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Arsene Wenger under fire as fans demand answers
James Olley15.05.09
Arsene Wenger last night came under fire from angry Arsenal fans upset that the club have now gone four seasons without winning a trophy.
Wenger was clearly taken aback at a question-and-answer session organised by Arsenal's shareholders and snapped when one described Mikael Silvestre as a "geriatric".
"I cannot accept that you speak about the players of your club like that," retorted the Gunners boss. "You are attacking the players and that is much worse than attacking me."
But the ire of the shareholders did not stop at criticising the acquisition of the former Manchester United defender while allowing Philippe Senderos to leave the club on loan.
Supporters were also upset that Wenger had let five international midfielders leave in the space of 12 months without replacing any of them; opted not to pick Andrey Arshavin for the FA Cup semi-final when he was cup tied in Europe; failed to insist on his players acknowledging away fans after defeats; failed to address his side's vulnerability at set-pieces; consistently played his midfielders out of position; turned a blind eye to the diving of Emmanuel Adebayor and Emmanuel Eboue and assembled a squad which lacks a natural captain in the mould of Patrick Vieira or Tony Adams.
Wenger promised that he will try to address the problem by spending money if he has to this summer. He is believed to have already sounded out Atletico Madrid over a deal to sign former Manchester United striker Diego Forlan as he tries to win a trophy next season for the first time since the FA Cup in 2005.
But Wenger, who has been in charge at Arsenal since 1997, was clearly upset at the attacks on his players.
He added: "It is easy to sit in the stand and say that they are not up for the fight. What they have done in this season in a negative environment shows what they can do.
"There is a massive difference between the away fans, who are absolutely fantastic, and the home ones. It is always that negative way of thinking, that the players do not care. If we do not get there next year then I am responsible and will stand up for it. But what this team needs is people who are fans of the club.
"Many times people are upset when the players have gone. Some players have good periods or bad periods. If they don't do well it is because they have lost confidence. But the only way to help a guy who has lost confidence is to support him.
But by slaughtering him it does not help. We have had negative vibes and manipulation around the team. It is very hard work to keep the confidence and energy demands because we had to support the team against the odds.”
Wenger also revealed he would let Adebayor leave for one of his main rivals. If the Togo international does go to Chelsea, Forlan could be his replacement.
Sources close to the Uruguayan confirmed the Gunners made a tentative enquiry but were told they will have to match the £32million buy-out clause in his contract.
Although Atletico president Enrique Cerezo remains confident they will hang on to the 29-year-old, Forlan has indicated a willingness to leave this summer.
It is thought Forlan feels he has a point to prove in the Premier League after scoring just 17 goals in 98 appearances for United before joining Villarreal in 2004.
The forward has resurrected his career in Spain and is in stunning form for Atletico this season having netted 27 times in La Liga.
Reader views (18)
I hope he does go to Real Madrid, then he can indulge his ridiculous fantasies over there. I really despise what he has turned us into. His anti-English bias is a disgrace and the wingeing, pussy-footed players he seems to like will hopefully join him there and we can move on with rebuilding a side that actually represents the football club with pride and belief.
- Chris Hume, Billericay, England
I do hope Wenger stays at Arsenal next season. then we will not have to worry that the Gooners will challenge our supremacy. The stadium is a souless corporate tomb, the fans are fickle, the board a disgrace and the manager has lost the plot. great innit?
- Kerry, Purley
Hi Nobert, I can understand your anger, but I do feel that what I am saying makes sense. Flogging and beating the players in public is not a solution. Believe me, as a Gooner, I am hurting but I still believe that the players have not become so bad that we cannot trust them to pick themselves up. Yes, Bendtner was wrong to be at the Night Club- could he have gone there to drown his sorrow and disappointment? only he knows. Let us get behind the team and remember there are 20 teams vying for the fisrt place-unfortunately we did not make it but, I am convinced that 2009/10 will be our season.
- Julius Nuga, Abbots Langley UK
Arsenal were a big club, but no longer are. Arsene is very cocky even when he gets beat.Only Fabergas would get into the Man Utd side, and that says it all. There are too many arrogant players at Arsenal and there is no more money to buy big names. Arsenal will struggle next season to qualify for the champions league with the likes of Tottenham/Aston Villa and Everton hot on their tails.
- Gelby, LONDON
Typical whinging Gooners. You DO NOT have a divine right to win a trophy every year. I don't support a Prem club so have no axe to grind, but you lot are a joke. You've done a good job in transferring the old Library into the Emirates, and the way you turn on individual players such as Eboue is hardly condusive to encouraging the team.
You spoilt brats should understand that to finance a magnificent stadium while still being competitive in all competitions - without the backing of an ' Abramovich ' - is an achievement in itself. It seems like you lot would sacrifice the principals that have made your club such a great one. Just another example I guess of the dumbing down of this country...
