Arsene Wenger has launched a fierce defence of Arsenal FC midfielder Coquelin who was heavily criticized by Gary Neville ahead of Liverpool FC game. The manager also went onto say that he stands by his decision not to buy a defensive midfielder.
Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville had labelled Arsene Wenger arrogant for his transfer policy during Sky Sportsa Monday Night Football show before the Liverpool FC tie.
Neville questioned why the Gunners boss changed from Patrick Vieira, Emmanuel Petit, and Gilberto to Mikel Arteta and Mathieu Flamini.
Neville went onto add that he cannot understand why Wenger did not sign powerful players like the ones he had before 2005. Neville said that it is due to such players that Arsenal FC cannot win the league, going on to add that Wenger is a either naive or arroganta for not buying those type of players anymore.
Wenger chose not to respond to those criticism.
Wenger defends Coquelin
Nevile also criticized defensive midfielder Francis Coquelin before the tie against Liverpool. The Frenchman went onto have a great game at the Emirates on the night, saving Arsenal FC on numerous occasions.
However, when it comes to his player, Wenger clearly wants to protect them and speaking ahead of the Newcastle game on Saturday, Wenger was quoted saying by ESPN FC: “Defensively, Coquelin is doing a great job. He has the best defensive statistics and numbers in Europe.”
Wenger says he won’t buy new defensive players
Rejecting suggestions of pundits that the club need to invest in defensive players, Wenger said: “I think we have had that debate for a long time now that Arsenal does not buy defensive players.”
“Since January we have conceded fewer goals than anybody else. The only thing I want is that when people have opinions, it is documented and worked out before, especially when it is football specialists.”
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“I accept you can be right and I can be wrong, but what you do not want is just an opinion that comes out just because you feel like that.”
“People can say they don’t think Arsenal is good enough, I accept that, but it is dangerous to say that ‘he will never be a player’ especially when the comment has come from people in football. The concern is that it puts pressure on players.”