Wenger Chelsea moans and approval -Chelsea v Arsenal Preview
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October 2 2010
Arsene Wenger has yet again spoken of our financial resources (because he keeps getting asked by the media every time we play them?) ahead of tomorrow’s London derby at Stamford Bridge. Arsenal achievements should never be compared to Chelsea’s due to our financial advantage apparently.
The Pot Count
The Frenchman completed 14 years at the helm of the north London club yesterday, winning seven major trophies in that time compared to our four without Abramovich and eight with him.
“The biggest pride of a club is to achieve the maximum with the resources available,” said Wenger.
“That is what we try to achieve and the situation is not really comparable to what Chelsea has done. The resources are different.”
“The fact that I manage a club in a sensible way looks crazy. I understand why Chelsea manage in their own way, because they can support the deficit. We can’t.”
Platini Approval
The deficit to which Wenger refers was converted into equity – something which Wenger has often moaned about. It does bewilder me how he has a problem with a businessman doing this given that he is building up an asset which will be worth substantially more than the price for which he bought it. UEFA president Platini will also allow European clubs to have large investments (but not loans) so long as they are converted into shares (exactly what Abramovich has done).
Let us not forget Mr Wenger
It should also be remembered that a lot of Arsenal’s successes came during a time after the “Let’s ensure the gap between the rich and the poorer clubs gets even bigger” cartel of the Premier League was formed (Arsenal being one of the prime movers behind this) and the 30´s when more than questionable financial practices were used to get the best players to Highbury.
Going even further back to the beginning of the last century and the mysterious promotion to the top flight (despite finishing fifth in the old 2nd Division!) of the then north London franchise moved from Woolwich orchestrated by Henry Norris makes even darker reading. Still, let’s not let the past get in the way of self-appointed honour eh Mr Wenger…
Do we doff our caps?
Nevertheless, our beloved club does receive some modicum of approval from the Arsenal coach:
“They have become more sensible with time (that’s ALWAYS been our intention – Ed) because they realise it’s only a short-term situation,”
“Each person can manage their own way. I will do it my way. Platini looks to be strong-willed on the subject and has my complete support.”
Size is not important
On to the game and the media have made much of Chelsea overpowering Arsenal in recent times and this due to the difference in physical stature of the Chelsea and Arsenal players.
Wenger makes a good point in response:
“What, for you, is physical strength? How can you explain Spain won the World Cup and Barcelona beat Chelsea in the Champions League?
“Football is not only down to physique. It’s down to intelligence, technique, mobility. There is not one way. That’s what makes it interesting.”
(or in the Barcelona example perhaps commercial interests and the referee should get more than honourable mentions!- Ed)
Clichy also made an interesting point on this:
"West Brom are a smaller side than Arsenal so we should have won, everybody knows that. But give them credit, they played very well. We have to get our heads down again and get back to work.
The wounded
Moving on to team news, Arsenal nemesis Drogba returns after his suspension for the Marseille game with Kakuta likely to be moved back to bench to make room.
Bosingwa is still not quite ready, Lampard will also remain out having not recovered from his hernia op, Benayoun has a calf injury and Kalou is currently having his thigh rubbed by Chelsea physios (Oooh matron!).
Fabregas will supposedly miss the game due to a hamstring injury – although the amount of times he was supposed to have been out before playing us and then magically appeared on the pitch has been a few now.
Gibbs and Vermaelen are also out for Arsenal but Diaby is fit. Fabianski will be asked to do his best in goal – a much analysed position recently so the pressure will be on “Mr Flappy” as he has become known.
Not to be taken for granted
We have scored 27 goals in our last five league games whilst Arsenal have not kept a clean sheet in their last 10. I don’t care if we win 1-0 with a goal that comes off of the back of Ivanovich´s head without him realising. I hate losing to this lot!
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If you had to make do with spending only what you made you'd still be waiting for a title and you all know it.
But thats football and as wrong as it is, we just have to deal with it.
Of course Wenger is only responding to the questions of lazy hacks who know he is always good copy.
I do wish he'd tell them to eff off sometimes, but what the hey.
Here's to a good game tomorrow. Even though we got beat at your place last season it was one of my favourite away days! Maybe Im just a masochist, but the atmosphere (in the away end obviously) was brilliant.
Come on you Gunners!
"It is born out of hypocrisy and fundamental insecurity. There have been two kids on the block for the past 12 years. Suddenly, there is a third and that one is threatening to be more successful than the others and they don’t like it." P Kenyon.
Quote:Fabregas will supposedly miss the game due to a hamstring injury – although the amount of times he was supposed to have been out before playing us and then magically appeared on the pitch has been a few now.
Give over dixie
Quote:I hate losing to this lot!
Should be quite used to it!
Fancy a 1-1 tommorow
Quote:PKGoonerQuote:Fabregas will supposedly miss the game due to a hamstring injury – although the amount of times he was supposed to have been out before playing us and then magically appeared on the pitch has been a few now.
Give over dixie
Quote:I hate losing to this lot!
Should be quite used to it!
Fancy a 1-1 tommorow
Re Fabregas it has happened at least twice in my memory.
A 1-1? I´m never sure when we play Arsenal...never totally confident despite recent results in general.
I don´t think we´ll lose at least....hopefully....
"It is born out of hypocrisy and fundamental insecurity. There have been two kids on the block for the past 12 years. Suddenly, there is a third and that one is threatening to be more successful than the others and they don’t like it." P Kenyon.
Chelsea v Arsenal 1969 (posted up by Carefree on official site)
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"It is born out of hypocrisy and fundamental insecurity. There have been two kids on the block for the past 12 years. Suddenly, there is a third and that one is threatening to be more successful than the others and they don’t like it." P Kenyon.