Obviously it’s hardly incriminating evidence that would stand up in a court of law (should it get that far) but, judging by this particular post-match photo, it hardly looks like our Clive was well-wishing Arsene on his ’15 years in the job’ or complementing him on his lovely red tie at the final whistle now does it?

That’s one vicious-looking sneer.

                          

By Alex Netherton

It’s my duty to hate Arsene Wenger. Whatever he does at Arsenal, I have to hate him, because he’s doing it at Arsenal. That’s my lot. However, he has so much going for him that on occasion I’m doing my seething through gritted teeth. His Christ pose at Old Trafford last season was a man fully in touch with his self-worth. Even the United fans relented at the sight of his faux crucifixion. He takes excellent youngsters and makes them into, occasionally, excellent players. He’s without doubt one of the more erudite managers in England, and English isn’t his first language.

Despite this, he’s plenty capable of going off on a self-loving one every other week. He indulges the ratface Fabregas, to let him maintain a love affair with another club while simultaneously inviting a loss of form until he gets his move. I know that Wenger didn’t have much choice – £30 million isn’t enough for Fabregas, clearly – but this shameless flirting between Catalans makes Wenger look like an even more gutless cuckolded WAG.

His myopia extends beyond Van Persie’s elbowing, now more chronic than his injury problems. It covers even his medical department. Every year, at least two players are out for nigh-on six months due to indiscriminate knack. Every year, his answer? “We hope he’ll be back in two weeks.” I’m not even sure Rosicky knows how to kick a ball anymore.

But his worst trait is his self-aggrandising over young players, and The Right Way To Do Things. His method is no more right than any other, and it’s just as self-serving as spunking big coin on proven players. Wenger and a few of the less bright of the broadsheet hacks have created his mythology, and it’s holding Arsenal back from being even better than they already are. It causes friction in the team, and with the fans.

When asked about his record with youngsters, he had the balls, and the brown-nosing press in tow to report unquestionably, to say this:

“There is nobody else in the world. Take the list of the players who started here. Johan Djourou, where has he started? Here. [Philippe] Senderos, where has he started? [Gaël] Clichy, where has he started? [Kieran] Gibbs? Where has he started? [Cesc] Fábregas? Where has he started? [Alexandre] Song? Where has he started? [Abou] Diaby has basically never played before at the top level. Ashley Cole. If you go back, it is unbelievable the number of players who started at this club.”

I’ll give him Gibbs and Cole, two left backs ten years apart, even if Cole is despicable and Gibbs might not even make it. Now, for the rest of the players that he is ‘responsible’ for…

Gael Clichy developed in France and played for Cannes, who discovered him first. Yes, Wenger got him for £250,000, which is a remarkable deal, but France has to get the majority of the credit. As does Clairefontaine for Abou Diaby, who first played for Auxerre, not Arsenal. As do Barcelona, who basically loaned Arsenal Fabregas – everyone who played with him at Barcelona already knew was a remarkable player, he wasn’t Wenger’s unbelievable find – in return for Petit and Overmars, albeit at a cost. Senderos and Djourou both come from Switzerland, and Senderos wasn’t only being courted by Wenger. And they’re both crap.

He then goes on to claim Thuram and Petit as his successes. Almost fair enough. Thuram and Petit came through as players at Monaco under Wenger. That was twenty years ago. Twenty years since undeniably great players, and players that weren’t poached, came through under Wenger.

Wenger’s greatest trick in the world isn’t magically developing great talent, as he claims, but convincing people that it is. This is him building his legend in anticipation of never getting his hands of the Champions League. I can understand the egotism, but he doesn’t need to act like a genius, he just needs to be honest. What Wenger is good at, and this doesn’t sound nearly as edifying, is exploiting weaknesses in the leagues abroad concerning signing up young talent. They don’t have contracts as early as in England, so Wenger (and he’s not alone in this, just the most active and best) hoovers up the talent that is already almost entirely formed, and finishes it off. This is a remarkable skill, but he’s not an alchemist, he’s a football manager with an eye for a bargain, who deserves credit for balancing the books while studiously avoiding trophies.

What he needs now, more than ever, is criticism. Taking young kids, before they have a chance to achieve something with their home club, means that these players have unfinished business with these teams. The best example is Fabregas. Grateful to Wenger, but desperate to come home. Further, established players like Petit, Vieira, Henry and Overmars set a pattern five or six years ago, that at their peak, or just after, they leave to win real medals, before they become veterans. Chelsea have Lampard, Liverpool have Carragher and will have Gerrard, and Manchester United have Scholes, Neville and Giggs to teach the young players of responsibility and of the heart of their club. Who do Arsenal have in their thirties to pass on a club’s heart? Manuel Almunia, the embodiment of the bad side of Arsene Wenger. Arsenal are forever in a holding pattern, always a year away, and not as good as they could be.

