Wenger: Pay players what they're worth
Arsene Wenger has defended the right of the top players in the Barclays Premiership to earn vast wages – as long as their attitude is right.
The massive salaries earned by players have come under fire again this week with Birmingham co-owner David Sullivan lashing out at City stars who felt they did not need to turn up for club events despite picking up £20,000 (€29,000) to £30,000 (€44,000) a week.
But the Arsenal coach insists as long as their attitude is right, he has no problems with his top players earning vast sums.
“It does not matter how much you are paid in life, it is your attitude that is important,” said Wenger.
“I have earned 10 times less in my life but I had exactly the same attitude, so it does not matter.
“If I agree to do a job for £1 I will do it well. The players do not decide or force the club to spend the money they do.
“I do not have a problem with the money the players earn as long as they have the right attitude.
“We still have a wage cap at Arsenal. We are in a world that is well paid but when you compare that with worlds that are not that well paid, it looks not right.
“But as long as the income of the money at the club is balanced with what goes out, I don’t have a problem. At our club I have always felt that I can only be proud of the attitude, motivation and dedication of the players.”
Wenger said if anything he was there to help his players make money out of the game.
“I am here, basically, to help the players to make money and have a good life,” said Wenger. “I am not here to help them have a bad life.
“I feel the first respect a player has is to the guy who spends £50 because he wants to see a guy who plays football properly.
“The community does not help the football club to survive. Individually everybody can decide to visit hospitals and do good things.
“We have a responsibility in our job in the way we behave, but outside of our job, our responsibility is the same as anybody else – no more or no less.”
Wenger also ruled out any move to snatch Bayern Munich captain Michael Ballack from under the noses of Barclays Premiership rivals Chelsea.
Chelsea are set to land the Germany international on a free transfer when his contract ends in the summer but Wenger says he was never given the chance to sign him.
“I have not been offered Michael Ballack because he has signed somewhere else,” said Wenger. “Blue suits him much better.”
