Patrice Evra Sticks To His Guns Over Arsenal ‘Training Centre’ Jibe

Chris Wright

16th, December 2010

9 Comments

By Chris Wright

Manchester United’s unofficial PR rep Patrice Evra feels that his call to write Arsenal off as a ‘training centre’ before the two sides met on Monday has been completely vindicated by the Gunners’ sallow performance thereafter.

Evra mocked Arsene Wenger‘s side for prizing attractive football over ‘killing off games’ to get results, and implied that their penchant for the ‘dry hump’ was an overriding factor in their ongoing five-year trophy drought.

The Frenchman told the Sun:

“I think we confirmed what I’d said before the match. I think Arsenal played really well, you shouldn’t neglect that, but we were better – I really say that without any arrogance.

“I heard people saying that what I said was below the belt, but that wasn’t my intention. I just wanted to show how much I believe in my team, in their potential and strength.”

Evra also claimed that Arsenal’s predictability allowed United to form a match-winning game plan beforehand:

“We know Arsenal and we know that if you don’t let them breathe, which is what the coach said before the match, then it becomes hard for them – especially at Old Trafford.

“United always show up for the big games. Arsenal enjoyed a lot of possession but only had one chance.

“I think our victory was really deserved, it didn’t boil down to small details. But people will have a go at me again for saying what I think.”

God love him. He’s bonkers but, as per, he’s just about on the money.

Posted in Arsenal, Man Utd

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9 Comments

  1. billy says:

    evra should learn to realize luck is different from the performance they put in on monday. i have never rated evra and I think he is one of the manchester united players who thrive on the hard work of others ones so that his misgivings are never revealed.

  2. Kerstin says:

    Really not impressive to win with just one goal over a “traingground group of players”. It says more about United than Arsenal, considering most “trainggorund players” would love to be able to just lose with one goal against United.

  3. Jon says:

    @billy – you clearly don’t know sh*t if you don’t rate Evra. He is probably the best left back in the game and is by far the most consistent. Sounds like a bit of sour grapes with your “luck is different from performance” comment as well. While I agree that our offense was a bit fragmented once we got in the box, we controlled a lot of posession and got the winner. Obviously there was a little luck in the header, but I think it was a great bit of skill by Park to react so quick and redirect the ball. Plus, you can not deny the fact that our defense was air-tight, arsenal barely even got into the box let alone threatened us. Overall, it wasn’t our best performance but even with that we were able to completely dominate our closest title rivals. All-in-all I’m happy… :D

  4. shay says:

    The way people claim it’s luck anytime Manchester United are successful they must be Jesus’ favorite team. He’s must be up there watching, wearing his jersey and holding up a scarf.

  5. Nick Holloway says:

    How can anyone NOT rate Evra? Anyone who is a full shilling knows he is class.
    United lucky? What, 20years of luck? Yeah…. okay

  6. RedSkywalker says:

    Evra is class. He’s becoming a true United legend on the pitch and he always knows what hes talking about

  7. kuiz says:

    f**k evra

  8. mike says:

    Wenger Blames Direction of Wind For Defeat http://wp.me/p1cykJ-4r

  9. jl says:

    how can anyone NOT call it luck, when you only won 1-0, by a header from a scramble, inside the box, that was impossible for the keeper to get to. i admit arsenal was not playing too well, wasted possession more than once, but evra has no right calling arsenal ‘training ground’. extremely disrespectful considering they’re only two points behind.

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