LONDON: Angry Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger claimed yesterday that his skipper Cesc Fabregas has become the target of a witch hunt.
The 23-year-old midfielder was at the centre of controversy in midweek when he was involved in an angry confrontation with match officials after Everton striker Louis Saha scored despite being in an offside position.
After the match at the Emirates, in which Arsenal hit back to win 2-1, Everton manager David Moyes claimed Fabregas made unrepeatable comments to the officials.
Asked if he thought there was a witch hunt against the Spanish international, Wenger replied: “Yes.
“We are long enough in the job to know that somebody picks on you for a while, and you are in the heat of the moment.
“But for me what is the most important is the player behaves well.
“When Cesc is on the pitch, he tries to play football – I cannot say everybody who plays against him tries to do that.
“For example, some people reproach him for not exchanging shirts with a player after the game – but I hope he will not exchange shirts with players who try to kick him for 90 minutes and them come to say ‘please can I get your shirt?’
“I think that is a normal and natural reaction. Overall this guy is an example on the football pitch and shows you how to play football.”
He added: “People are more demanding, and Cesc has to live with that.
“It is not easy, but he is a very intelligent man and he will learn very quickly to cope with that.
Second-placed Arsenal can close the gap on leaders Manchester United by winning at Newcastle today.
Victory for Arsenal at St James’ Park will cut United’s advantage to two points, although Sir Alex Ferguson’s side will have the opportunity to restore that to five again by winning the day’s late kick-off game, at bottom club Wolverhampton.
Robin van Persie was hoping United’s unbeaten run, which has seen then win 15 and draw nine of their 24 league games this season, would soon end.
“I’m confident Manchester United will drop points – 100 per cent,” he declared. “They have got big games coming up, the (Manchester) derby, Chelsea and other big games.”
“But the main thing is to look at our own schedule, we have a tough opponent on Saturday in Newcastle away.”
Whatever happens, Arsenal will have at least arrived in the north-east in impressive form, having won their last six matches in all competitions, with a 2-1 home victory over Everton on Tuesday their most recent success.
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