Arsenal Boss Wenger Outspoken Over Away Goal Ruling
stonejah said
11:54 02/24 2009
Ahead of Arsenal's hosting of Italian club AS Roma in the first leg of the round of 16 clash in the Champions League, Arsene Wenger has announced his opposition to the current away goal ruling, claiming it is dated.
The Frenchman also added that he has already mooted an alternative option to UEFA, stating that Europe's governing body should take a leaf out of England's League Cup booklet, where away goals only taken into consideration at the end of extra time.
He told journalists prior to the Sunderland stalemate at the weekend, "The [current] rule was created in the 1950s when teams went away from home, with no television, played with ten defenders and kicked every ball into the stand.
"Now I believe that the tactical weight of the away goal has become too important. Teams get a 0-0 draw at home and theyre happy. Instead of having a positive effect it has been pushed too far tactically in the modern game. It has the opposite effect than it was supposed to have at the start; it favours defending well when you play at home."
On the various alternatives available, he said, "We proposed to Uefa at some stage that the away goal should only kick in like it does in the Carling Cup; in extra time. It would still favour the team who plays at home because they play 30 minutes more.
"At the moment when you get 0-0 at home, and then go away, the team who plays against you absolutely has to score. They have to come at you," he concluded.
Wenger also believes that teams should be rewarded for playing with an attacking style, and that points should be given to teams who win games by more than one, two and three goals.
A similar system is currently employed in Arsenal's annual pre-season tournament; the Emirates Cup. Teams are awarded three points for a win, a point for a draw, and then an extra point for every goal scored.
The Frenchman also added that he has already mooted an alternative option to UEFA, stating that Europe's governing body should take a leaf out of England's League Cup booklet, where away goals only taken into consideration at the end of extra time.
He told journalists prior to the Sunderland stalemate at the weekend, "The [current] rule was created in the 1950s when teams went away from home, with no television, played with ten defenders and kicked every ball into the stand.
"Now I believe that the tactical weight of the away goal has become too important. Teams get a 0-0 draw at home and theyre happy. Instead of having a positive effect it has been pushed too far tactically in the modern game. It has the opposite effect than it was supposed to have at the start; it favours defending well when you play at home."
On the various alternatives available, he said, "We proposed to Uefa at some stage that the away goal should only kick in like it does in the Carling Cup; in extra time. It would still favour the team who plays at home because they play 30 minutes more.
"At the moment when you get 0-0 at home, and then go away, the team who plays against you absolutely has to score. They have to come at you," he concluded.
Wenger also believes that teams should be rewarded for playing with an attacking style, and that points should be given to teams who win games by more than one, two and three goals.
A similar system is currently employed in Arsenal's annual pre-season tournament; the Emirates Cup. Teams are awarded three points for a win, a point for a draw, and then an extra point for every goal scored.