Pardew: 'I'll shake Wenger's hand in
rematch'
Alan Pardew has vowed to offer the hand of friendship to Arsene
Wenger before kick-off in Charlton's match at The Emirates stadium
tomorrow night - but insisted he will not shirk a touchline
celebration should his new side bag another late winner against
Arsenal.
Pardew almost came to blows with Wenger over his fist-clenching
rejoicing as former club West Ham beat Arsenal courtesy of Marlon
Harewood's 89th-minute goal last month.
The pitch side fracas continued after the match when Wenger refused
to shake Pardew's out-stretched hand while both managers were
charged with "improper conduct" by the Football Association.
Pardew apologised immediately after the game for any offence caused
but, unlike Wenger who accepted a £10,000 fine from the FA, will
protest his innocence at a displinary hearing this Thursday.
And Pardew insisted he will be his normal animated self at
Ashburton Grove, rejecting suggestions it may be better to direct
his team from the stands.
He said: "I have been accused of over-exuberance in the past, with
my celebrations - I'm up in court for that! I like to be close to
the action, because I like to feel the game. I think it's important
to get a sense of what the players are feeling."
"Some managers think it might be for some other reason, but I
genuinely want to feel what they're feeling on the pitch. The
atmosphere can be different 15 yards from the edge, compared to
right on the edge.
"I'll just do my normal thing on the sideline, trying to urge my
team on, trying to get a feel for what's going on tactically -
right close to the action, rather than sitting in the stand, where
I never really feel comfortable.
And while the technical areas are further apart at Arsenal's new
home than at Upton Park, the scene of his fall-out with Wenger,
Pardew admitted it would be difficult to keep his emotions in check
should new side Charlton continue their bid to escape the drop zone
with a goal in the dying moments.
He said: "I've been to the new stadium, and I don't think there'll
be any problem whatsoever. It's not always I celebrate as I did
against Villa - like the victory over Arsenal, last-minute
victories don't come along very often. You must enjoy
them."
