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Euro cup-tied rule is illogical, says Wenger
James Olley23 Feb 2009
Arsene Wenger today branded the UEFA rule that denies Arsenal the chance to play Andrey Arshavin in the Champions League this season as "illogical".
The 27-year-old played in the group stages for former club Zenit St Petersburg prior to his £15million move to North London last month.
Competition rules dictate no player can represent two different clubs in the same season, meaning Arshavin is ineligible for the Gunners' Champions League campaign, which continues with tomorrow night's first knockout round, first-leg visit of Roma.
Wenger said: "I am frustrated because Arshavin played in a team that is out of the competition so the logic is not really obvious.
"If he can play in the Premier League and the FA Cup, why not be qualified for us in the Champions League?
"He has played for a team that cannot play any more in the Champions League and who now plays in the UEFA Cup.
"It's the rule so I guess we cannot complain too much because we knew that when we bought him."
The Gunners boss's frustrations have been exacerbated by injuries to captain Cesc Fabregas, Theo Walcott, Eduardo and Tomas Rosicky,
Wenger also suggested he will consider himself a "failure" should his side fail to win the Champions League.
The Gunners came closest to triumphing in the competition in 2006, when losing to Barcelona in the final, and Wenger added: "I feel that every time I don't win something I view it as a failure.
I am here to win and give my best every time but as well you have to accept in Europe you have 20 massive clubs and there are 19 disappointed at the end of the season. Let's hope it's the other 19 who are disappointed.
“What drives me personally is to be as good as I can, sometimes to get the best out of the team you sit down at the end of the season and think did I do it or not? Did I take the best out of the team? I try to be as objective as I can.
“That's why I always want to go a complete season unbeaten — because then there is not much room for improvement.”
Arshavin himself meanwhile, admits he needs time to adapt to the pace of the Premier League after making his Arsenal debut in Saturday's
0-0 draw against Sunderland.
The 27-year-old produced several moments of high quality before signs of fatigue prompted his 63rd-minute withdrawal for Carlos Vela.
It was an encouraging display given his most recent competitive match was for Zenit against Real Madrid last December — though Arshavin urged has fans to be patient as he gets used to the pace of the English game.
The playmaker said: “I am doing everything I can to be fully fit as soon as possible.
“If I played on Saturday in the Russian Premier League, I think I would have been okay but the English Premier League is quicker. So I will have to see how long it takes me to be up to speed.”
The Russian's promising performance was one of the few positives to take out of a disappointing Arsenal display which has left them six points behind fourth-placed Aston Villa.
“I enjoyed my debut in front of so many spectators but am disappointed we did not get the result,” added Arshavin. “Sunderland played very defensive.”
Reader views (10)
Does the whining wenger think the rules need changing as it is his problem..other clubs get on with it so why doesn`t he..he clearly feels his young shot shy gooners are not up to it..his team needed a load of strengthning in defence and midfield...he knew what was needed but went for a cup tied and not match fit russian...either he could not get who he wanted or there is clearly not the money there...rumours abound that things are not too good in the boardroom and finance levels of the club,but all misty eyed gooners will deny this...
- Evs, uxbridge, 24/02/2009 13:47
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The Euro cup tie rules are there to prevent a player whose team is knocked out of a competition getting transferred thereafter and playing for another team still in the competition. At the beginning of the year each team assesses the strengths and weaknesses of their team vs. others and strengthens themselves where necessary and possible. Transfer from one team to another upsets this balance without the other teams having the time or opportunity to correct their own team weaknesses. In any case, Arsene himself has admitted he knew the rules when he bought Arshavin.
