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Wednesday's Champions League match reports
(Reuters)
Updated: 2005-11-03 08:43
Wenger fights his corner as Arsenal qualify in style
LONDON, Nov 2 (Reuters) - Arsene Wenger momentarily concentrated on Arsenal's
commanding 3-0 Champions League win over Sparta Prague on Wednesday, before
returning to his ongoing verbal feud with Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho.
Wenger praised his team's attacking performance against the Czechs saying
they "always looked dangerous" despite needing two late goals from substitute
Robin van Persie to make the scoreline fully reflect Arsenal's overall
superiority.
But he claimed he had been misquoted over remarks about the Mourinho who on
Saturday accused him of acting like a voyeur obsessed by Chelsea and coveting
his job at Stamford Bridge. Wenger responded to those remarks and more on
Tuesday when he said he was considering taking action against Mourinho, but he
also claimed that sections of the media had misquoted his comments about the
Portuguese boss of the English champions.
"I just think if you give success to stupid people it makes them more stupid
sometimes, not more intelligent," Wenger had told reporters on Tuesday.
Fiercely defending his corner, the Frenchman was asked after the match at
Highbury on Wednesday whether he had been contacted by the English Football
Association over the feud.
"I don't know what the FA plan to do," said Wenger. "I don't know what I have
done wrong. I have not offended anyone.
MISQUOTED
"But if I am misquoted that I called him (Mourinho) stupid, then that is not
right. I am making the point here, I did not say that, I know exactly what I
said and what I meant by what I said and I never said that.
"I can take action against you, do not quote me saying things I did not say.
If I am attacked, I will respond."
Regarding the night's events, Wenger said he was delighted with the
performance of his returning skipper Thierry Henry who scored a delightful goal
to put Arsenal ahead after 22 minutes.
"He was very focused, he scored a superb goal and we got a good hour out of
him. I always intended taking him off after an hour, and although he looked
upset to come off that is because he has such a hunger for the game and wants to
play."
Wenger also praised Van Persie who replaced Henry after 66 minutes and scored
their second and third goals in the closing minutes of the game.
"He takes big steps forward and will get his chance. He also has a very good
scoring record for the minutes he has played on the pitch."
In contrast Sparta coach Stanislav Griga looked understandably disappointed.
"We were outplayed in the first half but came back in the second, although we
struggled to get the ball off Arsenal and you cannot play the game without the
ball."
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