Filed under: Arsenal, Tottenham, Premier League, Football
Le Professeur is fast beginning to resemble one of those sputtering substitute teachers that winds up covered in chalk dust and a "kick me" sign on his back before the day is out.Straight after Arsene Wenger watched his Arsenal team throw away a two-goal lead at White Hart Lane - the second time in three days that his side had been in a winning position yet finished with a point - his familiar bluster had a hollow ring to it. Not to mention an unwelcome dose of paranoia.
It was one of the most thrilling games of the season, yet Wenger was forced to hide his frustrations by demanding his side got the recognition they deserved. For a team to have put that sort of performance, he reasoned, after the injustice of the last-gasp draw against Liverpool was something to behold.
According to Wenger, his side's mental strength was all the more admirable because of the "hammering" they have been subjected to by pundits on TV, online and in print over the season.
Of course. That hammering that came about after Arsenal threw away a four-goal lead against Newcastle, failed to score against ten-man Blackburn or twice let Tottenham back into the game when they should have closed out the match.
Or letting the chance to win a first trophy for five years slip through their fingers simply because two of his players are seemingly unable to communicate at a crucial time - such as when Birmingham are about to score a Carling Cup winner.
And as for the notion that the title race was over, Wenger was having none of it following his side's 3-3 draw at White Hart Lane, which was made all the more entertaining because Arsenal's attacking prowess was inversely proportional to their ability to defend.
"It is still wide open," Wenger insisted. "We have to get ready for our next game and fight, as we do. This team has a remarkable attitude, they are remarkably consistent. It is open, it is down to us to keep battling."
If by "wide open" he was referring to the yawning gap between Arsenal in third and Manchester United in the lead, we could understand.
But he is still of the opinion that his side can do no wrong. "This team has a remarkable attitude, they are remarkably consistent," he added. He is right in that they are consistent. They have drawn no less than four of their last five games.
As for the perceived criticism that the Gunners lack a winning mentality which came from Cesc Fabregas, Wenger refused to believe anything that was supposed to have been said in the Spanish magazine Don Balon actually came from the mouth of his captain.
Which is a shame, because aside from the garish headlines, the reported quotes actually made sense. But no, Wenger maintained that his player had been misquoted. "The whole article is the exact opposite of what the player said," Wenger added angrily.
Somebody else comes to mind who says the opposite of what he should say. Perhaps it is time for Le Professeur to retrain.
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Source: http://www.fanhouse.co.uk/2011/04/21/wengers-paranoia-hides-arsenals-problems-as-title-hopes-slip-a/
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