Wenger defends Oxlade Chamberlain withdrawal

January 23, 2012 | Filed under: Arsenal,FA Barclays Premiership | Posted by:

wenger1 150x150 Wenger defends Oxlade Chamberlain withdrawalArsenal boss Arsene Wenger has defended his decision to bring Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain off in their 2-1 defeat by Manchester United.

Despite a lively performance from the England under 21 international which included the assist for Van Persie’s 71st minute equaliser, the Frenchman took the decision to withdraw him in favour of the rather less popular Andrey Ashavin.

The decision was met with a torrent of discontent from what appeared to be a large section of the Emirates crowd with even Van Persie showing visible discord in front of the Sky audience.

Cameras captured Van Persie apparently mouthing the word ‘No’ and swearing at his manager’s 74th-minute substitution.

Even Arshavin was roundly booed as he ran onto the pitch and the Russian did little to endear himself to the Arsenal faithful by failing to halt Valencia’s marauding run into the box, with Welbeck slamming home the loose ball nine minutes from time.

Wenger refused to be drawn on Van Persie’s reaction, and although he was quick to admit the decision ultimately backfired, went on to defend his decision.

‘I can understand that the fans are upset about the substitution, especially when it doesn’t work, but he (Oxlade-Chamberlain) had started to fatigue,’ Wenger said.

‘He was sick in the week. Arshavin is captain of the Russia national team.

‘You have an 18-year-old kid making his first Premier League start and a player who’s captain of his country and they are querying the substitution? Let’s be serious.

‘I’ve been a manager for 30 years and have made 50,000 subs. I do not have to justify every decision I make. I stand up for it.’

Even Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville put in his two penny worth as he launched a scathing attack on Arshavin, saying: ‘He doesn’t like our weather. He doesn’t like our women. I think he wants to go back to Russia. Well, go back.’

The defeat was Arsenal’s third straight league defeat and they now sit five points adrift of fourth-placed Chelsea. ‘It leaves us in a very difficult position. It’s a game we couldn’t afford to lose.’

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Posted by on January 23, 2012. Filed under Arsenal, FA Barclays Premiership. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

8 Responses to Wenger defends Oxlade Chamberlain withdrawal

  1. diablo January 23, 2012 - 2:18 pm

    maybe he thought he was tired who knows…Arsenal souldn’t have lost this game anyway…the defence as always was quite poor as always

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  2. Maleek Prince January 23, 2012 - 2:45 pm

    Well,if you acquire the highest number of age in this world didn’t mean you’re the most experience Man on earth. No one is above mistake,Wenger should admit that he has failed many people.He is in-charge at the club,if they won we would have been hailing Him (Wenger)same vice versa principle of collectivity it’s. The bottom line is I’M HIGHLY DISAPPOINTED IN HIM NOT AT THE TEAM.

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  3. AKEEM January 23, 2012 - 3:03 pm

    That was a very bloody mistake 4rom arsene wenger, bringing out the playmaker on the pitch may be wenger is criticizing the young boy…. which is not suppose to be SO, as a MANAGER………….. SO PAINFUL…….. AS A GUNNERS GUY.. ONE LOVE…………….

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  4. Onyeabor Gabriel January 23, 2012 - 3:16 pm

    Wenger is the head coach, he takes decision whenever he feel like and nobody question, he sales players whenever he feels like and bring nobody ask question, yesterday he made sub, as people asked he is now defending himself , SHAME.

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  5. Kunle January 23, 2012 - 3:31 pm

    D subs. Was worryly timed.arshavin shouldnt have been brought in,defencively his nt active.he is better than ramsey in d middle.ramsey does nt have a playmaker vision,very poor midfielder.

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  6. Emmanuel January 23, 2012 - 3:52 pm

    If asharvin must play because he is the Russian captain,what about the s/Korean captain,Part?

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    • denhen January 25, 2012 - 2:05 am

      In Alan Smith’s column at Daily Telegraph, Alan Smith commented that Park Chu-Young is fortunate to win a contract in the first place. What an insult to fellow professional player from another. It was Wenger who hijacked Park from [i think] Lyon and not Park begged Arsenal to sign him.

      Alan said further that one lad he knows, who played with the South Korean at Monaco, could not quite believe that Wenger actually rated the striker, so average had he been in France. Dennis Bergkamp, Thierry and Patrick Vieira were failures in Italy. They showed their skills after given opportunities to play at Arsenal. It took several games before Bergkamp and Henry scored their first one. Was Park given opportunites by Wenger so far. Wenger said players need games to acclimatize to English league. How many games were given Park since he joins Arsenal.

      Alan Smith should write and comment with respect and fairness towards fellow professional players.

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  7. kay January 23, 2012 - 4:02 pm

    i blamed fabrigas whe he sai rvp should vacate arsenal while he has the chance, but the truth is as long as he is there, he may not attain what he could have in reliable clubs with reliable manager like man u or man city. Rvp, get out b4 its too late, you have what can take u to the top which may be an impossibility in arsenal. All I’ve been rewarded with in the last couple of years is disappointment

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