Wenger - Media's focus can brainwash us

By Chris Harris

Arsène Wenger believes that the media 'brainwashes' the public with the way it sets the news agenda.

The Arsenal manager has dealt nimbly with the 'Fourth Estate' since he arrived in England in September 1996 and has always enjoyed a cordial relationship with journalists. But Wenger feels that real footballing issues are sometimes brushed under the carpet while other matters are amplified beyond all reason.

William Gallas' challenge on Bolton midfielder Mark Davies hit the headlines this week but Wenger wonders why equally newsworthy incidents during Arsenal's double-header with Bolton have been largely ignored. He has seen it all before, of course, but the lack of balance in the media still surprises him.

"Fabregas had two clear penalties at Bolton and one or two here," recalled Wenger. "At Bolton there was what happened after [the penalty claim] when they [Bolton players] pulled his hair and stood on his neck.

"Why is no-one sensitive to that? Does that not make a story? You wonder why. We saw it three or four times when we watched the tape afterwards and we spoke about it. How can that not be a penalty?

"Today, we are all brainwashed by one or two main medias who decide what we have to talk about and we talk about that.

"When it becomes the main story you have to give your opinion about it. I can accept that but it doesn't always mean they are right. Some incidents they [the media] have not picked are sometimes more important than that. But I don't get upset any more. It just glides over me."

[Friday, January 22, 2010]

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