West Brom boss gives his thoughts on Wenger criticism

Thursday, December 6, 2012
4:01 PM

West Brom head coach Steve Clarke has come to the defence of Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger.

The Baggies visit the Gunners on Saturday with Wenger coming under fire from his own fans after winning just three of their last 13 games.

Clarke believes the Arsenal boss is the victim of the lack of patience now evident in the game.

He said: “It’s the new age in football. Wenger has done a great job for Arsenal. They’ve just qualified for the Champions League again.

“They’ve got a squad there that will surely qualify for Champions League qualification again this year in the Premier League.

“Just the way the game is at the moment, there seems to be a little bit of short term-ism.

“I know Arsene has been there a long time but people are starting to look at him and criticise him.

“The Arsenal fans can do what they want because it’s not for me to comment on what they want to do and it’s not for me to comment on how Arsenal run their business.”

Clarke has virtually a full squad to choose from as Albion look to bounce back from successive defeats against Swansea and Stoke.

Goalkeeper Ben Foster is the only absentee as he continues his recovery from a second groin operation.