ARSENE WENGER might be suffering the biggest crisis of his 15-year career at Arsenal – but he has an unlikely ally in Sir Alex Ferguson.
The Manchester United boss has had plenty of run-ins with the Frenchman as their two sides battled for Premier League supremacy.
But Fergie yesterday defended the under- fire Gunners boss as they prepare for another battle at Old Trafford tomorrow.
“The support of today has not got the patience of 30 years ago,” said Fergie, whose champions can open an eight-point gap over Wenger’s men with a win.
“The work he has done in the 15 years he has been at the club is the best in Arsenal’s history.
“Yes, he has not won a trophy for six years, but what does that mean? The quality of his side has not been reduced.
“They answered everybody back on Wednesday (against Udinese in the Champions League play-offs).
“A lot of people thought they would go out. I didn’t, I thought they would win it. The game on Sunday will be another stepping stone for them.
“They have an array of talent up front who can beat anyone and score against anyone. It is easy to have my team prepared because they know themselves they are playing a team with some quality.
“We have to be at our best, no question.”
Arsenal can no longer claim to be among United’s main challengers in the league, having been overtaken by Chelsea and Manchester City.
Fergie added: “When Arsenal and our- selves were going head-to-head, that went on for about eight years. The competition is far greater now.
“The minute I won the league last season, I am concerned how we are going to win it this season. You can’t stand still and I have never tried to stand still here.
“The years we lost the title between 2004 and 2007, I had to think how we could get that back.
“There is a lot of thinking about being a step ahead and looking forward, rather than looking back and bemoaning how we lost the leagues. It is about how we can win them rather than how we lost them.”
Fergie also had sympathy with Wenger over the departures of key men Cesc Fabregas (right) and Samir Nasri, having encountered a similar scenario with Gerard Pique and Cristiano Ronaldo.
“When you face that inevitable situation, where a player is not going to sign a contract, you can threaten to do what Arsene did with Nasri and keep him for another year – and not get anything for him – or capitalise and get the money like he did,” said the United chief.
“I think that is sensible, to take the money. We had the same situation with Cristiano.
“He had two years left when we let him go, but we had him for six years. The issue is how long do you think you are going to have European players?
“We like to think they will stay forever. You can only do your best in preparing for the inevitable the inevitable and make sure you are stocked up with enough players to compensate for it. We did plan. We looked ahead and bought Nani.
“There is nothing you can do if they won’t sign contracts. The power has gone to the players, there is no doubt about that.
“Fabregas wanted to go back to Barcelona. We had the same situation with Pique. His parents wanted him to go back to Barcelona.
“He was a fantastic player but we understood the wishes of his parents and the boy himself. You cannot become bitter about these things because it is the modern world.
“The important thing is to try and do your best for your club and make sure you prepare for these moments.”
But Fergie yesterday defended the under- fire Gunners boss as they prepare for another battle at Old Trafford tomorrow.
“The support of today has not got the patience of 30 years ago,” said Fergie, whose champions can open an eight-point gap over Wenger’s men with a win.
“The work he has done in the 15 years he has been at the club is the best in Arsenal’s history.
“Yes, he has not won a trophy for six years, but what does that mean? The quality of his side has not been reduced.
“They answered everybody back on Wednesday (against Udinese in the Champions League play-offs).
“A lot of people thought they would go out. I didn’t, I thought they would win it. The game on Sunday will be another stepping stone for them.
“They have an array of talent up front who can beat anyone and score against anyone. It is easy to have my team prepared because they know themselves they are playing a team with some quality.
“We have to be at our best, no question.”
Arsenal can no longer claim to be among United’s main challengers in the league, having been overtaken by Chelsea and Manchester City.
Fergie added: “When Arsenal and our- selves were going head-to-head, that went on for about eight years. The competition is far greater now.
“The minute I won the league last season, I am concerned how we are going to win it this season. You can’t stand still and I have never tried to stand still here.
“The years we lost the title between 2004 and 2007, I had to think how we could get that back.
“There is a lot of thinking about being a step ahead and looking forward, rather than looking back and bemoaning how we lost the leagues. It is about how we can win them rather than how we lost them.”
Fergie also had sympathy with Wenger over the departures of key men Cesc Fabregas (right) and Samir Nasri, having encountered a similar scenario with Gerard Pique and Cristiano Ronaldo.
“When you face that inevitable situation, where a player is not going to sign a contract, you can threaten to do what Arsene did with Nasri and keep him for another year – and not get anything for him – or capitalise and get the money like he did,” said the United chief.
“I think that is sensible, to take the money. We had the same situation with Cristiano.
“He had two years left when we let him go, but we had him for six years. The issue is how long do you think you are going to have European players?
“We like to think they will stay forever. You can only do your best in preparing for the inevitable the inevitable and make sure you are stocked up with enough players to compensate for it. We did plan. We looked ahead and bought Nani.
“There is nothing you can do if they won’t sign contracts. The power has gone to the players, there is no doubt about that.
“Fabregas wanted to go back to Barcelona. We had the same situation with Pique. His parents wanted him to go back to Barcelona.
“He was a fantastic player but we understood the wishes of his parents and the boy himself. You cannot become bitter about these things because it is the modern world.
“The important thing is to try and do your best for your club and make sure you prepare for these moments.”
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