Harry Redknapp believes that the pressures of English football have turned Arsene Wenger into a "nutter".
Spurs boss aims jibe at capital rival
Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp believes that the pressures of English football have turned Arsene Wenger from a quiet, reserved manager into a "nutter" on the touchline.
Wenger was found guilty of improper conduct and fined £8,000 by the Football Association for confronting fourth official Martin Atkinson after Arsenal's 1-1 draw against Sunderland last weekend.
The Gunners boss was fuming at officials after they permitted play to exceed the allotted four minutes of added time, allowing Darren Bent to grab Sunderland's last-gasp equaliser and deny Arsenal all three points.
The sight of a frustrated Wenger prodding officials on the touchline is in complete contrast to the cool, calm and reserved image which the Frenchman cast when he arrived in England from Japan to replace Bruce Rioch 14 years ago.
Wenger has had has run-ins with the FA before. Last season he was sent to the stands during Arsenal's match at Old Trafford and he was involved in a touchline spat with then West Ham manager Alan Pardew in 2006.
Redknapp, who maintains he has a good relationship with the Frenchman, believes that the intensity of the English game has caused the Wenger to change.
"When Arsene first came to England I remember reading articles and they said that he was like a professor watching the game," said Redknapp.
"All the other nutters were jumping up and down shouting and screaming, hollering and hooting - and this man is not like those idiots. He just sits there and is studying every move that goes on on the pitch like chess. They didn't lose a game all season.
Nutters
"Now he has joined the nutters, you know! In fact, he is one of the key nutters! That is the tension that you are under. It has affected him now."
Redknapp continued: "He is no longer sitting there now. He is up there arguing with everybody and gets into it all.
"I think he has changed. He was the quietest man of the lot at one point.
"I don't have any problems with him at all, he's always been good. Sometimes I go into his office at Arsenal."
