ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE:IF A crowd on a good day can feel like the stereotypical 12th man, on a gloomy day it can make players feel like they are out there on their own. Arsène Wenger, who has been dismayed by the negative atmosphere at the Emirates this season, describes the fans as more unforgiving than ever before.
“This year has been tougher than any other year,” he says. “It is especially tough because the players are young. I came out many times to get our fans behind our team. This team, with an average age of 20, 21 in midfield, has beaten Chelsea, Manchester United, and Fenerbahce 5-2 away from home. Despite that there is always question marks.
“People are very impatient. But when you go for a youth policy you have to keep facing them and stay behind your players. We have to win them over. But in our job we cannot complain. We have to create the positive vibes and get the fans on our side.”
Wenger knows exactly what to expect if Arsenal revert to their Premier League mood of banging their heads against a brick wall against fellow draw specialists Fulham. The barracking will start quickly, with Emmanuel Eboue and Nicklas Bendtner the softest targets. “If you listen to these people you don’t play those players,” Wenger muses.
“Eboue and Bendtner had a good game the other night. It’s my job to pick players I think are strong. And if they get through this period people will say, ‘Yes, they are good players’.”
The manager has had to comfort both players this season and tell them to ignore the catcalls and focus on improving their game.
A case in point is the opportunities Eboue and Bentdner squandered in the Champions League in midweek. “The most important thing when you miss a chance is to analyse why,” he explains.
“Let people talk. But go home and try to see why you missed the chance. Basically, in Bendtner’s case, it’s just that his first touch was not good enough on the night. He was not on his toes when he got the ball. But he had four chances. He has the timing and the nose to get there. I have seen plenty of players who don’t score at 20 and score at 23. This situation will help the team to become stronger mentally.”
Wenger is quick to defend Bentdner: “He is 21 years old, playing at the top level and creating chances. The problem at that level is if you don’t create chances,” said the Arsenal boss.
“He wants to work and he is becoming very professional. Before he was a little bit easy going. He realises now what it takes to me a top-class player. He works very well and for me he has a bright future.”
He acknowledges Arsenal have been “disturbed” this season because they did not expect to be so far behind Manchester United. But Wenger shows no signs of panic about the six-point gap to fourth place. “There are 36 points available. Win all the games and you are in there.”
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