Arsene stands up for Gunners
06 Nov 2008 - 07:48:19
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger again hit out at the physical treatment meted out to his side, following a 0-0 Champions League draw at home to Fenerbahce.
Wenger courted controversy by complaining about Stoke City's tactics at the weekend and backed that up with more of the same after seeing Mikael Silvestre suffer a broken nose against the Turks.
The Frenchman said: "You can look at the fair play table. Who is top? Arsenal Football Club.
"We have no lessons to learn from anyone on that front. Look at the team that makes less fouls, it is Arsenal Football Club.
"Who gets the more yellow cards after four or five fouls? Arsenal Football Club.
"Some teams get their first yellow card after 15 fouls. I cannot read the book or something is wrong.
"I'm responsible for the behaviour of Arsenal and we are top. I do not make that table. Instead of having a go at us, people should look somewhere else."
Wenger went on to add about his criticism of Stoke: "I responded to some statements made by a Stoke player.
"I wasn't happy with some tackles and wanted to say that you don't have to be brave to tackle from behind. The brave one is the guy who tries to play football.
"Why should I regret that? I maintain that strongly. It is not bitterness after a defeat.
"Sometimes in England we feel 'he didn't fancy that'. Of course we didn't fancy that because that is not football.
"Of course we are ready to battle, but it depends what you mean by battle."