Source: Telegraph
Arsene Wenger explains why he does not 'see' his Arsenal players' fouls
The Frenchman claims a sense of loyalty to his players, and admits it does sometimes stray into being dishonest if it is in their best interests. [LNB]Asked if he has ever been economical with the truth, Wenger told the Mail: "Yes, because you are thinking, 'Why has he (a player) done that?' and you know you cannot explain it'. [LNB] Related ArticlesEverton v Arsenal match previewFantasy: empty Arsenal?Arsenal hit by injury blowsWest Ham look to ChamakhHleb regrets leaving ArsenalSport on television"At times I saw it, and I said I didn't to protect the player, because I could not find any rational explanation to defend him. This is a job where you have to have an optimistic view of human nature or you become paranoid. You always have to think that a guy wants to do well. [LNB]"A coach is there to help. He must think that if he helps in the correct way the players will respond. You cannot be suspicious."[LNB]The Frenchman has also given an insight into how football still dominates his life, and draws comparisons between his attitude to the game and the late Sir Bobby Robson, who died last month after a long fight against cancer. [LNB]"The worst is to have no target," Wenger said. "Imagine you get up in the morning and you do nothing. You enjoy one minute. Then there is another minute. But what do you do next? Can you dedicate your whole life to this? Somewhere within us is the desire to feel that we are useful and that we have some quality. [LNB]"Sir Bobby Robson just died. Did you see the last game he watched (at St James' Park)? Just a charity game, but still he had that spark in his eye. [LNB]"He could have sat at home, yet he chose to go there. He had two, three days to live and that is where he wanted to be. Yet what would he have done at home - sat there and thought about dying, maybe terrified? The way to get through was to enjoy his passion."[LNB]Arsenal get their Premier League campaign underway against Everton this weekend and Wenger will no doubt welcome news that centre-half Thomas Vermaelen is ready to make his debut, having recovered from a groin problem. [LNB]With Kolo Toure sold to Manchester City and Johan Djourou (knee) set for a spell out, the 23-year-old is expected to partner veteran William Gallas in a defence which was all too often brutally exposed last season. [LNB]But the squad may well have to do without England forward Theo Walcott who has failed to make any pre-season appearances owing to an extended break following his international duty with the England U21 side and a recurring back problem. [LNB]"We have some problems," Wenger said when assessing his squad on their return from the midweek internationals. "We have Theo Walcott, who is not available. Diaby has a little groin problem, but he could be available. [LNB]"[Also] we have lost Johan Djourou and Lukasz Fabianski because they had injuries. Lukasz had a cartilage surgery. He will be out for two months. Johan has a knee problem that will take some time to cure - one month."[LNB]
