbed of the French title by a corrupt
Marseille team.
He has also seen Italian football torn apart by
match-
fixing scandals.
Yet it was clear Mourinho’s outburst had got under his
skin, just days after Arsenal’s historic Champions League win
against AC Milan.
Asked about Mourinho’s comments, he said: “I let other
people talk. I will talk for myself. I try to do my job as well as
I can. If it’s not good enough, people will let me know.”
Wenger knows he might never have a better chance to
finally make his mark in Europe.
He added: “I’m convinced that this is an era of
dominance by English clubs.
“We will find an English club in the final this
year.”
But Wenger’s first priority is to win at Wigan on
Sunday.
He said: “It’s easy to be up for a game in the San
Siro. But are we up for a cold day in Wigan? We are.”
