Speaking too soon

Wenger's remarks seem arrogant, misguided after loss

Gabriele Marcotti covers international soccer for CNNSI.com. He will answer questions from users in his mailbag periodically.

I hate to say it, but I knew it. Wenger and his big mouth proved me right. He must feel like such a fool losing this Champions qualifier that he should have won. It proves that the arrogance of footballers in general and resting on your laurels does nothing to help. Also, peaking too soon is a common mistake. That is why they will also lose the league to a United side with a real manager at the helm. Now we have three Italian and three Spanish squads in the second round. It is mouthwatering, as Ajax and Manchester make this the best of the best in European football. As you said, all we need is Liverpool and Bayern, and it would be the absolute best. And don't forget about the South American sides of Santos, Penarol and River Plate. Who do you think will win, and how much will the return of Alex Del Piero and Hernan Crespo affect the chances of the Italians? Also, what is going to happen to Roma, which will not even make the UEFA next year? Is Capello on his way out, and will stars leave?
-- Colin, Bahrain

Wenger's comments did make him seem a bit arrogant. They were certainly misguided. However, you can also look at it as Wenger acknowledging that Arsenal has a great team, and they were gunning for the Champions League crown. In some ways, this is more refreshing than the comments of other managers who shirk the responsibility that comes from having strong squads.

Both Alex Del Piero and Hernan Crespo are crucial to the chances of Juventus and Inter -- probably Del Piero more than Crespo, since he adds a different dimension to Juve's game.

I think Capello's job is safe, regardless. Roma looks like it will invest some serious cash this summer, bringing in as many as four new players. Cafu and Aldair are at the end of their contracts, and Francesco Antonioli will be gone as well. I'd expect Roma to sign a top center/forward -- a quality wide midfielder and a solid central defender.

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What do you make of the recent controversy surrounding Italy calling Mauro Camoranesi? Personally, I am torn. On the one hand, I don't think Italy has had a true attacking option from the flank since Donadoni, but then is Camoranesi truly Italian or is this Trap's desperate attempt to save his job?
-- Nick, Ferndale, Mich.

I'm against Camoranesi being called up for the simple reason that he's not Italian. He's from Argentina. His case is different from that of, say, Roberto Di Matteo or David Trezeguet (who were raised in Switzerland and Argentina, respectively). Both those guys chose at a young age whom they would play for. Indeed, Di Matteo turned down the chance to play for Switzerland while he was still relatively unknown in Italy. On the other hand, Camoranesi only chose Italy after it became clear that he wouldn't be picked for Argentina. To me, that says a lot. Integrity is more important than a talented right winger who can go past people.

Gab, the current idea of where the World Cup is going to played is somehow foolish in my mind. I understand that Africa must host the next one, and I think it's a good idea that they do. But what about the next one? When the Cup rotates to South America, who else can make a good bid to host other than Brazil? What FIFA should do is eliminate the last two continents that have hosted the Cup. There will be four continents vying to host. That will make the bids more competitive. Having only countries from one continent to bid for the Cup sometimes makes them take the bidding for granted. Did they ever consider this predicament?
-- Robert, Chicago

It's a reasonable suggestion, but not that different from the current rotation mechanism. The most important thing, in my opinion, is that the World Cup is held in a country that is safe, has suitable facilities and loves the game. Blatter said the 2010 World Cup would go to Africa, but, generally, he doesn't limit it to one continent. That was a special case.

Do you think that the Champions League's credibility would be contested if Barcelona wins it and, at the same time, gets relegated from La Liga? What would UEFA do about it?
-- Gary Dieudamour, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Well, first of all, it probably won't happen. But, if it did, I think UEFA would just accept it. If Barcelona (or any other team) wins the competition fair and square on the pitch, I have no problem with it, even if it then gets relegated.

My comment is in response to your response to "Mo" about the Scottish league never being able to get better. Well, that's a very outdated thought. If leagues weren't able to get better with time, then we'd always have the same teams winning the same competitions. Although that looks to be true a lot of times, the gradual changes are apparent as well. I'm a Turk, and just 10 years ago I remember how we were happy that a few handfuls of foreign players were attracted to play in Turkish league play. The only player we exported was Kubilay Turkyilmaz (who ironically became a Swiss citizen). Now we have a dozen or so players playing in the most prestigious clubs or Europe, and certain stars like Oscar Cordoba, Zago, Ortega, Rebrov, Xavier, Hagi, Popescu, Ilie, Lee Yong, Dirk Heinen and Giunti were attracted to play in the Turkish league. It's true, soccer is like the stock market -- some falter and some rise. Greek and Turkish leagues are on the up, whereas the German Bundesliga is faltering.
-- Tolga, Austin, Texas

I think Turkey is a different case from Scotland. Scotland is a much smaller country that has to compete with England for media attention and players. Turkey has made tremendous strides, and, in some ways, it's a blueprint for Scotland to follow, but ultimately it's worth remembering that it has many more players to choose from.

Why is it that when a player gets to represent his country on an international match it is said he's being capped? Is there a historical fact in which caps are given to these players? If so, people like Maldini or Pardo should have quite a drawer-full of them.
-- Luis Chin, Oaxaca, Mexico

The term "cap" is a British term going back to the day when players did indeed receive actual caps for each international appearance. That doesn't happen anymore (though players get a commemorative cap when they make their debut), but the term has stuck.

 

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