Source: Daily_Mail
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger calls for fair play (again)
Arsene Wenger has repeatedly called for protection for his players during 14 years at Arsenal advocating the beautiful game. [LNB]The refrain was heard again following an injury to Abou Diaby. A tackle from Bolton's Paul Robinson last Saturday means Arsenal will be without the midfielder against Portuguese side FC Braga this evening and for the league trip to Sunderland on Saturday. [LNB]It was a 'very bad tackle', insisted Wenger in a tone that reflected both frustration and a resignation his words would probably be in vain. He is fiercely aware that he, and not the case he continues to argue so passionately, has become the never-ending story. [LNB] Crunch: Arsenal's Abou Diaby is injured in a tackle by Paul Robinson on Saturday[LNB]'I don't know if my views are taken seriously,' he said. [LNB]'The only thing I regret if I speak about it - it is only controversial and it is, "Wenger, Wenger, Wenger, Wenger, Wenger, Wenger, Wenger". [LNB]'If I read, "Wenger cries because his players are injured", why should I talk about it? People say, "OK, it's his team and he wants to protect his players and there is an interest there". No, I speak about football. [LNB]WENGER'S 10 Arsene Wenger has narrowed down theChampions League race from 32 teams to the 10 he believes have a chance ofwinning the final at Wembley in May.[LNB]And they are... Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, Bayern Munich, Inter Milan, AC Milan, Real Madrid, Barcelona and Lyon. [LNB]'When you love football, you can defend the players who go in a fair way. You cannot agree with the players who don't play in a fair way. [LNB]'The (Robinson) tackle was very bad. I love the English game, but people are more interested in controversy than protecting the players.' [LNB]The solution, Wenger believes, already lies in the rule book. The Arsenal manager certainly does not advocate making football a non-contact sport. [LNB]He said: 'What I hate the most is a player who is not committed and jumps out of the tackle. But to have a committed game you need to know that the intention of players is right, that they go for the ball. [LNB]'The beauty of the game is down to the fact that you play with commitment, passion, but the right intention. [LNB]'Over-protection can become boring as well. I've seen some countries where every little push or shoulder to shoulder is penalised. I prefer the philosophy of the English game, but you need to know everybody is playing the ball and only the ball.' [LNB] Fair play: Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has again called for more protection[LNB]Wenger is eager to make amends for last season's quarter-final def eat by Barcelona and believes last year's relatively poor showing by English clubs, none of whom reached the semi-finals, was merely a blip. [LNB]The Frenchman said: 'We have to show that it was an accident. Barcelona were better than us over the two games. We have to come back and show we can compete with them.' [LNB]English clubs have the added incentive of knowing the final will be played on home soil at Wembley but, as right back Bacary Sagna pointed out: 'It's a short way to go to the stadium, but a long way to go to the final.' [LNB]Arsenal are likely to field a defence entirely of Frenchmen against a side making their debut in the Champions League group stage. [LNB] In the groove: Captain Cesc Fabregas is all smiles as he guides his team-mates through their paces in training[LNB]Sagna said he, Sebastien Squillaci, Laurent Koscielny and Gael Clichy speak in French on the pitch but communicate with Spanish goalkeeper Manuel Almunia in English. [LNB] Sagna said: 'It's easier to speak with him in English. We talk in training. English or French, it's the same.' [LNB] [LNB] There will be added pressure on Wenger's new recruits, too. The Arsenal boss quipped his sidelined players - including Diaby (ankle), Thomas Vermalen (achilles), Theo Walcott (ankle), Robin van Persie (ankle), Aaron Ramsey (broken leg) and Nicklas Bendtner - would form 'quite a good team', but their absence means recent signings will be thrown straight into the fray. [LNB]Wenger admitted it will be a 'big test' for Squillaci, Koscielny and Marouane Chamakh. But, should another of Wenger's players become the victim of a poor tackle, it will be a bigger test for the manager not to fight his corner once again. [LNB]VIDEO: Wenger on Arsenal injuries... Arsenal boss Wenger relieved as Diaby is ruled out for just two gamesWenger: English must rule Europe again on the long road to WembleyArsene Wenger targets mental battle as key to Arsenal winning Champions LeagueChampions League predictions: So who will lift the trophy at Wembley? ARSENAL FC