- Nat, New Malden, UK, 24/02/2009 10:15
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What I find illogical was
1. Failing to strengthen the team for 2 years in a row.
2. Loosing Flamini,Diarra and Hleb and replacing them with Bischoff.
3. Playing Eboue and Song.
4. Failing to score from and defend from set plays
5. Having a strong number 2 coach to challenge and help Wenger with tactics.
I respect Wenger but I love Arsenal more. Can someone please tell him and the board that they need to change and be more pragmatic and deal with the now. Arsenal's purpose is not one to develop young players it is to win trophies. I hope I am proved wrong, all we need is a small change in direction.
- Garrincha7, London, 23/02/2009 22:46
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What is Wenger complaining for?? He knew Arshavin cannot play in Europe so why did he buy him. He should have gone for someone else.
Only a club like Arsenal would keep a manager after so long,after bad results and managership.If Wenger was with a club in Italy or Spain he would have been given one way ticket to France.He has ruined a great team with his wrong approach to most problem.
Lets not forget that Edu,Wiltord,Pires and Flamini bought for millions and left on a free transfer.
A.Messina
- A.Messina, Malta, 23/02/2009 19:47
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I think Wenger strives for perfect football, the perfect goal, the perfect season etc. Instead of tempering these high standards with a bit of grit and determination he goes at it again. You have to give the guy credit for sticking with his principles. He managed the undefeated season once and still talks about it as the holy grail.
He needs to put his own personal ideas of excellence to one side and realise that the trophy cabinet is what people will visit in years to come - the club has to have something to show for their efforts. This isn't a beauty contest, it's football. Time to put art to one side and stamp your authority on the game.
Don't be lured into "just look at the side we could put out if everyone was fit" conversation because you will ALWAYS have injuries. You have to live without your best players for weeks on end like everyone - you have to beat teams who set themselves up to frustrate your artists. Try burying one in the back of the net from 5 yards and see if the crowd appreciate it any less than a 25 pass masterpiece?
- Jon, london,England, 23/02/2009 16:53
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Arsenal's Board of Directors need to be brave in May and stand Arsene Wenger down as Manager. He has taken us as far as he can.
Arsenal are a big club and need to move on now. Thanks Arsene and best wishes.
- Harry Jones, Barnet, 23/02/2009 15:28
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i have truly had enough of Wengers ridiculous rants! time for some new blood and fresh ideas cos wenger has clearly run out of them!
- Ben, London, 23/02/2009 14:29
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Ok, im getting fed up with all these so called Gooners having a go at Wenger!!! We are not missing to much from becoming a trophy winning squad. To have the likes of Cesc, Rosicky, Walcott, Diaby, Eduardo out for most of the season and Adeybaor for the past 3 weeks im happy we haven't lost this year! Next year with everyone fit we will be very, very strong.....Toure/Gallas, Cesc/Denilson, Nasri/Rosicky, RVP/Arshavin. Squad players like..Djourou, Gibbs, Song, Diaby, Ramsey, Walcott, Wilshere, Eduardo, Bentdner, Vela. Plus new signings after selling Silvestre, Eboue, Traore, Adeybaor! Central Defender, Central Midfielder, Striker....Sakho(C/D), Melo(D/M), Davide Villa(S).
- Newmy, Milton Keynes, 23/02/2009 13:59
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Dear Mr Wenger,
May I play too?
It may take me time to get up to speed, but as long as you are paying me my full fee and money in the mean while it will be really great, thank you.
If I play badly we can always blame the opposition, cant we?
- Gunpowderless Gunner!, South Africa, 23/02/2009 10:40
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The Invincibles are now the ALSO-RANS,Arshavin did ok,but for WHINGER WENGER to call him the new Maradona is little blinkered,as last summer he called him a lightweight and not not worth the fee when other clubs were after him...And again Wenger blames others when his team fails that is four blank scores from his side recently,so he blames the opposition,what a load of rubbish,does he expect visisting sides to play like he wants,Man Utd, chelsea manage to break teams down,so why cant the gooners do it with their superb,skillful amaxing players,but are spineless and have no other ideas...pity for wenger...in his own wonderful world AGAIN
- Phil, croxley, 23/02/2009 09:39
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