WENGER: IT WAS OUR FAULT

Last updated : 26 September 2003 By Editor

Arsene Wenger has issued an 'apology' for the way his players behaved on Sunday but of course, they aren't the only ones guilty.

'I thought we over-reacted after the game and we apologise for that. I think we have to keep control of our behaviour in every situation.

'On the other hand, I think you could say that the media response was an over-reaction as well. It was not in proportion to what happened at all. That is maybe not surprising but also not right.

'We have to be conscious that we didn't behave in a perfect way like we should have, but also not to be too much victimised by what people say.

'If one of my players had tackled someone round the throat or hit somebody in the face during the game, I would feel much more shocked than I am.

'I have been in English football for seven years now and I have witnessed situations that were 10 times worse that were not punished.

'That doesn't mean we were right but it does mean that some people get away here with some things they shouldn't get away with.'

The FA are to fast for Wenger as well.

'The FA response was quite quick as they react to the media reaction, that's all,' he insisted.

'If you could imagine that the game had happened somewhere without Sky TV being there, nothing would have happened.

'The FA would not even have known about it. I was at the game and I didn't even know about what had happened when I went to the dressing-room. (Ed. yeah, but you knew enough to consider RVN a cheat)

'We just have to acknowledge that we were not right but defend our players and get things into the right proportion.

'I have spoken to the players and they acknowledge that they have to keep control and behave in a different way.

'But between what we've seen on football pitches and in corridors and what happened there, I think the response we got was an over-reaction. The media could be charged with over-reaction as well.'

So Mr. Wenger were you ashamed?

'I was surprised at what happened.

'Of course, you try to understand why and how it all went, but none of my players killed anybody.

'It will be a problem if they all get suspended, of course, but we will face that if it happens.

'The players are hurt. There was a big shock for us after the game but we have shown our strength before and we want to win the game tomorrow.'