- Neill Hurley, Sussex ,
Julius dont talk nonsense, how do you know the players feel bad after losing?? if you were picking up 50k every week win or lose would you care (need i mention Bendtner pictured plastered after we had lost). am sick of this nonsense we need run the club professionally without debts, look at man u with all their debts but now onto their 3rd title in as many years but do you for one think its all gonna come crumbling down soon and they maybe relegated to the championship, i think not, if fergie wants to buy a player he doesn't hesitate or bulk at the price he lets the CEO worry about that whereas wenger (economics degree) is concerned about saving the club money, its not your job mate, u need to worry about winning trophies that's all
- Norbert -Gooner, london
Without a doubt Wenger thinks he is much bigger than Arsenal FC.
- James Hennessy, london england
I see this as a wake-up call for both Wenger and the team. But, I do not accept that the players and managers are attacked. I am sure it pains them more than anybody else to lose a match because a defeat is like a failure to everyone. They have friends in other clubs and I am sure the banter they get after every match is enough for them to want to do well. Let us get behind the club- 2009/10 season could be ours to celebrate. I am very optimistic and so should all the fans. Vive les Gooners.
- Julius Nuga, Abbots Langley UK
The current Arsenal side isn't great, and Arsenal are now a nearly team semi final team not a champions team. Arsenal have a lot of promise for the future, but that future is still a few years away (too long) as the current Arsenal team is too young and has a very weak defence. Credit should be given that Arsenal got to the Champions League Semi Final with such a young side, and are still a top 4 side (but whould be in the top 2). But Arsene Wenger needs to buy some experienced players to balance the side, and with Andrey Arshavin who has been a brilliant signing, I think next season will be a lot more successful if Aresne Wenger spends some money on players this summer. Manchester United do it, and Chelsea (who not so longer ago were no threat to Aresnal) do it and so should Arsenal to stay at the top and once again be London's greatest team.
- Ben S, London
Everybody knows that when you win expectations rise!! ALL managers have to deal with, moyes, fergie, chelsea managers, rafa but wenger tries to use the fact that we weren't always so sucessful to bring the current levels of expectations down!! We went from invinsible to "keeping the faith". I say all big clubs MUST have very high expectations that must be met within a certain period and that US GOONERS will NOT lower our expectations for our beloved club!!
NO one is bigger than ARSENAL FC!
- Dean D, London
I received my Arsenal season ticket renewal notice yesterday - £1067 for an average seat. Perhaps Wenger feels the team offers value for money - but in my view the last season has not. A blend of experience and oustanding young talent should be the blueprint. Too many experienced players have left, and replaced by promising youngsters. It's time to get the balance in the side right, and restore some experience and fight to the side.
- The Plumster, London
As a Spurs fan I would like to encourage Arsenal to sack Wenger immediately. After all he hasn't made Arsenal an attractive side to watch and doesn't have the respect of the fan bases of other clubs. 
- Coys Switz, switzerland
I think he has a good point about the supporters. I have a theory that the old Highbury was full of fans who had been through highs and lows but supported whatever, they were experienced . Since the move to the Emirates I am surrounded by people who know nothing about football, critisize the players for the slightest error, are abusive to the players,cant accept that the club is run on a budget , think that having bought a ticket it means we have a devine right to win the league every year . They need to be realistic , the team was in the top 4 in Europe this year , will be competitive next year . The margins between success and failure are tiny, and the fans support can make the difference.
- Jeff Lovelock, London,uk
£32m for a 29 year old Forlan - that way madness lies! Maybe just change the club name to Arsene-nil?
- Paul, London
Why does Wenger not accept that the team are not good enough and cannot challenge the likes of Man U? He must stop making excuses and address the problem. He constantly makes false promises to the fans and lets down the ones that do not to be lied to and given false promises.... time and time again!
STOP IT.
- Jon, London
This is the end for Wenger you cannot blame the home fans for our failings this season that is an absurd statement. Maybe Arsenal FC has outgrown you Mr Wenger.
I know it sounds arrogant but you cannot charge the highest prices in the World and make £3m+ every home game and then blame the fans!!. He has now alienated a large percentage of the fans. Also isnt one United reject enough without signing Forlan?!.
- Dan, Salisbury
Wenger has to realise that he is not untouchable. Arsenal fans will be eternally grateful for what he has done for the club, however complacency will not be tolerated. The squad at the moment seems to be one big science experiment. What we need is a return to reality and for Wenger to compliment the youth and talent with some grit and experience. I don't agree with Wenger that buying established internationals will ruin the development of the younger squad members. Youth can be improved by experienced players. Who else have they got to learn from at present? Wenger needs to listen to the fans. Otherwise our potential will never be realised.
- Ben, Barnet, England
Sylvestre is not a geriatric... He is not that quick!!
- Brian, london
