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Ahead of their visit to the Emirates Stadium to take on Arsenal in the Premier League on Saturday, Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew has come out and defended Arsene Wenger after he was booed by Arsenal fans after a defeat to Stoke City. A group of Gunners fans were at the railway station to boo the players and manager while they were boarding the train back to London.
Pardew, who has been at the end of fans’ abuse himself this season before turning the season around, said: “The incident at the train station was totally disrespectful.
“I think 90% 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.”
Wenger keeping Arsenal in the Champions League was a miracle: Pardew
Pardew also praised the Gunners manager and said the club should rename the stadium after the French manager.
“The stadium should be named after Arsène,” Pardew said.
“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.
Wenger best manager in EPL history after Sir Alex Ferguson: Pardew
Pardew also spoke about Wenger’s legacy in the Premier League and said he was one of the best managers in the league’s history.
“After Sir Alex Ferguson he’s the best manager in Premier League history. José Mourinho hasn’t done enough yet.”
“I think everyone at Arsenal knows Arsène’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. Arsène knows instant results are massive, even for someone who has been in the position as long as he has,” he added.
Pardew also spoke about his personal rivalry with Wenger and said that the touchline scuffle he had was all in the past.
“I’ve had one run-in with Arsène when I was at West Ham and there was a last-minute goal but otherwise he’s been fantastic with me,” he said.
“I have nothing but respect for him and I’ve always enjoyed watching his teams.”
