30 Aug 2009

Arsene Wenger: I salute you!

Massive kudos to Arsenal Manager Arsene Wenger for his legendary display of defiance at Old Trafford yesterday.

After Robin Van Persie's late goal was disallowed for being offside, a frustrated Wenger was sent-off by card-happy referee Mike Dean for the heinous infraction of kicking a water bottle.

Wenger didn't leave the field though; he headed straight for Old Trafford's main stand - right next to a baying mob of United fans - and crossed his arms in defiance.



I personally think Wenger knew exactly what he was doing, and all power to him for standing up to refereeing incompetence.

It now transpires that Wenger is to receive an apology from referees chief Keith Hackett over the incident. League Managers Association chief Richard Bevan said:

"I've spoken to Keith Hackett and he fully recognises the situation was an error and an apology will follow to Arsene Wenger.

"Lee Probert totally failed to manage the situation and created a needless pressure point taking the focus away from the pitch in a big event with only a minute to go."

"Although correct in 'law', the decision was completely out of context in the game and it was followed by the nonsense which followed over where Arsene Wenger should sit."

Quite right too, though it irritates me that Bevan has very publicly blamed the fourth official for this mess. Probert is not responsible for 'managing the situation' - that's Dean's responsiblity, is it not? After all, he didn't have to send Wenger off, did he?

Anyway, Wenger is a fantastic manager; his teams play football the way it *should* be played, and the Premiership is a better league with him in it.



72 comments:

  1. As an Arsenal fan i'd like to pass on my respect to you for an excellent article. This is why Liverpool fans are respected the world over.

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  2. Alright, cheers scouse m8.

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  3. Can't deny Wenger is class..

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  4. I loved the way he went up there and crossed his arms, knewing he'd be getting abused all over the place but h didn't care and probably wound the United supporters up even more :) .

    Silly decision by the ref.

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  5. Old Trafford strikes again.  The end bit was pure comedy.

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  6. good man, it's good to see some respect for a class act like Arsene from someone who's not an Arsenal fan.

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  7. Cheers mate! Much respect.

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  8. Cheers m8....massive repespect for this article!

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  9. Excellent article. Wenger was class personified and Mike Dean buckled to the pressure of the game.

    How he didn't give a penalty against Fletcher beggars belief.

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  10. Cheers m8!! Massive respect for this article.

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  11. Nice post, thank you.

    Arsenal should publicly ask them to condemn the singing of that particular song. As it is, the normal policy of observing a dignified silence has been observed. Old habits die hard - the media are entirely sympathetic to United because they retain the view that United represent all that is good about English football.

    The likes of Clive Tyldesley perpetuate the myth - although I respect United more than Chelsea - and the Premier League appear anxious to protect their "most marketable product".

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  12. today i stumbled upon a manyoo blog said that arsenal always cheat. i just don't understand why they keep telling arsenal always cheat. did they really played fair games all of these times or they are just too stupid to admit that they are way worse than any team in cheating.

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  13. Thanks 'pool,

    I always look at Liverpool as an honourable club with morale, values and history like our selves. United have no class and as for Chelsea I love it when you boys remind them of the gulf in history. ;)

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  14. Great post in respect and awe of a great manager, and above all, a great 'man'.

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  15. love the way he looks in his pocket for change to give the manc scum behind him a few pence then shows the i am god sign by opening his arms then folds them pure genius is wenger BTW im a liverpool fan but that was just pure class from a great manager.

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  16. Great post. Well said.

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  17. I call this Arsene's Mourinho moment. I love it. He stood up there in open defiance, protesting against everyone who is witch-hunting his club, something I can only imagine Mourinho pulling it off. Classic and respect. Go Gunners!

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  18. Respect to you for this post, it's good to see that at least some other teams have decent and honest fans. If we don't won the league I hope you do

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  19. Wenger is pure class. I'm a Liverpool fan but I have great respect for this wonderful manager and his wonderful team. Ynwa

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  20. I'm Arsenal fan this is great article
    Dean is a bad referee No penalty on Arshavin,No yellow card for Carriclk please I hop for liverpool Mr Dean will not on Liverpoll games 
    Liverpool Fans are great

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  21. good post - i liked the way a couple of fans applauded although we should find the mixed race kid and lock him up for a couple of years

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  22. refs always crap it at Old Trafford, hence no arsenal penalty

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  23. Respect. With neutrals like you, the world isn't that unfair after all.

    I'm writing an article about this on Vital Arsenal and will feature a link to your piece in PS. Cheers.

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  24. I read it several times looking for the trace of irony but you are right, Wenger is a class act. I enjoyed the match thoroughly, even if the luck we had against Celtic came back to haunt us. I suppose that's korma or something, or is that a curry? I forget.

    We'll still thrash the Pool though.

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  25. Any shrewd spring water company should have an advert which goes something like:

    "Evian, helps you face those difficult moments"

    only for it to draw back and show Wenger kicking it into the stands.

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  26. Respect. Excellent article. Hopefully you guys will do the double over them again this season - without Ronaldo they are ordinary.

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  27. Don't worry he lives in the Wirral so is thus ineligable to referee Liverpool or Everton fixtures.

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  28. Great article, glad to know i m not the only liverpool supporter feeling the same. Yesterday was a great farce and credit to Wenger for doing what he did.

    Do you think the ref and the 4th would have done the same with Mr Ferguson? I really doubt it..

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  29. back on planet earth5:02 pm, August 30, 2009

    one hates to interupt this losers love in but aresnal had utd on the rack and couldnt finish them off.as for liverpool a stuffy win at the reebok and the title challenge is back on.youll not win the title as long as benitez is in charge and you know it.

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  30. Wenger is class, and it's such a pity that Arsenal lost. It was more like they committed suicide. I wonder what got into Diaby... I was so happy when Arshavin scored that screamer (why oh why didn't we get him?) but they just threw it all away...

    Yes, Arsenal play the game the way it should be played, but in the present scenario one wonders if it gets the results in the long run... All the good football played by Arsenal amounted to nothing, ManU won it against the run of play... and moreover, all of the current breed of Arsenal players will leave as soon as they are older/consistent...

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  31. Great article and very true indeed and I am a gooner and would like to echo the earlier gooners post regarding how well Liverpool fans are regarded by most other supporters, especially us Arsenal fans.

    Your clubs history and knowledge is second to none and no matter what those Mancs achieve I believe you will always be regarded as the better of the two clubs in all shape and form.

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  32. the man went up ALOT in my estimation just from that minute or so - cool as fuck.

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  33. P.S> No wonder it is the theatre of dreams. ALternate Reality. Hah..

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  34. If you thought you were gonna get a penalty at OT ur havin a laugh....I thought it was a clear penalty...Arshavin put the ball forward and Fletcher stopped him moving towards goal...it was an obstruction not a tackle and a double footed one at that...But teams aren't gonna get penalties at OT unless they are clear nailed on. I thought Utd were very lucky in this game

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  35. And when Utd were one nil down the atmosphee was like a 'church'....placky fans or what

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  36. its fair to expect a top ref in a game of this importance. on this occasion the ref made poor decisions at key moments.
    respect to wenger, quality manager.

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  37. Nice post mate, Arsene deserves much respect. And we all hate the mancs!

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  38. perrygrovesworld8:21 pm, August 30, 2009

    Mutual respect! Liverpool and Arsenal fans have lots in common including hating the Mancs. All of my Liverpool mates feel the same way....

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  39. Yes great article, we were robbed by the ref. How is it Arsaenal score 2 goals, The referee scores 1 and Man U win........ 1 - 2...?

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  40. It was hilarious hearing the gooners chanting, "same old scousers always cheating" at the Utd fans...left them all completely stunned and unable to muster a reply..apart from the condradictory 'we hate the scousers..." which i'm sure Rooney loves. 

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  41. yup.. totally agree.. I'm a liverpool fan.. I think rooney should be suspended for the dive..

