Under-fire Wenger faces Newcastle threat
13 Dec 2014 1:02 AM GMT
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger will again look to confound his critics when his side welcome in-form Newcastle United to the Emirates Stadium in the Premier League this weekend. The Frenchman was jeered by a small group of Arsenal fans as he boarded a train following his team's 3-2 loss at Stoke City last Saturday, in scenes widely condemned within the football community.
That loss meant Wenger's side were unable to take advantage of league leaders Chelsea's first defeat of the season and left the north London club in sixth spot, 13 points adrift of the head of the table. A title challenge now seems unlikely and while Arsenal reacted positively by winning 4-1 at Galatasaray in the Champions League in mid-week, Wenger remains under scrutiny.
In particular, he has been criticised for his failure to strengthen his defence during the last transfer window, although the manager can point to an alarming run of injuries to key players this season. A victory over Alan Pardew’s upwardly mobile Newcastle will be the best way to silence the doubters.
“He has been under some unfair criticism, but we are all out there; we are in it together. We wanted to get the result for us and for him. Every time we go out there, we are representing ourselves, our club and our manager,” said Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey.
That loss meant Wenger's side were unable to take advantage of league leaders Chelsea's first defeat of the season and left the north London club in sixth spot, 13 points adrift of the head of the table. A title challenge now seems unlikely and while Arsenal reacted positively by winning 4-1 at Galatasaray in the Champions League in mid-week, Wenger remains under scrutiny.
In particular, he has been criticised for his failure to strengthen his defence during the last transfer window, although the manager can point to an alarming run of injuries to key players this season. A victory over Alan Pardew’s upwardly mobile Newcastle will be the best way to silence the doubters.
“He has been under some unfair criticism, but we are all out there; we are in it together. We wanted to get the result for us and for him. Every time we go out there, we are representing ourselves, our club and our manager,” said Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey.
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