ARSENE WENGER : HIS MOST REVEALING INTERVIEW

I'm a prisoner of my transfer policy

EMMANUEL ADEBAYOR - unsettling

WILLIAM GALLAS - sit-down

MATTHIEU FLAMINI - unexpected

By DAVID BARNES, 11/04/2009

ARSENE WENGER today admits making mistakes which have cost Arsenal the title.

The most successful manager in the club's history has suffered some savage criticism from angry fans this season as the Gunners' bid to end a four-year wait for silverware threatened to implode.

Wenger's under-fire youngsters were even in danger of finishing outside the top four for the first time in his 12-year reign.

But now Arsenal have an FA Cup semi-final date with Chelsea at Wembley next Saturday, while a 0-0 draw against Villarreal at the Emirates on Wednesday will guarantee their place in the last four of the Champions League.

However, Wenger confesses he under- estimated the damaging effects of last season, when his kids blew the title and then had a summer of transfer turmoil.

And in an emotional interview the Frenchman insists:

He is a prisoner to his own transfer policy;

Emmanuel Adebayor's threat to walk out destabilised the players;

He never expected Mathieu Flamini would quit the club for AC Milan;

Buying Gareth Barry or Xabi Alonso last summer would have "killed" his youngsters.

Wenger declared: "It wasn't so much in my choice of teams that I made errors. I have been doing that for 35 years now and, even if I am not invulnerable, I do know what I am doing.

"But I did make a mistake in perhaps underestimating the harmful effects of last season, especially the loss of the title. I asked myself a lot of questions during the close season about the influence losing the title in the last two months might cause."

Arsenal's end-of-season collapse began after a 2-2 draw at Birmingham, in which they lost striker Eduardo to a sickening broken leg, conceded a needless penalty in the last minute and then witnessed skipper William Gallas's incredible sit-down pitch sulk.

Crumble

Then followed midfielder Alexander Hleb's move to Barcelona, striker Adebayor's threat to join him if he didn't get a substantial wage rise, Flamini's transfer to Milan after refusing a new contract and Tomas Rosicky's injury problems.

Wenger added: "And we lost Hleb, Flamini and Rosicky. There was a midfield for me to rebuild. Should I have anticipated Flamini's departure? I couldn't because I really didn't think he was going to leave.

"The Adebayor business: 'I'm going, I'm staying, I'm going, I'm staying' was also an important factor. One thing followed another. Earlier this season, our game wasn't there. Even the people who love Arsenal were saying: 'This is a disaster.'

"You wonder why, with the same players, our game could crumble so much. The staff and I wondered whether we had made mistakes, if the training was being done badly.

"The most worrying match was our 3-0 defeat at Manchester City in November. That was one loss too many. We hit the bottom.But, just after that, we won 2-1 at Chelsea and I thought my team were not ready to totally go under.

"The barometer is confidence and when that seizes up . . . now we are unbeaten for 18 Premier League matches and that leaves with me with a lot of regrets."

Tough

Fans booed and jeered the team after the City defeat and there were even mutterings that the board should sack him.

"I don't mind criticism," he said. "Win or lose, I try to look in the mirror and think I do the job as well as I can. What you cannot fault is my commitment. When the results are not at the right level, people have the right to criticise. I know what I do and why I do it."

But now the "In Arsene We Trust" banners are flying again at the Emirates as Wenger strives to pull off a European and FA Cup double.

He added: "I think I have been tough because I have continued to believe in this team when nobody else did.

CESC FABREGAS - injured

"And I remained faithful to my policy when everyone told me I was heading straight for a brick wall. People reproach me for not having bought Gareth Barry or Xavi Alonso.

"But I am a prisoner of my own policy. Buying Barry or Alonso is killing Alexandre Song, Abou Diaby and Denilson."

Ironically, Wenger will be given the biggest transfer kitty in the club's history this summer - £40million. But he insisted: "I stood back from the criticism. I am not running after personal glory. Everything I do is for the club, the players and the supporters.

"You can't do a public job in a big club, not win matches and say they are all imbeciles."

Wenger identifies Arsenal's Champions League penalty shoot-out win in Rome as the real turning point of the season.

He explained: "When I look at that match, we are away from home and missed the first penalty. We had kids taking the penalties, yet still managed to win. There is a key moment in all stories and Rome was ours.

