We will have to wait and see just how hard the football authorities come down on Arsene Wenger, with the Frenchman up on a double FA charge for the comments that got him sent off by John Moss and then his actions in the aftermath, but if they decide that he did push the fourth official then it could be a heavy punishment.
However, despite the fact that losing the manager from the touchline or even the stadium is far from being an ideal scenario for the Gunners in what could be a defining part of the season, his comments in a Sky Sports report which explains that Wenger accepts he was wrong and will not contest the charge, suggest to me that the boss has got a burning passion for Arsenal to succeed.
He said, “I think if I am after 34 years still in the job it is because I am big enough to stand up for what I do. And as well, I’m big enough to know when I do well and when I do not do well. So that’s it.
“I am a passionate guy and I believe that I am completely committed in my job and want to win football games.
“I am completely passionate about it, like all the managers who work in the Premier League. I was quite calm in this game, I must say, for 90 minutes.”
He was certainly not calm when Burnley were given that penalty though, and probably because he thought it would deal a very damaging blow to our title challenge. Some Arsenal fans have suggested that Wenger does not have the drive and determination to lead us to another title, but according to Theo Walcott he is arguably more fired up than ever.
The striker has revealed in another Sky Sports report that the Frenchman recently gave a stirring speech that reminded him of the one that Al Pacino’s character, an American Football coach, gave in the film Any Given Sunday.
Walcott said, “He did a speech the other day. I won’t be able to do the speech because it was that good. It genuinely reminded me of that film ‘Any Given Sunday’ and I actually said that to him!
“I was a bit embarrassed and didn’t know if he’d seen the film, but he showed his passion and how long it’s been since we’ve won the title.
“He wants it like all of his players, but you can tell he really wants it which is really good to see.”
That Pacino speech is all about giving absolutely everything to achieve glory and how even the smallest things can make the difference between winning and losing. The way that Arsenal have been fighting back from some terrible positions to keep our title hopes alive this season tells me that Wenger’s passion is having the right effect on the Arsenal team.
Theo does not say exactly when the boss gave his speech but I have a feeling it might well have been at halftime in the EPL clash with Bournemouth. Is Wenger behind all these late goals and comebacks? Will his passion to win see Arsenal hunt down Chelsea and lift the coveted EPL trophy?
Bob.