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Defensive duo feel wrath of Wenger
James Olley, Sports Correspondent31.10.08
Arsene Wenger's decision not to sign a top-quality central defender in the summer was under fresh scrutiny today after William Gallas and Mikael Silvestre were blamed for the 4-4 collapse against Tottenham.
The two France stars were reported to have been singled out for criticism by the Arsenal manager in a heated dressing-room exchange that followed Wednesday's derby.
Arsenal conceded two goals in the dying moments to allow Spurs to snatch a draw but it felt more like a defeat to Wenger.
Sources claimed there were raised voices in the post-match inquest with full-back Gael Clichy said to be close to tears.
Wenger was particularly concerned about the defensive lapses - Gallas and Silvestre are a new centre-back partnership - while anger was also directed at striker Emmanuel Adebayor. Wenger is now poised to ring the changes in his back four for tomorrow's match at Stoke with Kolo Toure set to return in place of Gallas, who has a hamstring injury.
Arsenal scoured Europe for a new centre-half last summer but Wenger ended up only signing utility defender Silvestre, who was deemed surplus to requirements at Manchester United.
Adebayor today raised doubts over Arsenal's ability to win the Premier League title, admitting he is "tired" of stressing the need not to drop points.
Following defeats to Fulham and Hull, Arsenal lie six points behind leaders Liverpool.
The 24-year-old said: "To be honest, I am tired of saying we can't drop points any more. We have to keep going and we'll see. Leading 4-2 and Spurs come back, for me in my head I cannot understand it. To try and be champions in this way, you can never be champions, that is for sure."
Reader views (5)
Julius Nuga en any other gunners who may have hope of a trophy this season,pliz forget.dont raise yo hopes for nothing.iam sure wenger aint going to bring any experienced players come jan.the best he will do is to bring more kids just to fill the reserves.he said the same things last season but look what happened in the summer...imagin silvester of all defenders in the world.just enjoy the beautiful game as we aint taking nothing.our team last season was more solid but still nothing happened,wat about now.
- Maria Degunner, kampala,uganda
Clichy had a fantastic game up until that mistake and should not be blamed for the debacle that unfolded after that. The simple fact remains that Wenger should have signed a top class, experienced central defender in the close season as well as a hard tackling defensive midfielder. Most Gooners have been saying this for months now and perhaps now the penny has finally dropped with Wenger too!
- Nick, Surrey, UK
Great if Gallas were sold or kicked out!!!!!
I am tired of his behaviour!
He is no leader and a crap defender.
As i have said since last season we need a new central defender in the Sol C mode alongside Kolo.
Otherwise we will never win anything!!!
- Dan, Stockholm Sweden
I rarely disagree with Mr Wenger's comments, but in this instance I feel his substitutions upset the balance of the team. Theo Walcott was keeping Tottenhams left-side busy & when he replaced him with Eboue, it gave Tottenham the initiative to attack that side of the pitch with Lennon. Also, in taking off Van Persie, the best player on the pitch, he disrupted the system by replacing him with Song, a defensive midfield player.
Against Stoke I would play Djourou with Toure at the centre of the defensive, replace Almunia with Fabianski, Nasri with Abu Diaby, Denilson with Song & Adebayor with Bendtner. These changes should give us a more powerful team to withstand Stoke's style of play.
- Rob Gooner, North London
If the reports that Clichy was close to tears after the game, I think we should give him a lot of credit because it shows he takes responsibility for the 3rd goal which probably gave Spurs the belief and also he cares for the club. Well, in the dyig minutes the defensive work is the duty of every player on the pitch and Ade should have been there defending as well. I am a Gooner and had a sleepless night after the game because I could not understand how it all unfolded. Having said that, I sincerely hope that we have learnt our lessons and will not allow it to happen again. The season has just begun and there is a lot to look forward to in the coming weeks and months -The Carling Cup, FA Cup, Premier League and The Champions League. Mark my words 'we will not end this season trophyless. Vive les Gooners
- Julius Nuga, Abbots Langley UK