"We were not losing before, but we weren't convincing. Since Rome, we are scoring again and we are better linking up as a team."

Arsenal's season has also been blighted by injuries to Cesc Fabregas, Adebayor, Theo Walcott, Rosicky, Kolo Toure, Johan Djourou, Gallas, keeper Manuel Almunia and Gael Clichy.

The latter three will all miss Wednesday's Euro crunch against Villarreal. But Wenger added: "We have quick, skilful players, so they do take knocks.

Negative

"When you see the treatment suffered by Theo Walcott against Manchester City, he can only get injured. The advantage is we have been able to see other players, like Song.

"We have been able to integrate them. Previously, if I had taken off Fabregas to play Song, people would have said: 'He's mad!' Somewhere along the line, these injuries have been a bad thing for a good thing.

"We believe in our qualities and our strengths. I believe this team has mentally grown this season. We were under a lot of negative pressure but we always came out and just kept going.

"The fact that we are remarkably consistent shows we have quality. That is no coincidence."

Your comments

This article has 41 comments

u know z 1st reason people played football? nothing but to intertain themselves & other who watch them not 2 collect cups. no wenger, no football! infact i wish if wenger's boys have memorales cups for their future. i dont like to be a champion costing 140mill pound in a year like mouriniho,fergie,benitez...... ferguson needs 13yrs to reach final game at UEFA but wenger only 9. also wenger is only 12yrs with arsenal till. we love him always. please! please!wenger dont leave arsenal. u r special for football but moriniho special for talk

By yoseph mersha(ethiopia).. Posted May 13 2009 at 5:01 AM.

AW should learn from Alex Ferguson.
Speculate to accumulate!

The difference between AFC and Manu?
Ronaldo and Rooney.

Also Walcott is too soft. He needs to find
his inner 'Joey Barton' Give him boxing lessons
I say!

By Martyn-England.. Posted May 7 2009 at 9:18 PM.

please try to get arseals goalkeeper to stay in the goal

By jered.. Posted April 18 2009 at 11:34 PM.

suddenly arsenal has hit a purple patch and chances of hauling home two trophies no longer appear like a pie in the sky. long may that continue and all hail the professor. super gunner from zim

By canny k takawira.. Posted April 16 2009 at 9:10 AM.

SHAME TO YOU WENGER CAUSE AS OF NOW THE PREMIER LEAGUE IS ABOUT BUYING TOP PLAYERS AND WHAT ABOUT THE MONEY THE EMIRATES IS CONYTRIBUTING TO YOU.
WHAT A SHAME WENGER 4 OR 5 YEARS NOW ARSENAL HAS NEVER WON ANY SILVERWARE BECAUSE OF YOUR GREEDINESS

By FRANK PERCY PRESTON.. Posted April 15 2009 at 11:54 PM.

Which coach has actually nurtured and taken time to train all these players. Without Arsene such prominent players like Adebayor and Fabregas would be non-existant. For example why would Bayern Munich and other top teams in Europe want him. When Man U and Liverpool lose all their old players like Ferdinand and Scholes and Gerrard they would have no young players.

I think the way Arsene thinks is excellent!!!

Luv u man!!! ... plz never leave us Gunners.. 2010 Premiership Winners!! BABY!

A proud female gooner from Slough!

By Laila.. Posted April 15 2009 at 8:17 PM.

AW is a complete, modern manager. He rightly keeps in touch with the clubs finances and won't try to BUY success; he BUILDS for success. He has excelled in the transfer market and although its 4 yrs since we've had to polish anything silver, look what has been achieved and expect more success in this season and the next.

By Chris.. Posted April 15 2009 at 1:30 PM.

AW has made English prmship elegant, the football is so refreshing, he has asured entertainment and regards it as the best way to achieve in football, the club's policy is 2nd to none, a proud SOUTH AFRICAN ARSENAL and AW supporter I am, love this club

By Bafano.. Posted April 15 2009 at 5:27 AM.

25-30 years from now, we will see an award for any young coach named "Arsene Wenger Award". Who does wanna bet against me on this ? -:P

By Adjie.. Posted April 14 2009 at 2:23 PM.

I think i am the biggest fan of arsenal in india, because people around me whenever talk about football they talk about man utd and liverpool, but i am the only man thinking and dreaming of arsenal winning some silwerware again, i have full faith in them. All the arsenal fans from india support and love them. And we all think that arsene wenger is the best manager in the world.

