Wenger reaps whirlwind for cutting corners

WE know all about coals to Newcastle but how about ‘B’s’ to Braga and duds to Donetsk?

That’s how a long suffering Arsenal fan of my acquaintance — no hints as to identity, but he’s blowing smoke out his ears and sharpening a knife with his teeth as he oversees this column for printing — characterised Arsene Wenger’s corner-cutting in the Champions League group stage, a short-sighted tactic which now looks set to reap the whirlwind in the knock-out round.

It’s hard to argue the point. Arsenal ran riot against SC Braga and Shakhtar Donetsk at the Emirates, racking up an incredible 11 goals in two games back in September and October but, away from home, and apparently in the hubristic belief that the hard work was already done, they contrived to lose against both sides, with the result that they could only finish up second in the group.