Category: Arsène Wenger

By David Hytner on September 21st, 2017

Arsène Wenger denies making example of Alexis Sánchez after failed move

• Chile forward has yet to start in the Premier League since Man City interest
• Wenger says he believes Sánchez is happy at Arsenal

Arsène Wenger has insisted he is not seeking to make any sort of point to Alexis Sánchez over his selections of him so far this season.

Sánchez tried and failed to force a move to Manchester City before the closure of the summer transfer window and Wenger has used him of late as a starter in the Europa League and Carabao Cup but only as a substitute in the Premier League.

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By Guardian Staff on September 20th, 2017

Arsenal using Carabao Cup to test new players, says Wenger – video

Speaking before his team’s match against Doncaster at the Emirates on Wednesday, Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger say he is using the tournament to trial some of his newest players. He adds that his current set of young players are some of the best he has ever had

Arsenal • Arsène Wenger • Doncaster Rovers • Football • Sport

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By Jamie Jackson on September 20th, 2017

Darren Ferguson: ‘Arsène Wenger is sorting the tickets for my father at Arsenal’

Doncaster’s manager will recreate a famous touchline pairing when he takes on Arsenal in the Carabao Cup. He discusses Wenger, Sir Alex’s advice and his Premier League ambitions

In his office overlooking Doncaster Rovers’ lush training pitches Darren Ferguson is telling a story that neatly illustrates how close his father, Sir Alex, and Arsène Wenger are these days. Ferguson Jr’s side play Arsenal on Wednesday night in a Carabao Cup tie that pits two famous managerial names against each other again.

Ferguson Sr and Wenger were sworn enemies during the late 1990s and early 2000s, when Manchester United and Arsenal duelled as English football’s pre‑eminent forces. The enmity, though, has faded and Wenger’s friendship with the retired Scot is borne out by the fact the Frenchman is helping Ferguson Sr to be at the Emirates to see his son’s side take on the Gunners.

Arsenal • Arsène Wenger • Carabao Cup • Doncaster Rovers • Football • Sir Alex Ferguson • Sport

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By Barney Ronay on September 18th, 2017

Sead Kolasinac adds missing muscle to Arsenal’s array of skill-gnomes | Barney Ronay

The Bosnian represents an echo of the powerful, hard-running players who characterised Arsène Wenger’s best title-winning teams

One thing you often lose watching a football match on television is the sound levels. Not just the noise of the crowd but the noise of the players, a scale of collision and opposing force that means certain incidents, and indeed the careers of certain players, can have an entirely different register in the flesh.

David Luiz’s red card against Arsenal on Sunday was one such case. Replays and stills will show a raised foot but really this was a red card you had to hear. So profound was the thunk of contact those nearby knew instantly the challenge went beyond necessary force and into the realms of dangerous excess.

Arsenal • Arsène Wenger • Chelsea • Football • Sport

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By Guardian Staff on September 16th, 2017

Antonio Conte and Arsène Wenger speak before Chelsea v Arsenal – video

Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger and Antonio Conte of Chelsea talk about their upcoming Premier League match. Conte begins by sending his thoughts to those affected by the events at Parsons Green before warning his side to pay attention to Arsenal’s quality. Wenger focuses on his team’s recent winning record over the Blues

Álvaro Morata’s fast Chelsea start shows how Arsenal are playing catch-up again

Antonio Conte • Arsenal • Arsène Wenger • Chelsea • Football • Premier League • Sport

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By Jonathan Wilson on September 16th, 2017

Álvaro Morata’s fast Chelsea start shows how Arsenal are playing catch-up again | Jonathan Wilson

The Spanish No9’s instant integration into Chelsea’s forward line only adds to the sense that Arsène Wenger’s Arsenal are a club locked in perpetual transition

In football, there are perhaps two types of crisis. There is the Arsenal type that festers for years until after a decade of stagnation and low-level grumbling you suddenly find all your best players are out of contract and you are battling Everton for sixth place. And there is the Chelsea type that bubbles up from nowhere, threatens to derail everything, and then blows itself out just as suddenly as it arrived.

Whatever was going on at Stamford Bridge in August essentially ceased to affect performances on the pitch as soon as Antonio Conte put on a suit again; the semiotics of a Chelsea manager’s dress sense remain a fertile area of research. The squad still looks a little slender to compete in both Premier League and Champions League, which may lead to problems later in the season, but for now Chelsea look set fair, particularly given Eden Hazard’s return from an ankle injury.

