soccerbest
25-09-2003, 11:33:PM
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has apologised for his players' loss of self-control after the stormy 0-0 draw with Manchester United on Sunday.
But Wenger insisted the condemnation of the club in certain sections of the media in the aftermath of the game had been an "over-reaction".
The Football Association has charged Arsenal as a club for failing to control their players, while six members of the first-team squad are also individually charged with misconduct.
"I thought we over-reacted after the game and we apologise for that. I think we have to keep control of our behaviour in every situation," said Wenger.
"On the other hand, I think you could say that the media response was an over-reaction as well. It was not in proportion to what happened at all. That is maybe not surprising but also not right.
"We have to be conscious that we didn't behave in a perfect way like we should have, but also not to be too much victimised by what people say.
We have to acknowledge that we were not right but defend our players and get things into the right proportion
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger
"If one of my players had tackled someone round the throat or hit somebody in the face during the game, I would feel much more shocked than I am.
"I have been in English football for seven years now and I have witnessed situations that were 10 times worse that were not punished.
"That doesn't mean we were right but it does mean that some people get away here with some things they shouldn't get away with."
Martin Keown, Lauren, Ray Parlour, Ashley Cole, Jens Lehmann and Patrick Vieira could face suspensions totalling up to 20 games if they are found guilty by the FA.
And, while two Manchester United players have also been charged, Wenger seemed aggrieved at the scale - and speed - of the FA response against his own club.
"The FA response was quite quick as they react to the media reaction, that's all," he said.
"If you could imagine that the game had happened somewhere without Sky TV being there, nothing would have happened.
"The FA would not even have known about it. I was at the game and I didn't even know about what had happened when I went to the dressing-room.
"We just have to acknowledge that we were not right but defend our players and get things into the right proportion.
"I have spoken to the players and they acknowledge that they have to keep control and behave in a different way.
"But between what we've seen on football pitches and in corridors and what happened there, I think the response we got was an over-reaction. The media could be charged with over-reaction as well."
Asked if he was ashamed of any of his players' reactions, Wenger, whose side face Newcastle at Highbury on Friday night, said in a radio interview: "I was surprised at what happened.
"Of course, you try to understand why and how it all went, but none of my players killed anybody.
"It will be a problem if they all get suspended, of course, but we will face that if it happens."
But Wenger insisted the condemnation of the club in certain sections of the media in the aftermath of the game had been an "over-reaction".
The Football Association has charged Arsenal as a club for failing to control their players, while six members of the first-team squad are also individually charged with misconduct.
"I thought we over-reacted after the game and we apologise for that. I think we have to keep control of our behaviour in every situation," said Wenger.
"On the other hand, I think you could say that the media response was an over-reaction as well. It was not in proportion to what happened at all. That is maybe not surprising but also not right.
"We have to be conscious that we didn't behave in a perfect way like we should have, but also not to be too much victimised by what people say.
We have to acknowledge that we were not right but defend our players and get things into the right proportion
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger
"If one of my players had tackled someone round the throat or hit somebody in the face during the game, I would feel much more shocked than I am.
"I have been in English football for seven years now and I have witnessed situations that were 10 times worse that were not punished.
"That doesn't mean we were right but it does mean that some people get away here with some things they shouldn't get away with."
Martin Keown, Lauren, Ray Parlour, Ashley Cole, Jens Lehmann and Patrick Vieira could face suspensions totalling up to 20 games if they are found guilty by the FA.
And, while two Manchester United players have also been charged, Wenger seemed aggrieved at the scale - and speed - of the FA response against his own club.
"The FA response was quite quick as they react to the media reaction, that's all," he said.
"If you could imagine that the game had happened somewhere without Sky TV being there, nothing would have happened.
"The FA would not even have known about it. I was at the game and I didn't even know about what had happened when I went to the dressing-room.
"We just have to acknowledge that we were not right but defend our players and get things into the right proportion.
"I have spoken to the players and they acknowledge that they have to keep control and behave in a different way.
"But between what we've seen on football pitches and in corridors and what happened there, I think the response we got was an over-reaction. The media could be charged with over-reaction as well."
Asked if he was ashamed of any of his players' reactions, Wenger, whose side face Newcastle at Highbury on Friday night, said in a radio interview: "I was surprised at what happened.
"Of course, you try to understand why and how it all went, but none of my players killed anybody.
"It will be a problem if they all get suspended, of course, but we will face that if it happens."