Arsenal boss Wenger: My team is not soft

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger insists his young team is not soft.

Wenger bridles at suggestions from pundits — including George Graham, the former Arsenal manager — that his side are too soft, but is determined not to rise to the bait. He prefers to deal with facts rather than stereotypes and is more concerned by weak referees than dirty opponents, with the exception of those who make their foul intentions apparent beforehand.

“It annoys me, but I can understand it,” Wenger said. “If you play football, do you like to be kicked? Nobody likes to be kicked. If somebody comes out before the game and says we have to kick them, for me they should not play the game.

“We’ve had three players this year who’ve had surgery as a result of tackles, Robin van Persie, Kieran Gibbs and now Ramsey. We’re the only club in Europe who’ve had three players requiring surgery.

“Before the accident with Gibbs [during the Champions League group game at the Emirates Stadium in November] I stood up to the referee five times in the last 15 minutes and said, ‘Calm this man [Eliaquim] Mangala down because he will kill one of our players.’ It was so obvious. Standard Liège had lost the game and he was just looking to kick people. What happened? He broke the metatarsal of Kieran Gibbs. It could have been avoided.”

Join the conversation on

Tribalfootball Store

Arsenal 2012 CL SS Training Football Shirt Made By Nike In line with this seasons Kit range. Colour - Navy/Artillery Red

£29.99 Buy

Arsenal 11/12 SS Away Football Shirt Made By Nike To Commemorate the 125th Anniversary PERFECT FIT Imposing, dynamic fit, engineered for supreme comfort , maximum durability and fearsome presence.

£34.99 Buy

Arsenal 10/11 SS Away Football Shirt Made By Nike Sponsor - Fly Emirates Key Players - Cesc Fabregas, Theo Walcott, Arshavin Colour Midwest Gold/Red Currant

£15.99 Buy

Nike5 Bomba Finale Astro Turf Trainers Made By Nike Own the cage.

£39.99 Buy

Tiempo Legend IV SG Football Boots. Made By Nike. The Tiempo Legend IV Football Boot offers a Kangeroo Leather Upper for Superior Comfort, Which enhances comfort and ball feel.

£79.99 Buy

Mercurial Victory II Astro Turf Football Trainers the Mercurial Victory, a lightweight and reliable choice for players who demand fast manoeuvring and quicker thinking.

£34.99 Buy

Arsenal 12/13 SS Home Football Shirt Made By Nike Sponsor - Fly Emirates Key Players - Robin Van Persie, Theo Walcott, Colour Red/White/Blue

£49.99 Buy

This official Arsenal FC garden gnome is a cheerful little ornament for brightening up your garden. Made out of weather resistant resin to stand proudly outside in your garden.

£14.99 Buy

Comments (24)

I think that gunners are 3rd on EPL.Los Angeles team building

Agger you are sick!

Agger you are sick!