Wenger: I want fair tackling in the game

Results

Date	Time	C	Opponent	F	A	R	S
20 Sep	3:00 PM	P	Bolton Wanderers (A)	3	1	Win

Manager Arsène Wenger has denied that he wants to see tackling removed from the beautiful game but instead is an advocate of it as long as the tackle is fair and there is no intent to injure the player.

Defender Gaël Clichy was the victim of a particular career-threatening injury by Bolton's Kevin Davies over the weekend that drew outrage from the Arsenal manager.

Wenger felt the incident deserved a red card, but insisted he is all in favour of a physical approach - provided it is within the rules.

Wenger said: "I agree football is a physical sport and a player who is not committed has nothing to do with this kind of level - one of the strengths of the English game is that kind of commitment and the way the referee keeps the flow going.

"What makes you more nervous is to cut the game off every two seconds because of a slight contact.

"Even in Manchester United versus Chelsea on Sunday, I felt the referee was a bit too protective sometimes.

"But that flow is fantastic for the game and some isolated incidents are down to detecting the intention of the player.

"I am always lenient if it is just to play the ball."

User Comments

kuria Muturi

Posted on 24 Sep, 2008 at 07:02 AM - Reply

Tackling is Very important in the game,what Wenger say is that tackling should be fair, Not breaking other people legs,

Sege Bee

Posted on 23 Sep, 2008 at 08:34 PM - Reply

I totally agree with AW...look at Danny Gutherie of newcastle...I t was so shameful thne the FA says they cany do anything bout it.The guy he kicked left with a broken leg..Its unfair.Now Gutherie gets a 3 match ban and his victim is probably out fr 3 months.I propose that the penalty is for the person to stay out of football the same time his victim is out injured and even may be more time.
Only then would justice be sad... I imagine what would have happened to the guy who took Eduardo out(even though I feel twas just a bad tackle and he probably didnt think it'd be that bad)...only thne would justice be served

Jean Themmy

Posted on 23 Sep, 2008 at 04:25 PM - Reply

I think AW is fair to say so and suggest that bad tacklers should be punished. I wish they can be punished and be punished not to play five matches. If it doesn't happen then, we wills see many victims! If Arsenal looses a player in each game due to these funny tackles, there will be no player left to play by December! Is A. Wenger stupid? I say no he is a manager and a parent full of mercy and he enjoys football games. He knows what it takes if a player is injured. AW. cares and doesn't tell his player to go in the field to injury their opponents but to play football. We need all managers in PL to have the same attitude and take care of their players and their opponents as well. We need good football games not war to kill or injury someone. I support you Mr. Wenger may FA do something about it. Thanks

Jerker

Posted on 23 Sep, 2008 at 11:56 AM - Reply

yes, it was on arsenals side and clichy facing the goal. but making a tackle when ure studs are right upp and both ure legs stretched against the opposition player its not a normal ballwinning tackle. its dangerous play and its doesnt matter if u make ball contact first. the way davies made that tackle is disgusting to see.. YOU DONT TACKLE LIKE THAT!!!

NEIL STANBRA

Posted on 23 Sep, 2008 at 11:25 AM - Reply

Tackling is very much part and parcel of the game.

The objective, obviously is to gain possession of the ball for your team, or to prevent an opponent from making progress for their team.

The tackle in question is a strange one, Davies did play the ball before he made contact with the player, which normally would mean it was fair tackle.

I do happen to think, however that Davies sought to injure his opponent deliberatey, albeit having made contact with the ball first.
In this instance I believe that the playing of the ball was Davies' alibi.

Does anyone remember where the incident occurred.....
in Arsenals'half of the field with Clichy facing his own goal.

User Comments

• Got something to say?
• Read comments

Vs chelsea