By Hiten from india.. Posted April 14 2009 at 7:19 AM.

People say a lot of stupid things just because the can. Arsene doesn't.

When Henry was leaving people made so much noise about how we were going to finish 5th 6th 7th the next season and what happened we nearly made it to the top. I really dislike the fans and especially the players who takes a mans respect and troughs it back in his face (Flamini, Hleb, Diarra and in the current squad Gallas, Adebayor). These players spat at Wengers face when he gave them the chance as well as the training to become what they presently are.

I know Wenger is a smart manager and only may be Alex Ferguson can rob shoulders with him in terms of managerial integrity.

So till the Arsenal can find someone at the same or higher level than him who we can bring to the club we should all back him and hope that nothing bad happens.

By Korede.. Posted April 14 2009 at 12:46 AM.

I can promise everyone of u that next season Arsenal will win the Premier League, this year we have been so **** unlycky with injuries, with a new central defender and rosicky back for the next season the team will almost impossible to beat. Remember everyone, Wenger knows:)

From a huge arsenal fan from norway:)

By Fidde.. Posted April 14 2009 at 12:42 AM.

When Arsene Wenger finally goes, we shall see a vast difference at Arsenal. The next manager, without Wenger`s ability to spot talent, his eye for a bargain, and his ability to bring on players, will have only recourse, like Ferguson, Benitez, and whoever is in charge at chelsea at any given time, to paying vast sums of money for established stars and their egos eg. Robinho. The sound business model that is the current Arsenal set-up will go out of the window.

By Mike.. Posted April 13 2009 at 10:24 PM.

Ive been an arsenal fan all my life and some of your comments i can deal with but others that talk crap about my club i cannot. arsene wenger is the best manager the premier league probably will ever see he has took arsenal from the dark ages and put them right in the mix of europes elite. He has done it on a shoe string budget and not complained. he has built us one of the best stadiums in the world and the youth policy is second to none, we are a self sustaining club who dont have to splash out like the rest to be the best and then sell our club to the highest bidder just to get out of trouble to people who know nothing of the fans passion and commitment we make every season to see our club. plus i am sick of the arsenal so called fans that when we are in a bad spot boo and geer just because we arer having a bad game maybe if you sang your heart outs like other clubs with passion you might see a better result. and to the liverpool chelski and man u fans sorry your clubs are in debt but that was the price you had to pay for getting owners that dont care about you just care that try and make money out of you with the fans fitting the bill as per useual. hopefully you will find a way out coz we are still part of the top 5 best clubs in europe and possibly the world. in arsene i trust as well

By Simmy oYesaye.. Posted April 13 2009 at 11:48 AM.

Per Mertersaker of Werder Bremen, and Daniele De Rossi of Roma and Arsenal will be the strongest team in europe, Sell Gallas or let him and Toure fight for a place in the team, keeping him would be a benifit. Gallas could join PSG at the end of his current contract at the end of next season and Sakho should come the other way as a direct replacement, seems logic. should also sell Denilson, he is a good player but Arsenal need to buy a world class defensive midfielder. Daniele De Rossi of Roma would be the best choice but he could be hard to pry away from the club he has been at his whole career, Another option could be Fellaini from Everton, would be expensive but without a doubt a class player and young. my last choice is Simon Rolfes from Leverkusen, a dark horse in germany. class player. in Arsene i trust.

By Hassan.. Posted April 13 2009 at 12:51 AM.

blah blah blah, wenger losing it, ever season it will be the same, arsenal start of good then falter, with no trophies at the end, i think it is time for arsenal to make a change. and by the way if any arsenal fans believe they are winning a trophy this season got jokes lol

By jamaicanstud.. Posted April 12 2009 at 10:41 PM.

Wenger is the finest coach in the World. Our Club is honoured to employ the man.

By Ronnie.. Posted April 12 2009 at 10:09 PM.

The Professor is one of the most respected manager in Europe without a doubt, judged not by his successes but by his integrity and dignity to come out and admit his mistakes. In the modern football game where a club spend big to gain success it's so refreshing to watch a manager who have faith in his young players and not afraid develop them. As a Liverpool supporter i wish our manager can adopt some on Arsene's youth development methods. I believe Mr Wenger will stay with Arsenal for long long time. RESPECT!

