Arsenal to name stadium after Wenger?

• Posted on December 12, 2014December 12, 2014
• by Nana Kwesi Coomson
• Comment

The Newcastle boss says that the Frenchman’s achievements in north London have to be respected – even though the Gunners are enduring their worst start to a Premier League season

Arsenal should honour Arsene Wenger’s achievements by naming their stadium after him, according to Alan Pardew.

The vastly-experienced coach, who hosts Pardew’s Newcastle United side on Saturday, is under increased scrutiny after Arsenal’s worst-ever start to a Premier League season.

Banners were visible calling for Wenger’s dismissal during the midweek Champions League win over Galatasaray, while the Frenchman was hassled by fans at a train station following a 3-2 defeat to Stoke City.

But Pardew, who has experienced the ire of fans for much of his Newcastle tenure, believes Wenger’s work in north London should be suitably recognised.

“The stadium should be named after Arsene,” Pardew told reporters.

“The job he did with that move across from Highbury, when he had all that debt and had to be very careful with his transfer budget, was incredible. It was a miracle that he kept them in the Champions League.

He added: “The incident at the train station was totally disrespectful. I think 90 per cent of Arsenal fans would have been ashamed of that and we could get the backlash of it.

“The crowd on Saturday will want to show how much they love him. After Sir Alex Ferguson he’s the best manager in Premier League history. Jose Mourinho hasn’t done enough yet.

“I think everyone at Arsenal knows Arsene’s done a magnificent job – but all of us managers are on six-or seven-game trials with the media and social media. We have to accept that.

“Arsene knows instant results are massive, even for someone who has been in the position as long as he has.”

By: Alex Young