Wenger admits lying to 'protect' players

ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE:ARSENE WENGER has responded to the furore sparked by Wayne Rooney's contradiction of Alex Ferguson's claims that he has been injured by admitting he has occasionally spun yarns to the public to conceal the truth about a player. The Arsenal manager said that when he had done so, he had at least ensured the player was in on the deception.

“If you ask me have I lied to the press to protect a player, I must honestly say yes,” said Wenger. “I didn’t feel comfortable but I had a clear conscience because it was for a good cause. But when I lie to the press I speak beforehand with the player and say: ‘Listen, this is the story we’re going to give’.”

Rooney said this week he did not know why Ferguson, his manager at Manchester United, had announced that he was unavailable with an ankle injury. “I’ve had no problems with my ankle,” the striker said. Wenger declined to identify the untruths he had told: “If you ask me why I’ve lied I would have to give concrete examples and you find out which player.” he said.

Wenger also moved to quash murmurs of dissent in the Arsenal squad by suggesting Cesc Fabregas’s complaints this week that Arsenal “lack a winning mentality” have been “misinterpreted”. He said: “What is meant by not having a winning mentality is that as long as you’ve not won you’re not certain you can do it, but that doesn’t mean you lack desire. This team has a great desire to win, but you have to show it week in week out . . .”

Ex-Arsenal midfielder Robert Pires has been training with the club this month but Wenger said that, unlike with Sol Campbell last season, the player will not be offered a contract.

“I have Nasri, Rosicky, Fabregas, Arshavin and Wilshere, all of whom play in the same kind of role Robert plays so if I signed him, he wouldn’t play, I’d just be adding to the wages,” said Wenger ahead of today’s game at home to Birmingham City. “I am helping him to get fit and find a club. If I’m a Premier League manager looking for a creative player in good shape, I’d take Pires tomorrow morning.”