Wenger: Managers accept ‘permanent tribunal’
The Gunners are out to get their Premier League campaign back on track against Newcastle in this evening’s late kick-off at the Emirates Stadium, having produced an impressive display when beating Galatasaray 4-1 in their midweek Champions League tie in Istanbul.
It was not so long ago the Newcastle fans all appeared united in their desire to see manager Alan Pardew sacked as the club looked set for a drawn-out relegation battle.
However, following an upturn in fortunes which saw the Magpies knock Manchester City out of the Capital One Cup and then last weekend end Chelsea’s unbeaten start to the season, Pardew is now very much flavour of the month — his side now level on points with Arsenal, in seventh place.
Wenger, who continues to see his own position questioned by some Arsenal supporters, accepts such highs and lows come with the territory.
“Society is like it is today. You want to win the next game. It is a permanent tribunal from everybody, and it is as it is. You have to cope with that,” said Wenger, who last season presided over his 1,000th match in charge at Arsenal.
“I have sympathy for every manager who suffers.”
The 65-year-old French coach came in for harsh personal criticism after the 3-2 defeat at Stoke last Saturday, when he was jeered by a small group of Arsenal fans as the players boarded a train back to London. Pardew slammed that treatment as “totally disrespectful”, and claimed Arsenal should name Emirates Stadium after Wenger in recognition of his efforts.
Wenger, who had a touchline row with Pardew when he was West Ham manager in 2006, responded: “I am very thankful for compliments, but I don’t want anything. I don’t deserve that one thing.
“The one thing is to do well in my job for this club, which is what I always try to do.”
Wenger has been impressed with Newcastle’s response after a testing start.
“Alan Pardew has gone through a very difficult patch at Newcastle and he has dealt with it with strength and dignity. Fortunately he has been rewarded,” Wenger said.
Arsenal have defensive problems because of injuries and a one-match suspension for Calum Chambers, so right-back Mathieu Debuchy could be asked to move over to centre-half, the France international having just returned from three months out with an ankle problem.
Despite the loss of midfielder Aaron Ramsey to a hamstring injury, Arsenal still have plenty of attacking options. German forward Lukas Podolski netted a brace in Istanbul, but Wenger said everyone would have to be patient for an opportunity.
“I can understand the frustrations of the players who are top quality and don’t play, but as well that is part of the job,” he said.
Meanwhile Gunners striker Olivier Giroud says Wenger is still a “great manager” and told fans not to forget everything the Frenchman has done for the club.
“The fans want you to win every single game, especially when they follow you to away games,” Giroud said.
“I understand the fans are really disappointed but we are very disappointed as well. It is not the manager (who is to blame). He is a great manager. Just because we lost at Stoke in an away game does not mean the season is finished or that everything is over.
“There is no other coach who knows Arsenal better than him, so I am in no doubt he is the man to solve this situation.”
For his part, Alan Pardew has hailed the “priceless” talent of striker Papiss Cisse for his part in the club’s revival.
Cisse scored both goals as his side became the first to sink Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea at St James’ Park last weekend.
Pardew said: “Papiss is one of those priceless players. At the moment he is red-hot and if we give him the chances, I feel pretty confident he will take them.”
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