Wenger attacks Rafa criticism

Wenger attacks Rafa criticism

 Arsene Wenger believes the criticism levelled at under-fire Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez is undeserved and "excessive".

The Reds are in their worst run of form for 22 years, with four defeats in the Barclays Premier League already, and face a crunch clash at leaders Manchester United on Sunday lunchtime.

Arsenal manager Wenger, though, feels the Spaniard - who won the Champions League against AC Milan in 2005, and reached the final again two years later - should be given more respect for what he has achieved.

"It is always excessive," said Wenger, who himself received plenty of flak when the Gunners struggled for consistency this time last season.

"We are, with a big club, in a job where you know that the moment the team goes through a difficult period, you get more stick than you should.

"But we know in our job as well that it is all part of it.

"I feel sorry that he gets that because he does not deserve it.

"But we all basically understand within this job, that it is part of the rules."

Wenger last secured a trophy with the FA Cup in 2005.

The Gunners boss, though, believes managers of big clubs must be capable of dealing with unfavourable questioning.

"In a big club, you need to be extremely strong because you get a lot of negative vibes," he added.

"When you do not start well in the race for the Premier League, it's all negative around you.

"What is happening to Liverpool today happened to us last year.

"Every single question is negative for the whole season.

"You need to be extremely strong inside the club to deal with that."

http://msn.football365.com/story/0,17033,8652_5646848,00.html

Wenger a manager i have the utmost respect for

Usually I don't.

However I have much much more respect after reading that.

Wenger is a good manager at a good club,and I'm glad to see him supporting Rafa unlike the gobsh*te at the other end of the East Lancs road.

Is he only coming out with ths as we are playing against his best mate on Sunday?

Wenger isn't talking out of his arse(ne) for once.

I think Arsenal got a lot of undeserved flak last year, and now we are getting stick as well (although some of it is deserved, tbh).

Let's thrash him in the Carling Cup.

I still don't like Wenger, but at least he is talking some sense.

Good to see, never been a big fan of his but nice to get a bit of support. Now lets smash them in the Cup.

As the press say an intelligent man proving so with an absolutely spot on view on things.

Stunned that he has publicly backed Rafa but fair play to him

Gone up a bit in my estimations.

He has suffered a lot at the hands of the media and everyone slating him and calling for his head so good of him to say what he has.

But still, let's hammer Arsenal!

Surprised he actually saw the criticism in the papers!

On a serious note though, I do respect Wenger, especially now that he's publicly backed Rafa. Good man. Hope you had a good birthday.

Always had some amount of respect for Wenger. This certainly increases my respect for him.

still, go Liverpool and thrash Arsenal in our upcoming fixtures with them.  

Theres two sides to look at this, Taking into consideration Wenger has not won a trophy since 2005 he can hardly be critical of Rafa as in a sense then he is criticising his own failures as a manager of a top 4 side.

How ever I would like to think Wenger is a decent intellectual bloke and a lot of the things he has said do ring true, regardless of the media and so called fans who call for Rafa's head the minute we have a run of poor form, its good to see one of our Rivals managers speaking up on Rafa's behalf with a well thought out knowledgeable opinion that shows his respect for Rafa and what he has a achieved here.

Isnt it strange though that last year it was Wenger and Arsenal getting the stick and now it's our turn with Rafa, I personally commend Arsene for sticking up for a fellow manager not in a dissimilar position to ours, I wonder who it will be next season?? Sparky at Man shitty, L ancelloti at the Chavs, Or even Dirty Harry at Spurs, One things for sure it wont be the F**k wit up the East lancs Rd will it?    Very strange indeed!!

Anyway, Well said Arsene, But we're still gonna stuff ya in the Carling cup.

YNWA     IRWT

well fair dues to him can't wait to thrash his 12 year olds though:)

Stunned that he has publicly backed Rafa but fair play to him

My sentiments exactally , Brian.

Good on yer Arsene.

Not very often that another manager comes out and publicly backs Rafa so nice one

Well said Wenger! I do respect him in sense of his footballing philosophy but no hard feelings when beat you next time in Carling Cup.

I have always respected the man and his opinions ,he speaks his mind and there are similarities to be drawn with our own manager. Wenger will persevere with what he believes to be right and can at times be open to accusations of stubbornness , he is a strict disciplinarian and is known for confronting players over seemingly trivial matters that to his mantra are not acceptable. These are aspects of management common to both men and I have no doubt Mr Benitez will appreciate these comments from Arsene Wenger.

Glad to hear support for Rafa from a fellow manager and he went through the same last season,at least Rafa can lend him a shoulder to cry on when we knock them out the cup.

Very true. Just shows how fickle fans can be.

Last season Wenger was an idiot, and I think it was in the Tomkins piece about O'Neill and the Villa fans.

You really cannot start or end a season poorly these days, or have a dodgy patch in the middle, without everyone calling for your head.