Vieira backs criticised Wenger

France international defends former boss after Platini comments

By James Dall   Last updated: 30th September 2008

Vieira backs criticised Wenger

Vieira: Wenger backing

Arsene Wenger has done so much for the game and for Arsenal.

Patrick Vieira
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Patrick Vieira has told skysports.com it is 'really difficult to understand' Uefa president Michel Platini's criticism of Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger.

Last week, Platini expressed frank views in an interview with Grenoble daily Dauphine Libere that Wenger has more a business mentality than a football one, and also questioned his calls for video technology in the game.

Wenger was left 'stunned' by the comments while the League Managers' Association backed the maligned Gunners chief, before Platini conceded he might have been 'too hard' on his French counterpart.

However, the head of European football's governing body voiced a final parting shot, revealing that he 'cannot stand' the buying of players at a young age - a policy often adopted by Wenger.

But Vieira, now at Inter Milan, has backed Wenger after he was brought to North London from AC Milan in 1996 when he was 20-years-old and went on to claim three Premier League titles and four FA Cup trophies with the Gunners.

Criticism

"I don't think (he is right to criticise Arsene Wenger like that) because what is really exciting is that every young player that comes to Arsenal has the opportunity to play first-team football," said Vieira at an event run by Ford's Feel Football debate website www.feelfootball.com.

"At the end of the day they are making their own choice. When you look at the way Arsenal play and the young players they have developed over the years, I think this is really exciting and really good.

"Wenger has done so much for the game and for Arsenal. The [Platini's comments] are really difficult to understand."

Ford's Feel Football programme engages fans debate with Champions like Jose Mourinho, Anders Frisk, Patrick Vieira and Ruud Gullit online at www.FeelFootball.com and at live events around Europe.

Comments (9)

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Ian Osang (Arsenal fan) says...

Platini was a world class player, but lacks the tact and diplomacy required to be a successful administrator. His views are not only disrespectful to a manager who has brought so much to the English game, not only in terms of what he has done for Arsenal, but also in terms of the nutritional education he has brought to football in this country, but they are also inconsistent. His previous rant was that billionairre owners who spend beyond a club's normal budget are damaging the game, and then Wenger is accused of being a businessman rather than a football man, presumably because he fails to spend beyond his means. As head of UEFA Platini is in a position to legislate to improve football, so it is about time he stopped bleating about everything that is wrong with the game, and instead started to do something to improve the areas that need it.

Posted 16:32 2nd October 2008

Adam Tambadou (Arsenal fan) says...

i agree with viera,its difficult to understand michel platini,s criticism,let him forget about arsene and thinks about his job and his life.wenger is the right man for arsenal and he knows what is good for him and his team.so platini mind your bussines and forget about our boss.

Posted 17:02 1st October 2008

Bhakta Gurung (Arsenal fan) says...

Platini speaks whatever he likes. But he should have an eye for the beautiful football played by Arsenal and taken the football to the 21st century. Where's his appretiation? What he does being President of the UEFA is just to criticise mostly the English league. He's just a jealous guy of English leage.

Posted 14:38 1st October 2008

Adam Heslam (Arsenal fan) says...

I am very happy that Pat Vieira jumped to the defence of Wenger. It really angers me when i hear bad things said about Wenger. He is a genius for what he has done for Arsenal. Spending hardly any money each season but still achieving some fantastic things. League titles, Cups and a glorious run to the final of the Champions League with a team of kids. For me it is not about the age, if you have the ability then should have the opportunity to play regardless of your age. Plus the football Wenger has brought to North London is pure class. I will hate the day that he leaves. WENGER RULES!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted 09:59 1st October 2008

Dave Richards (Arsenal fan) says...

All clubs are always on the lookout for young talent. Wenger has been a master of unearthing youngsters fo rmany years now, its the way the sport operates. Now if Platini had said he was jealous of the mans ability to find such talents I would have understood. Afterall at one point a third of their world cup winning side played at Arsenal. He may also feel that Arsene could do a much better job than he is. Perhaps its time to stand down and give the job to someone with the time to address more important issues in the game.

Posted 06:36 1st October 2008

Ian Berry (Arsenal fan) says...

When the big bang in the Premier League comes, and it will, we will see the heavily indebted clubs like ManU, Liverpool, Chelski, Man City etc etc all having fire sales of their overpaid and molly cuddled stars. The Gunners will be left in a strong financial position with the best manager in the world and a squad of players who they won't need to sell. Bring on the Arsenal dynasty.

Posted 00:29 1st October 2008

Svein edward Wilberg (Arsenal fan) says...

Is Platini out of his mind? How can he complain about Arsene's younth policy? He probably has the best young team in the world right now. Nearly everyboady gets a real chance at Arsenal, and for sure develops themselves while they stay. I can not bellieve how somebody could say that is bad for football, and specially not the UEFA president.

Posted 23:15 30th September 2008

Darren Groom (Manchester United fan) says...

even as a man utd fan you cant knock wenger for what he does for football.but he still has got a way to go to emulating fergie

Posted 20:17 30th September 2008

Nick Volkwyn (Chelsea fan) says...

Wenger has established the perfect breeding ground for young talent in football, nothing more nothing less. When the talent matures into world class.. then its time the player moves onto a bigger club. A club that wants to win titles and not sell their best players if they have a good season. Great for business, bad for arsenal football.

Posted 18:06 30th September 2008
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