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  42. yup.. totally agree.. I'm a liverpool fan.. I think rooney should be suspended for the dive..

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  43. As a United fan I agree Wenger is a great manager who recognises and develops talent. His teams are fun to watch and Arsenal played United off the pitch yesterday.

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  44. There was a crossing and uncrossing of the arms! Mr Wenger is clearly suggesting that it's game over... Beyond the pale!!!

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  45. I'm not surprised that arsenal didn't get a pemalty at old trafford

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  46. Cheers again from a goooner respect. Another reason why if we cant win the league i hope you boys to do so, you were  unlucky not to manage itlast season.

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  47. was in liverpool today on the liverpool stadium tour. pure class. the hillsborough memorial  at the youl never walk alone gates made me shed tears. from  a gunners fan

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  48. top man wenger. united have no class compared to this guy. for ferguson to say they deserved the win was embarassing. completely outclassed by arsenal. top team. would love wenger to take over from rafa!

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  49. Top article that, good work fella

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  50. Song shits on Anderson2:38 am, August 31, 2009

    Now this post just shows why there is respect between the mugsmashers and us gooners ;) but in all honesty thank you Jaimie, very well written

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  51. great article.
    Wenger is a class, a professor, wise man with a strategy. Man United's fans who shout wenger showed their "quality".

    Arsenal are very lucky to have him. Yes we all know Arsenal didn't have a good time last season but revolution takes time. And yes wenger knows where he's gonna take arsenal to.

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  52. That is why I allways respect th Liverpool fans.Fair and honest fans.

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  53. Great article
    Wenger was true class the way he went to the stand in front of all the Utd support.
    Mike Dean should not be in charge of games like these,(or should he). It seems that Utd, certain refs and all the authorities are hell bent on Utd overhauling Liverpools trophy haul.
    The one difference is, is Liverpool  did it with class and good football ,Utd have extra assisstance and have no class.

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  54. All Respect. Heart warming to read the article and comments after what transpired at OT. Thank you very much.

    - Arsenal Fan.

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  55. Great unbiased article Jaimie! The footballing world needs more supporters like yourself.

    COME ON YOU GUNNERS!!

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  56. great article !

    if only more arsenal fans thought like this!!! perhaps the emirates would have a more buzzing atmosphere.

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  57. Sheer class against nasty mob - fantastic!!!
    Mike Dean seems totally corrupt. Fergusson and his staff are notorious for talking to referees esp. at intervals. Money talks?
    On this occasion all of Man.Utd: the manager, players and fans were absolute disgrace. Shame on them and I hope this overrated and corrupt team goes into decline now.

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  58. I salute you Jaimie Kanwar

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  59. Excellent article and totally true. This is why Liverpool fans are respected the world over. Good luck to the good guys in the Premier League this year.

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  60. Dean is a waste of space Utd 21 fouls 3 booked Arsenal 15 fouls 6 booked and a clear cut pen he didn't see. Rooney was on his way down before Almunia touched him.

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  61. Baying crowd??  It looks like the man u fans were laughing and clapping along with arsene wenger to me.But hey,dont let the truth get in the way of another anto-man utd rant eh?

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  62. this is much appreciated, and will be well received by arsenal fans. the refereeing was nothing short of farcical at the weekend.

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  63. you're fans are disgusting. they sing 'sit down you paedophile' which is a vile chant. 'sir' alex was accused of rape in south africa some years ago, and we don't call him a rapist do we, because he isn't.

    time and time again your fans' vile chants are brushed over, and liverpool fans will agree with me especially.

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  64. to true... arsenal is my second team...everybody hatse the filthy cheating mancs

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  65. the man u fans will make up pathetic excuses for that horrific display of their whole club... too true matthew . YNWA...

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  66. You obviously chose to gloss over the several who were singing that vile paedophile chant then mate and also the fat blonde woman to the right of Wenger as you look at it, shouting 'off, off, off, off'  But hey, dont let the truth get in the way eh?

    Still at least we beat your fans back down to London on the way home. :-)

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  67. YOU MY SON ARE A LEGEND!

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