Wenger - X-rated tackles need longer bans

By Chris Harris

Arsène Wenger wants to see longer suspensions for players who commit dangerous tackles.The Premier League has been tainted in recent weeks by a string of X-rated challenges with Newcastle's Kevin Nolan sent off for his foul on Everton striker Victor Anichebe while the midweek game between Wigan and West Ham was marred by wild tackles.Arsenal have been on the receiving end of two high-profile incidents in the past three years. Abou Diaby suffered a serious ankle injury following a two-footed challenge by Sunderland's Dan Smith in May 2006 and Eduardo's leg was broken by Martin Taylor of Birmingham City last year.Wenger does not believe that a three-match ban is sufficient in those cases and has long advocated stiffer punishments. The Arsenal manager explained how he would address the situation when the topic cropped up at his pre-match press conference on Thursday."They [the Football Association] could create a special committee to analyse if a three-game suspension is enough or not," said Wenger. "But I feel that 10 matches is not enough for some of the tackles we have seen."I have seen some horrible tackles this season and I don't think the punishment is sufficient. Kevin Nolan's tackle on Victor Anichebe the other week was horrendous. An accident can happen when two people go for the ball but it is very rare. What I see is that guys go into the tackle to hurt the player. There is not sufficient punishment."Maybe we need to be stronger with our own players but sometimes you see the players make horrendous tackles and then say to the referee, 'What's wrong there?' You think, 'my friend, touch your head because you have completely lost touch with reality'. It is unbelievable but they know what they have done."It concerns me when I see someone jumping in like a mad guy as we have some players who weigh 90 kilos and can run the 100 metres in 11 seconds. If they jump in they completely destroy an opponent."I like tackling because it’s a fantastic technique. What I don’t like is when the referees punish all the tackles without distinction and I’m scared that might force the good tackles out of the game. "A good tackle is beautiful to watch; you see the guy sliding in, and trying to play the ball. But when you see the guy go in with two feet – one level with the knee and one above the ball – you say ‘bye, bye, go home, what are you doing on a football pitch?’ "The danger is of the people just going in blindly. When you do a good tackle you are relaxed, completely relaxed and you master every movement you do. You know your target is to get the ball from the opponent without hurting him. But I don't see many good tacklers now."

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Clichy - Managerial stability lets us focus

By Declan Taylor

Gael Clichy believes that Arsenal’s continued managerial stability since the arrival of Arsène Wenger has enabled the Club to flourish. Wenger is currently halfway through his 11th full season in charge at Arsenal, making him the Premier League’s second-longest serving manager behind Sir Alex Ferguson who has been at Old Trafford since 1986. Clichy thinks this hands the Gunners an advantage over clubs who favour a ‘revolving door’ policy to management because solidity behind the scenes allows the players to focus firmly on football. “When I heard Arsenal wanted to sign me, the most important thing was that the boss was here and that he'd be here for many years to come,” said Clichy at Thursday’s pre-match press conference. “When you see a club like Chelsea who change managers, have a few in a year, it's difficult. “As a footballer you just want to focus on football but when something like that happens with your coach it's difficult to cope with. “That's the main thing for Arsenal, to have someone like Arsène Wenger as a manager. “You can play well even without your best player in the team but the club cannot have success with many different coaches.“I guess he will leave one day, he will retire one day, but I truly feel he will stay until at least the end of his contract. “Arsenal are his club. If he has to move on he will but it's not a concern, as players we just have to keep focused on the performance on the pitch. The boss has shown that he has a lot of commitment to this club and all the success is down to him.”

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Wenger - Consistency the key in top-four race

Arsène Wenger believes that "consistency" will be the key to Arsenal's pursuit of a top-four finish.Tuesday night's victory over West Bromwich Albion, coupled with Aston Villa's defeat at Manchester City, left the Gunners just three points behind Martin O'Neill's side in the race for a Champions League place.Arsenal have not lost in the Premier League since November but Villa have suffered a dip in form as injuries start to take their toll and fatigue sets in after a campaign which started way back in July with the Inter-Toto Cup.Wenger needs Villa to drop at least three points between now and the end of the season and he also wants to rein in Liverpool and Chelsea during the run-in. However, the Frenchman's aims will only be met if his team keeps churning out the right results."It is down to our consistency and our performances," said Wenger."Villa are in [the race for a top-four place] and Everton are in it. There is a place for one of the three teams. I believe we will do it, but our target is to catch back on Chelsea and Liverpool because they are not unattainable, not out of reach."I believe in our strengths, motivation and quality and that's why I am confident we will do it. It is a marathon season for Aston Villa and that's why I believe the top quality is consistency."We are consistent now so let's keep our spirit and determination and we will do it."

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