By PhilC.. Posted April 12 2009 at 10:03 PM.

Arsene has done an amazing job at Arsenal and I applaud him for admitting his errors regarding this season. Like one responder pointed out. The preseason gutting of the midfield omitted Diarra (now in madrid) and Gilberto (panathanaikos). So now that he has owned up to his errors, what is he going to do about it? He has not "killed" Diaby, Song and Denilson but surely he has to recognise that these men good as they are, are not good enough for Arsenal. More importantly he has to stop Fabregas, Van Persie and Adebayo leaving. If they do, it wouldn't be on Wneger that would be a prisoner to his tranfer policy it would be the whole club! He ought to get a really top quality defensive midfielder and a couple of central defenders. He has replaced Hleb and we are grateful, now he must replace Flamini!

By Ladi.. Posted April 12 2009 at 9:41 PM.

I was at a cold windy Carling Cup match at Blackburn a couple of Decembers ago when our 'kids' put on a tremendous display. The teams' huge potential was crystal clear - in particular Alex Song.

Yes there have been mistakes - we all make them - but Arsene's investment in development time rather than transfer fees is not one of them! Watch this space folks.

By Ian.. Posted April 12 2009 at 9:14 PM.

Arsene Wenger is the greatest manager we have ever had. Criticism arises when we seem not about to acheive success. This season shows how fragile the confidence is. Before Arsene ever leaves we have to be very sure about any new candidate who will be sure to fail to fill his boots. £40m transfer kitty! I'll believe that when I see it. The Board now only talk a good game.

By Tom, Romford.. Posted April 12 2009 at 8:04 PM.

there is the only one wenger......

By hawre kawani.. Posted April 12 2009 at 7:11 PM.

What you all fail to say here is Wenger knows his stuff, he may not say it publicly but he knows his sums and probably enjoys reading the financial times in this papers issue theres talk of UTD having trouble raising money to pay up 1.1billion in Debt and Liverpool also have problems in this area Chelsea´s owner could yet have the same problem, Arsenal are the only club who dont seem to be massively in Debt the recession or financial crisis may not hit Arsenal like it could other clubs and i bet wenger was worried about that!

By dermot.. Posted April 12 2009 at 7:24 PM.

Let me start by stating that I love AW and under no circumstances want to see him replaced, ever. I will take winning no trophies as long as we play good attractive attacking football and compete in every game. My concern is regardless of what he says we will face a summer of unrest, Fab, Van P and Adebayor will be the subject of transfer rumours, with Gallas and Toure seeming likely to leave. These players will have to be replaced with at least the same if not better quality, or we could slip even further behind the other members of the big four. This will require the Arsenal board digging deep to provide the kind of funds which brought Arshevin to the team. He's quality and quality costs money.

The final run in is going to be very tough, we cannot afford anymore defensive injuries. If we can keep the players fit, we might just surprise a few people.

By robin.. Posted April 12 2009 at 7:22 PM.

No comments on Wenger's admit over his transfer policy if he knows how to improve it. But anyway, he 's the all time best manager of Arsenal. No body would know this Gunner if it has not got Arsene on the bench.

By allbigFan.. Posted April 12 2009 at 6:40 PM.

arsene is a great coach and with some decisions that he made we know for sure arsenal could have been the best club/more than that manchester. keep having faith arsene in you we trust.

By treeganner.. Posted April 12 2009 at 3:22 PM.

Wenger is a great manager and has achieved so much at the club he is Arsenal. The biggest annoyance for me is that we no longer look as viable contenders for the title our squad simply does not have the depth against the likes of united, chelsea and arsenal.

We are no being threatened by the likes of Villa and Wenger tends to hide behind the fact that he does not want to disrupt the team with likes of big signings. Arshavin looks a great buy but we were on the verge of losing him too due to this 'transfer policy.'

Bring in a replacement for flamini (a huge loss) fabregas's job is too tough for him alone. We need a pablo aimar, Senna or alonso aswell as a decent centre back!

Bring in some pedigree so we can seriously challenge nex season.

By henrik.. Posted April 12 2009 at 3:08 PM.

