Wenger’s wise words on the transfer rumours

On June 26, 2008February 21, 2011 By jamesgillespIn Arsenal4 Comments

Arsène Wenger knows what he’s doing. That’s a statement which will get you harrassment from certain sections of Arsenal fans who seem to hate Wenger. The thing is that in Wenger we have the best manager ever to work with Arsenal Football Club and he does know how to achieve success.

He has been criticised for his transfer activity of late – but those critics should remember all the great players he has unearthed – Vieira, Henry and more. You can question him, but there is a difference between that and unfounded conjecture.

Wenger knows what he wants for next season – and that’s a competitive team:

“I know a lot has been written about us, but I am very calm”

“Why? Because I don’t know why I should be nervous. It’s like when you take a penalty, if you are nervous it doesn’t help. I will approach it with my usual calm. My biggest challenge is to make sure I have a competitive team next year no matter who it is.”

Good stuff Arsène.

Wenger talks about Scolari and criticises appointment

On June 26, 2008June 26, 2008 By jamesgillespIn Arsenal4 Comments

Finally a bit of fresh air, news which isn’t related to rumours and crap.

Wenger’s been talking about Phil Scolari – the new Chelsea boss. He’s a good manager, but he doesn’t have much club experience, jut a stnt in Qatar or something?? A good appointment for Chelseas though.

Wenger:

“I like Scolari as a person. I like him as a coach and I think he has charisma. He will add something to the Premier League. You never know what will happen but he is a quality man, a quality manager.”

He reckons that the system at Chelsea won’t change:

“The system he plays looks similar to the 4-5-1/4-3-3 system that Chelsea play. Whether it is down to the fact that they have similar strikers, I don’t know. There will be a change, because every manager brings his own personality and he will buy players, but the system won’t change.

Wenger also criticised the timing of the announcement:

“What’s for sure is that it didn’t give anything to the team, so it could only take something away. It didn’t help Portugal. “France had that situation in 2004 when (Jacques) Santini announced he was going to Tottenham. Once that happens all you hear is ‘who will be next?’ That starts in the camp as well.”

He’s absolutely right, and it seems to me that it miht have even contributed to Portugal going out of Euro 2008.

Speaking of the Euros, who do you fancy tonight? Russia vs. Spain. I’m going for Spain, but I have a feeling Russia might sneak in.

Only a few weeks till the season begins!

On June 26, 2008 By jamesgillespIn Arsenal

If you can’t wait for Arsenal to start playing some footie again then don’t worry because the first friendly of the pre-season is nearly upon us. In a bout 3 weeks rsenal kick off against Barnet, the traditonal Arsenal pre-season friendly at Underhill.

Then there’s a few European friendlies, the Emirates Cup – Juventus, Real and Hamburg and then the Amsterdam Tournament too.

Arsenal Pre-Season Fixtures

July
19 Sat Friendly A Barnet 3pm
22 Tue Friendly A Szombathelyi H.6.30pm CET
28 Mon Friendly A Burgenland XI 6.30pm CET
30 Wed Friendly A VfB Stuttgart TBA
August

2 Sat Emirates Cup H Juventus 4.15pm SS1
3 Sun Emirates Cup H Real Madrid 4.15pm SS1
6 Wed Friendly A Huddersfield 7pm
8 Fri Amsterdam Tournament A Ajax 8.15pm SS1
9 Sat Amsterdam Tournament N Sevilla

Hopefully we’ll see apperances from Ramsey and Vela and one or two new faces possibly as well!