TRY SUMO TO GET BIG RESPECT
ARSENE WENGER reckons Jose Mourinho should take up sumo wrestling if he wants to get some respect.
Manchester United boss Mourinho had milk chucked at him when he went into Manchester City’s dressing room to complain about their noisy derby victory celebrations on Sunday.
That brought back memories for Wenger of the time Cesc Fabregas scored a direct hit on Sir Alex Ferguson with a slice of pizza following a bad-tempered United versus Gunners clash in 2004.
The Frenchman takes his side to West Ham tonight and hasn’t forgotten what happened when Arsenal last lost there in 2006. Wenger had a furious bust-up with then-Hammers boss Alan Pardew, who he felt went over the top in celebrating Marlon Harewood’s late winner.
Wenger, who was a boss in Japan before coming to England, reckons the only sport on the planet where respect is guaranteed is sumo wrestling.
He said: “Every two months for 15 days every day you have a fight, and the guy who wins the most fights is the winner of the tournament.
“But to become yokozuna, the top of the top, you have go in front of a committee.
“If you did not behave well, even if you won the tournament, you cannot become the yokozuna. It is one of the few sports in the world that has not changed since the middle ages, since the 1600s – no rules at all.
“They are dressed and the referees are dressed the same. In fact, I would like to see our referees in this dress.
“When the winner doesn’t show any emotion or respect for the loser, that is something that surprises all of us.”
David Moyes will want to give Wenger the chance to prove he is not a sore loser by following up Saturday’s win over Chelsea with victory over Arsenal.
Whatever the result Moyes will want to stay on the right side of Wenger after admitting midfielder Jack Wilshere is top of his shopping list. Moyes reckons how the Hammers get on in next month’s transfer window could be decisive in whether they beat the drop or are relegated.
“I do believe it could be the difference,” said Moyes.
“Jack Wilshere would be someone who we would have to look at if he was available.”
Moyes also wants to add a defender and a right-back to his squad and expects to be choosing his targets from a list drawn up by the club.
He added: “I’ll make the final decision on who comes in but I do think I need them to come up with the names because of the short time.
“I would hope we’re as ready to go as we can be. I’ve got an idea of where I need to strengthen.”