Cheeky Chip

Arsene Wenger rightfully rips apart Raymond Domenech

By Eric Beard

William Gallas was ruled out for five weeks after re-injuring his calf during this enthralling 2-2 Champions League match between Arsenal and Barcelona. After hearing this news, French national team coach Raymond Domenech was “livid” with the fact that Wenger had played Gallas so soon after declaring himself fit. Wait… let’s break that down. Actually, let’s allow “The Professor” to do so.

Domenech stated, “It’s outrageous and irresponsible to have played so early after the injury. He’d better be fit for the World Cup.”

Arsene Wenger responded to Domenech’s capricious rashness with a cheeky statement, which really states the obvious. He said, “The player declares himself fit, the medical staff declared him fit, the rehabilitation centre declared him fit, but I still cannot play him because maybe France needs him in the summer in the World Cup, during which we pay him as well?”

Raymond Domenech just is the epitome of a moron, isn’t he? I mean, as a national team manager you face a lot of scrutiny, so you really should be able to judge what is worth arguing about. Calling Arsene Wenger, the man everyone in France would be happy to see in Domenech’s job, irresponsible is just not the way to regain popularity. Also, Gallas is only out for 5 weeks and the World Cup starts in about 10 weeks. I know French football has its fair share of politics, but doesn’t logic fail to explain how someone as foolish as Domenech is still the manager of France?

(Highlights of Arsenal’s 1-0 victory over Wolves are after the jump)