Sutton United manager Paul Doswell says he has no sympathy for Arsene Wenger ahead of Arsenal clash
Monday night will be a shock to the system for Wenger, who is under more pressure than he has ever been
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Sutton United manager Paul Doswell has revealed that he has no sympathy for Arsene Wenger as the Frenchman faces intense scrutiny in the wake of Arsenal's spectacular collapse against Bayern Munich in the Champions League.
Wenger is facing growing calls from the club's disgruntled supporters not to accept the contract offer on the table and extend his deal, which expires at the end of the season, following a dismal second-half display in Germany.
Non-league Sutton will be the next opponents for the Gunners when they travel to the south London club for the fifth round of the Emirates FA Cup on Monday evening.
And while Doswell feels Wenger, who has been in charge at Arsenal since 1996, is being unfairly criticised, he does not feel sorry for the 67-year-old Frenchman.
"Do I feel sympathy for him? No," said Doswell, who watched Wednesday night's Champions League match at home with his wife and son. "He is well schooled, and he has been in the job for 20 years.
"Jose Mourinho, Pep Guardiola, Wenger... I don't feel sorry for them at all because they are in the mad world that is football."
Arsenal headed into the interval in Munich on level terms, but now face an almost impossible task of qualifying for the quarter-finals after Carlo Ancelotti's side ran out emphatic 5-1 winners.
"I thought for the first 47 minutes they looked like, if not the better team, certainly on a par with Bayern," Doswell added. "Then Bayern Munich went into Bayern Munich mode and in fairness I think they would have beaten any Premier League team.
"It is not a disgrace. I know the result is going to sound poor and there is going to be an overreaction but when Bayern, Barcelona and Real Madrid fancy it, you are in real trouble.
"In sport it is about levels and none of the top six English clubs can get near Bayern, Barcelona or Real Madrid. That is a fact."
Doswell has guided Sutton, 17th in the National League, to the fifth round of the FA Cup for the first time in their history. He will present Wenger with a £300 bottle of red wine, hand-picked by his brother, when the two teams meet on Monday night.
"Wenger is getting criticised - and I think wrongly - that he doesn't have enough leaders in the dressing room, but he has still managed to qualify for the Champions League for the last 15 years," Doswell added.
"I would rather be in Arsenal's position than Manchester United's, who are playing in the Europa League.
"It is an open forum to criticise Arsenal and Arsene Wenger, but from our perspective we are just over the moon that they are coming here."
PA
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments