The Offside Treble – QPR and Palace players have a brawl in a pub. Louis van Gaal tells Neville to pay attention to his words and Gary Lineker stick up for Arsene Wenger

This week Jen Offord talks about QPR’s Christmas party antics, Gary Neville and Louis Van Gaal having words and Match of the day presenter Gary Lineker condemns the abuse Arsene Wenger got while boarding a train.

Falling Down

So it looks like Queens Park Rangers’ boss Harry Redknapp was right to take a hard line against Christmas parties. Something must have been lost in translation when Harry told them Christmas was off, as his team appeared to have gone for a festive night out, regardless. In a tale as old as time, chaos (quite predictably) was reported to have ensued during drinks with players of fellow London club, Crystal Palace.

Steven Caulker reportedly ended up in A&E following what the Sun referred to as a ‘brawl’. Caulker apparently had ‘blood pouring from his head’ after an altercation over a spilt drink; though in another shocking development, claims made in the Sun’s article were strenuously denied by team-mates.

QPR’s Robert Green told Radio 5 Live, “an accurate headline on the story would be ‘man falls over’.” Furthermore, claims that one-time ruffian Joey Barton ‘acted as a peacekeeper’ were also unfounded. No surprises there, then.

Getting Away With It

Former Manchester United hero Gary Neville, has ruffled a few feathers this week by saying his old side’s forthcoming game against Liverpool could be like ‘The Dog and Duck versus The Red Lion’.

While apparently having conceded that Neville might have had a point – claiming that his old side ‘got away with murder’ during last week’s game against Southampton (who are inexplicably fifth in the league) – United boss Louis Van Gaal was unimpressed by the pub game comment.

Speaking at a press conference this week, Van Gaal remarked, “…he can say everything because he is an ex-legend. But as an ex-legend… or as a legend, you have to know what he is saying. You can interpret that [as you like]. It’s not difficult. He has to pay attention to his words.”

I can’t interpret any of it – neither Van Gaal’s turn of phrase or Neville’s. Does anyone know what it actually means? Does it mean it will be amateurish? Why does he even care? Van Gaal had just steered his side to a fifth consecutive league win, do people really care what Gary Neville thinks?

Cruel

Back in North London, it’s been a tough old time for Arsene Wenger of late – who’s increasingly facing criticism from Arsenal’s supporters following a poor run in form. I’ve seen some sombre faces walking home from the Emirates of late, and it’s particularly sad to see someone in a ‘Where’s Wally?’ style hat looking glum. It’s sadder still to see video footage of fans jeering at Wenger as he boarded a train home after their defeat to Stoke at the weekend.

Match of the Day’s Gary Lineker took to Twitter to condemn Wenger’s haters – branding them “disgusting, disrespectful and totally inexcusable.” Gary’s right, Wenger has been a good manager over the years so chill the hell out – you’re only in sixth place not up for relegation.

Try supporting Charlton Athletic and then we’ll talk about disappointment. Anyway, who gets pissed and records themselves shouting abuse at someone? Have you never watched the news, Hollyoaks or interacted with social media? Traditionally, this sort of thing does rather end up with you looking at best, like an idiot or at worst, a downright nasty piece of work.

Chin up Arsene and keep the faith, safe in the knowledge that no one else will ever have a name so befitting of their club.

Read more from Jen Offord here!

Follow @inspireajen