After reports emerged that former Gunner Mikel Arteta had his head cut open in a tunnel brawl between players and staff of Man Utd and Man City, Arsene Wenger pointed the finger at the media who look to inflame passions before a big game.
Sunday’s showdown between the two Manchester clubs was preceded by a clash between Liverpool and Everton on what Sky had billed ‘Double Derby Day’.
That all spilled over when football’s sorest loser (and winner), Jose Mourinho, accused City’s players of lacking respect in victory, sparking a punch-up and for Arteta to come off wounded.
Asked about it at his press conference today, Wenger said with a grin, “I heard about that, but I’ve not seen anything.
“It’s part of the incident, sometimes it can happen in big derbies. You are always very good the press, you build things up like they are life and death and then when something happens after, you are surprised.
“It’s part of the intensity and the importance of the games sometimes, it can go a bit over board. It’s happened to us, it happened to them. It’s unfortunate.
“Ideally, you would commit 100 per cent, 200 per cent on the pitch and be an angel after, but it is not always the case.”
The Arsenal manager was asked if he thought City’s celebrations might have been over the top, and referenced his time in Japan and in particular sumo wrestling as an example of how respect can be shown when you win.
“I don’t know what happened, really,” he said. It is difficult to take when you lose a big game to see the 100 per cent celebration on the other side.
“It’s always like witnessing an offence, that’s why when I was in Japan, I admired sumo. In sumo you never can tell the guy who wins.
“He doesn’t show his happiness because of respect for his opponent. That shows how deep the culture is there of the respect for each other.
“Is it something we can copy? I don’t think so, because it’s not part of our culture.”
It would be nice if there was that kind of thing a bit more often, but the closest the Premier League gets to sumo is when Xherdan Shaqiri and Charlie Adam tussle on the Stoke training pitch, and frankly that’s an image none of us need.
And yet now I have that image in my head, so thanks for that. 😉
Absolute vintage Wenger there …’to see the 100 per cent celebration on the other side,’
I always read his quotes in his accent too.
Still, my all time favourite is the ‘Look, errrrrr…’
When Wenger retires I’d like Joachim Lòw to replace him.
You’re nuts
Joachim Low likes to scratch it and smell it!?
For crying out loud that guy has proven that he can win games with star studded squad and other wise, his defensive record is impressive, and he knows how to bring out the best in players.
But his smelling act was the death knell on his arsenal prospects
I thought it was mourinho trying to copy what pep did with bertrand just it went all wrong for him. Pep got the respect of the opposition player mourinho ended up bust up. More importantly how does milk and pizza end up in a tunnel during the game?
It is odd.
Traditionally one would bring rotten fruit and veg to chuck at Mourinho.
The thing is, Arsenal aren’t the cleanest club with this either. I still remember Szczesny taking a selfie at the end of the win at White Hart Lane.
I think the celebration should be there. It’s pure catharsis.
The players spend enough days beforehand, worrying about the potential repercussions if they lose. All the days they keep hearing about how they cannot lose the derby match at any cost, so when the team does win, all of the pressure should find a release.
Pochettino comes close?
Any other teams/managers in this, I’d be fairly neutral given I can see both sides…but the thoughts of Mourinho being offended/upset because the opposition showed a lack of respect just makes me laugh out loud. The man has made a career out of not showing any respect !! For opposition managers, players, fans…not to mention the media…and even his own players, never mind the opposition !
Everyone should be respected. Except mourinho. And shawcross. And Ashley Cole. And Evra. And Deeney. And Adebayor. And Mourinho.
The despicable 11
Tim Krul
Gary Neville Shawcross John Terry Ashley Cole
Arnautovic Roy Keane Robbie Savage Nasri
Rooney Costa
Keeper was the hardest to think of whereas despicable strikers are a dime a dozen. (Rv*, Van Nippleroy, Adebayor etc)
I find it very hard to imagine a day when Oh Teddy Teddy you went to Man Utd & you’re still a cnut wouldn’t be the first name on my despicable side.
Other than that good selection though gotta be worse than Tim Krul out there? (I am struggling to think of a hateful keeper too mind you)
For me, I’d replace Nasri with Robben, and Savage with Barton. Otherwise perfect. Nice call on Krul. I’d forgotten what an idiot he was, and it’s hard to think of keepers I hate…I mean I remember wanting to hate Paul Robinson, but it’s hard to hate a clown.
You’re right about strikers / forwards. For a while there (mid 2000s), I didn’t hate anyone more than Kevin Nolan and Kevin Davies!
Sorry, I’m missing the Krul thing. That one run in with RvP aside I’m not sure I can think of anything to deserve being on that list??
The dark lord threw a death spell at Arteta. Luckily for him, his magical hair deflected it and he ended with only a scar on his forehead. Now he must await an hirsute biker to come and take him to an old man who would teach him many secret tricks.
Grant Holt
@Adgonner:You forgot to mention John Terry.
This is true and a nice comment from Wenger. But to be a bit glib, the guy who lost is the one rolling around on the floor.