Alex also writes for the Sabotage Times

                          

By Ollie Irish

Arsene Wenger has accepted a charge of improper conduct and an £8,000 fine by the FA following his tap on Martin Atkinson’s back at the end of the Premier League match with Sunderland on Saturday…

Wenger will serve a one-match touchline ban during the League Cup third-round clash at rivals Tottenham (he could have deferred the ban, I believe), which although it’s a derby tells you all you need to know about his continued dismissive attitude to the competition.

The Arsenal gaffer was furious after his side conceded a late equaliser in the fifth minute of stoppage time at the Stadium of Light, which denied them the Gunners the chance to go top of the table.

Wenger then ‘pushed’ fourth official Martin Atkinson on the back as Darren Bent’s goal came around 15 seconds after the allotted four minutes which had been displayed.

A statement on the FA website read: “Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has admitted a charge of using insulting and/or abusive language and behaviour amounting to improper conduct.

“Wenger has accepted the standard sanction of an £8,000 fine and a one-match touchline ban which will be served with immediate effect at Arsenal’s League Cup match against Tottenham Hotspur this evening (Tuesday).

“The charge related to Wenger’s conduct towards match officials at the conclusion of Arsenal’s match against Sunderland on 18 September.”

Pies says: More xenophobic-flavoured vicitmisation of Monsieur Wenger, or an appropriate ruling? I think it’s very heavy-handed. Everyone knows you can’t lay even a finger on a match official, but a) Atkinson turned his back and walked away when it was clear that Wenger and assistant Pat Rice wanted to talk, and b) Let’s be honest, it wasn’t even a push. However, if Wenger also insulted Atkinson, then he doesn’t have a leg to stand on.

                          

By Ollie Irish

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Francesc Fabregas (centre) gestures while running with team mates during a training session at London Colney, Hertfordshire

Photos: PA

This is what it is: some pics of Cesc, Wilshere and co. jogging around a field in Hertfordshire ahead of tonight’s Champions League group match against Braga, which I suppose the Gunners will win by a couple of goals. If you’re a Gooner, you might well want to check out the pics. If not, then, er, sorry – move along, nothing to see here.

                          

By Ollie Irish

This game was very dull until Joe Cole was sent off just before half-time for a rash tackle on Lauren Koscielny – Cole’s wife Carly watched on in horror. Then something clicked for Liverpool and they actually seemed to play better without Cole after the break.

The second half was a lot of fun and I think both teams will, in the end, be content enough with a point each. First, David Ngog thrashed the ball past Manuel Almunia – flapping again – to give Liverpool an unlikely lead, before the usually reliable Pepe Reina fumbled the ball into his own net, with only seconds left. Oops.

Considering he’s put himself up for sale, I thought Javier Mascherano played really well, but then he might be in a ‘shop window’ frame of mind, rather than a ‘loyalty matters’ frame of mind. Steven Gerrard was in good form too, carrying on where he left off for England last Wednesday. Milan Jovanovic also endeared himself to the Kop with a lively and committed display.

Arsenal will be fine and I still think they’ll finish a couple of places above Liverpool, but a new keeper can’t come soon enough, whether it’s Shay Given or Mark Schwarzer: both will be a significant upgrade on Almunia.

Photo gallery:

                          

By Ollie Irish

Proof if proof be need be that Cesc is staying at Arsenal this season. Maybe. Er, I’m not sure really. Who is?

                          

By Chris Wright

An EXCLUSIVE! report on Sport.co.uk this morning seems to suggest that Arsenal may be mulling over a move for Japan’s stand-out World Cup star Keisuke Honda, who currently plays his club football in Russia with CSKA Moscow.

The site also seem to believe that Liverpool are in pursuit of the 24-year-old attacking midfielder, all of which they have managed to garner from these rather vague quotes from the player’s agent Kees Ploegsma;

“A few clubs have contacted me about the situation and asked me questions about Keisuke but no club has made a serious offer for him. No one has contacted the club to make a formal offer.

There are several clubs interested but so far nothing has happened regarding a formal offer.

I don’t know if CSKA Moscow will let him leave, or what sort of money they will be asking. Discussions will take place when a club makes a formal offer for the player.”

As you may have noticed, mentions of Arsenal (zero) and mentions of Liverpool (zero) are a little thin on the ground, but you’ve got to agree – it’s still one hell of an exclusive!

                          

By Ollie Irish

“Make them stop, dear God.”

It’s okay to hate Barcelona – divine, mystical, untouchable, godlike Barcelona. It’s okay now because they’re weaselly c**ts who act without class, shame or respect for other clubs.

With regard to the blatant and relentless courting – tapping up, in effect – of Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas, I believe Barca have brought the game into disrepute. Plain and simple. Except, of course the Catalans are above the law (they’re better than everyone else, remember), apparently, and well used to preferential treatment. If angry Gunners are waiting for Uefa to have a quiet word in Sandro Rosell’s ear, they’re in for a very long wait. Barcelona can do what they want, simply because they’re Barcelona, gatekeepers of the Beautiful Game.

Naturally, it’s been down to Arsenal fans to speak up about the harassment of Fabregas by Barcelona’s players, many of whom share a dressing room with Fabregas in the Spain national team; many of whom call Cesc a friend. But all of us should speak up – it could be your club next.