It's nice to see our manager putting his hands up to some of the mistakes he as made. But for me one of the biggest mistakes was the sale of Lassana Diarra to Portsmouth, he looked outstanding whenever he got a game. I for one hope he will spend in the summer with a strong center back a must. At times in the Wigan game yesterday we looked dreadful at the back, and the manner in which Chelsea let Bolton back in from 4-0 down. Next Saturdays semi could end up 5-5

By Ian.. Posted April 12 2009 at 12:59 PM.

quoting wenger... we should reserve judgment till end of season

if we extend the 18 matches unbeaten record in a big way that's some achievement indeed, and we should count the early season glitches (still hurt though) as such and could look forward to a close season fine tuning of the young team...

still need to buy astutely (as always, nearly) here and there though

By useroz.. Posted April 12 2009 at 10:18 AM.

Wenger is Arsenal.

By Sele lawani.. Posted April 12 2009 at 9:53 AM.

wenger is instrumental in developing a state of the training ground and great staddium, changing the boring arsenal tag to one of the most exciting football club in europe, win trophies , changing the drinking culture of arsenal , develop a world youth academy while he gives young players a chance to develop a career, while other mangers run their club into finacial problems take for instant manu,spur, liverpool, madrid , barca and other clubs are in financial problems . he is a great manager.

By jahco.. Posted April 12 2009 at 8:09 AM.

Although Wenger can be a bad loser, as bad as fergie, he is easily the best coach in the premiership given his buying history and playing style. The signings and profits he has made in the past beggar belief. Man U fan.

By Tony.. Posted April 12 2009 at 6:45 AM.

i remember not too long ago arsenal fans calling for his head,the 18 games unbeaten looks good on paper but remember there were a load of draws in them statistics,you have short memories and turn on your side as soon as things go wrong,oh yes i must say this the emi- rats the worst atmosphere on any football ground in history bar none,it makes a libary look noisy.

By paul .. Posted April 12 2009 at 6:40 AM.

Wouldn't swap this guy for any other coach in the world. Its been a privilege to watch some of the football and players in Wengers tenure at Arsenal, I just hope he extends his contract for a few more years!

By Jess.. Posted April 12 2009 at 6:10 AM.

Arsene is the best manager around in my opinion. He achieves enormous things on no budget. If the financial situation around the world was better, he would spend more, but knows what it does to the club's finances. Look at Benitez and Ferguson for instance. They have no regard for their clubs' finances. How do you spend 34m on Berbatov when the club is 700m in debt? Liverpool is virtually insolvent, yet Benitez spends more and more and seemingly on a hit and miss basis. Give me Wenger anytime. And many Arsenal fans, myself included do not want success at all costs. I know many others want him to buy buy buy. But I don't. I love the mystique of Arsenal. One day when it's gone, and we behave like Spurs in the transfer market, you will miss Wenger and his romanticism.

By LB.. Posted April 12 2009 at 3:29 AM.

Does anyone think Arsenal are good enough to win the title next season? I don't. 18 games unbeaten counts for nothing if you come 4th.

Wenger has to be more aggressive in the transfer market. For me the defence is clearly not good enough and we still need a defensive midfielder. Denilson and Diaby have proved one thing this season, that they're not good enough.

Wenger holds on to bad players too long and sells the good ones too soon.

By James.. Posted April 12 2009 at 2:15 AM.

Even as a United supporter, I have nothing but respect for Wenger. He is a world class manager and knows what he is doing. More than that, he is also a world class man. He treats people with respect and gives youth a chance.

By mister.. Posted April 12 2009 at 1:40 AM.

AW is definitely a gentleman. Because he is able to recognize his mistakes. Obviously he is not perfect, (he is almost perfect!!). He takes risks when he trust too much in his youngsters, but nowadaws the good results are coming... And I expect that he remains in the club for a long time, beyond his current contract... IAIT (In Arsene I Trust)

By fraster.. Posted April 12 2009 at 12:21 AM.

o2ba - thank christ you're not our manager - or my manager come to that!

By tommu.. Posted April 11 2009 at 11:42 PM.

in arsene we trust.no wenger,no arsenal. i wish he stays for more 10 fruitful years

By peter.. Posted April 11 2009 at 10:23 PM.

i was worried that wengers stubboness this season would hold us back, it has to some extent, i think he should sell a couple off youngsters, to give the others a extra kick up the arse, i think they have been in the comfort zone,

By o2ba .. Posted April 11 2009 at 10:23 PM.

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