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Club Focus – Arsenal – Wenger rails against UEFA as Arsenal desperately need to get back on track against United
It is now three days since Arsenal’s exit from the Champions League at the hands of Barcelona, yet the fallout continues. Arsene Wenger refutes impending UEFA sanctions for his post-match conduct, instead calling for European football’s governing body to: “show some humility.”
Given the controversial nature of Robin van Persie’s sending off and the manager’s subsequent outrage, it is hard to imagine Wenger was not guilty of using ‘inappropriate language’ although he vehemently denies the charges: “I deny completely any charge. I do not understand where that comes from.” The manager’s perceived injustice extends as far as the governing body as he waits, seemingly in vain, for an apology: “It would be good for UEFA to show some humility, to apologise for what has happened, not charge people who have done nothing wrong.”
The Frenchman’s outspoken comments are a far cry from the calculated response when questioned about a similarly unfavourable refereeing decision against Sunderland. In this sense the extent of his outrage seems to correspond to the gravity of the occasion. Victory in the Nou Camp was supposed to announce the arrival of his young charges on the European scene, casting off the derisory comments about age, mentality and inexperience. Through a combination of incessant pressure – both from the opposition and 95,000 baying fans – and numerical disadvantage, just as in the 2006 final, Barça shattered Wenger’s dreams.
Events certainly conspired. Although van Persie’s dismissal has been hotly disputed, the Dutchman was hardly firing on all cylinders at that point. Similarly, a young Cesc Fabregas would probably have dreamt of impressing in his first appearance at the Nou Camp, yet his outing rapidly turned into a nightmare. Without their key men on form, Arsenal struggled. Had Xavi and Messi been absent Barça may not have such an all-conquering force, yet, rather than pondering ‘what ifs?’ a closer examination of ‘why?’ is necessary. Just as in last season’s trip to Catalunya, Arsenal’s squad was hit by injury whilst their hosts were able to call upon their star men. The demands of the Premier League appeared to take their toll on the squad, whilst Wenger’s game plan of utilising the fitness levels instilled by the Premier League departed along with van Persie.
Objectively the defeat is not shameful. In Lionel Messi, Barcelona possess the world’s best player and are arguably the world’s best team, with some going as far as to add the superlative ‘ever.’ It is the impact upon the Gunners’ momentum that could show the true significance of the result. Arsenal closed the gap at the top of the league to three points last weekend and face title rivals Manchester United in the FA Cup on Saturday. Just as victory could be the catalyst for a tilt at the double, the blow to morale a defeat would induce could prove terminal for Arsenal’s hopes of silverware this season.
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