Boss Hails "Unbelievable" Wenger

By Steven Back

Alan Pardew has paid tribute to Arsene Wenger ahead of Newcastle United's trip to Arsenal on Saturday, admitting the Gunners' manager has done an "unbelievable job" at the Emirates Stadium.

Wenger was subjected to verbal abuse from his own supporters at a train station following last weekend's defeat at Stoke City.

But Pardew told the media of his respect for Arsenal's supremo and everything the Frenchman has accomplished during his 18-year tenure in North London.

"He's had a couple of difficult results just recently but Arsene - like every manager - will get through it," said Pardew.

"His treatment in that train station was totally disrespectful. I'm sure every Arsenal fans will be ashamed of that and they will be looking to put that right on Saturday night, I'm sure.

"This is a guy who has done an unbelievable job and in some ways the stadium should be named after him.

"If he hadn't been as astute in the transfer market as he has been, they wouldn't have been able to compete in the Champions League with the amount of stadium debt they had when they first moved in. He's done an absolutely marvellous job.

"I've had one run in with him, which was a last minute goal at West Ham. Other than that, he has been very good to me and loaned me Alex Song when I was at Charlton.

"That was a massive signing for us and almost saved us from relegation so I've always had nothing but mutual respect and I've always enjoyed watching his teams."