This will not stand, man.

At first, I’m sure Fabregas was flattered by Barca’s fluttered lashes. When the hottest girl in the room makes an effort to talk to you, how do think it feels? Of late though, it’s gone from flirting to flat-out stalking. When Carles Puyol and Gerard Pique forced Fabregas to pull on a Barcelona shirt, I cringed. I’m sure Cesc cringed too, inside (“Shit, this won’t look good”) – on the outside he grinned, ever the diplomat, but what the hell was he supposed to do? Twas a lowdown, ill-timed stunt.

As a Tottenham fan, this should be fun, of course. And I’m sure that for a lot of Spurs fans, it is a lot of fun. Watching your biggest rival subjected to drip-drip torture all summer long, constantly reminded that they could lose one of the best players in the world – what more could you ask for?! But Barcelona have crossed a line in their pursuit of Fabregas, to the extent that I have some sympathy with the Gunners.

At the end of last week, Arsene Wenger said enough is enough. But, Terminator like, Barcelona will not stop. Ever, it seems. Even today, Pep Guardiola talked of his desire to sign Fabregas, even though the player is blatantly NOT FOR SALE.

“I think bringing in Cesc will cost a lot… We want him to come, but if Arsenal don’t want to negotiate, he won’t come,” Guardiola said earlier today, in what appeared to be one final effort to prise Arsenal’s captain away from north London.

I don’t know which part of that Barcelona doesn’t understand. Just as I don’t know which part of Barcelona’s behaviour here doesn’t constitute disrepute.

It’s as if Barcelona actually believe that if they keep on picking away at this scab of a rumour, Arsenal will eventually give in, like a parent of the spoiled only child who wants an ice cream: “Okay, okay!! F**king take him already. Jesus, anything to shut you up for one minute.”

This will not stand.

                          

By Ollie Irish

UPDATE: For all of you touchy, humourless Gooners (see comments), I took this quote directly from Press Association. Hardly a shabby source. In the last couple of minutes, PA have altered it, as have I. Their mistake, not mine. Some of you need to relaaaax.

UPDATE 2: Well, it seems a lot a lot of major news outlets reported Cesc’s tense ‘slip’ too, so what I can really do without is witless Gooners falling over themselves to type ‘fuck off cunt’. That said, several Arsenal fans who have commented do themselves credit; you know who you are. The regulars with a brain.

Thing is, I’m not sure some of you understand how damned difficult it is to take an editorial line in a non-club-specific blog – trying to please all of the people all of the time is literally impossible. I simply call it as I see it; sometimes I think your club is wrong, sometimes I think it’s right. (For club-specific blogs, this line takes care of itself; it’s ‘us against the world’, which is quite an easy place from which to form a popular view: ‘The Spuds are cunts’, no matter what’ – this tribalism is just not my thing.)

I could of course point to a large number of pro-Arsenal posts on Pies, and from a Tottenham fan who happily admits to admiring Arsenal’s football under Wenger, but it seems many of you have made up your minds without doing your research – such is the internet. But, if you’ll allow me a C-Ron moment of egotistical douchery, that’s why I’m in this position – editor of one of the most successful independent football websites in the world – and some of you (the monosyllabic idiots) are angrily thumping your keyboards at 11pm.

So, a reminder: Pies is lightweight, irreverent, something for your lunchbreak – it’s not rocket science, but that doesn’t mean you can resort to foul-mouthed abuse when commenting, unless you also have something interesting to say. Those who do abuse will not be allowed to comment again.

Cheers, Ollie.

After Spain’s 1-0 win over the Dirty Dutch in Sunday’s World Cup final, Cesc Fabregas dedicated the win to current club Arsenal. But he sounded like a man who will be joining compatriots Xavi and Andres Iniesta in Barcelona. Anyway, see what you think of his quote:

“This [World Cup win] is for the Arsenal players, the Arsenal fans, for the manager and all his staff.

“I have had lots of texts and Blackberry messages. My phone is full.

“I had a text message of congratulations from Arsene Wenger. He said I deserve it. I just think this is for everyone at Arsenal who helped me get to where I am now.

“I am really proud to be an Arsenal player.”

                          

By Ollie Irish

Who could the nervous player be? Why it’s jitterbug Manuel Almunia, of course. Who else!?

Speaking to Kenya newspaper The Standard, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said: “Manuel Almunia is a talented goalkeeper. In training, he is superb, the only problem is that he gets nervous on big matches, thereby making silly mistakes.

“After the World Cup, we will be making an announcement on goalkeeping.”

Finally, Wenger admits what the rest of us have been saying for months. Arsenal’s goalkeeping situation was neglected by Wenger (surely not because he’s stubborn Frenchman?) and it cost the Gunners dear last season. You simply can’t have a keeper who gets nervous in big matches. Ask Fabio Capello about Rob Green.

* * * * *

Wenger has already strengthened his squad this summer with the arrivals of Marouane Chamakh, the Morocco striker, from Girondins, and French centre-back Laurent Koscielny. Looks like a new keeper is on the way soon.

Poor Manuel – has he tried dope?