Arsenal • Arsène Wenger • Chelsea • Football • Football tactics • Sport

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By Amy Lawrence on September 15th, 2017

Arsène Wenger searches for formula to end Arsenal’s bad run at Chelsea

• Arsenal have lost their past five matches at Stamford Bridge
• Wenger may revert to back four after switch worked against Cologne

Being questioned about tactics is never Arsène Wenger’s favourite thing. On his list of irritations that must be tolerated as part of the job, it seems to be a high flyer. So in the immediate aftermath of Thursday night’s chaotic Europa League game, with questions flying around about the handling of overcrowding, ticketing, fan behaviour and a kick-off delay, when the Arsenal manager was politely asked about whether he was leaning towards a return to a good old back four after his recent dalliance with a defensive trio, he looked a little irked. It says a lot that he was probably more comfortable dealing with the issue of crowd control than how he wishes to set up his team strategically.

On Sunday Arsenal face another of those worrying away fixtures against top sides that tend to be bring out the vulnerabilities in their make-up. Stamford Bridge has not been the scene for a happy excursion for a while, with five Premier League defeats in a row on Chelsea’s turf (at an aggregate score of 15-2). If Arsenal are to attempt to make sure they can compete with more substance than they managed with their meek trip to Anfield last time they hit the road, the way they set up is important.

Arsenal • Arsène Wenger • Chelsea • Football • Sport

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By Paul MacInnes on September 13th, 2017

Arsène Wenger stresses positives for Jack Wilshere and the Europa League | Paul MacInnes

The Arsenal manager weighs up the ‘hungry and determined’ midfielder as part of a rotation policy for group game against Cologne

Arsène Wenger did not hide from the Champions League on Tuesday night. “Yes I watched‚” he admitted. “I watched a few games and the main game, of course, was Chelsea. After a while I went to Barcelona against Juventus. It raises many questions about the Champions League, the way it is organised now. We will certainly have to think about it.” What issues? Think about what? “We will speak about it another time.”

Such was the way the Arsenal manager teased as he vacated London Colney on Wednesday afternoon. Europe’s premier trophy still transfixes the man who has qualified for the competition on 21 separate occasions. Wenger being Wenger, he also cannot help but suggest that things could be done better. The details, it seems, will have to wait for another time. Until then, Arsenal have other things to think about.

Arsenal • Arsène Wenger • Europa League • European club football • Football • Jack Wilshere • Köln • Sport

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By Paul MacInnes on September 13th, 2017

Arsène Wenger stresses positives for Jack Wilshere and the Europa League | Paul MacInnes

The Arsenal manager weighs up the ‘hungry and determined’ midfielder as part of a rotation policy for group game against Cologne

Arsenal • Arsène Wenger • Europa League • European club football • Football • Jack Wilshere • Köln • Sport

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By Nick Ames on September 10th, 2017

Arsène Wenger says he turned down United as ‘I love the values of this club’

• Arsenal manager says he turned down overtures to replace Alex Ferguson in 2002
• ‘Manchester United is attractive but am I happy here? The answer was yes’

Arsène Wenger says his dedication to Arsenal’s values persuaded him to reject an offer from Manchester United in 2001 and continue his career at the north London club.

High-profile suitors have been many during Wenger’s 21-year tenure but a move to United, who were Arsenal’s primary rivals for the Premier League title during the early part of the century, would have caused shockwaves. That is what Martin Edwards, the United chairman at the time, sought to achieve after Sir Alex Ferguson – in a decision he later reversed – announced that he would retire at the end of the 2001‑02 season but Wenger opted to turn down a proposal that he admits was attractive.

Arsenal • Arsène Wenger • Football • Manchester United • Sport

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By Football | The Guardian on September 09th, 2017

Arsène Wenger praises Arsenal’s attack against Bournemouth – video

Arsène Wenger gives his verdict after Arsenal’s 3-0 victory against visitors Bournemouth at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday. Arsenal forward Alexis Sánchez received a mixed reception from the crowd at the Emirates Stadium when he appeared as a second-half substitute. Wenger said he was happy with the performance after Arsenal’s recent 4-0 loss to Liverpool

Danny Welbeck’s double eases Arsenal angst to see off feeble Bournemouth

Arsenal • Arsène Wenger • Bournemouth • Football • Premier League • Sport

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By David Hytner on September 08th, 2017

Arsène Wenger confident of title challenge despite negativity at Arsenal

• Fans unconvinced by summer transfers even though Alexis Sánchez stayed
• ‘We lost at Liverpool but we can redress the situation very well and quickly’

Arsène Wenger continues to believe Arsenal can challenge for the title despite the negativity around the club and he has called for perspective in the face of the early-season crisis.

Arsenal’s supporters went into meltdown after the 4-0 defeat against Liverpool at Anfield before the international break while they were unconvinced by the club’s summer transfer dealings, even though Alexis Sánchez ended up staying. The forward was close to a £60m move to Manchester City but Arsenal failed to get Monaco’s Thomas Lemar as a replacement, so they held on to Sánchez. Mesut Özil also stayed put in the absence of any compelling offers.

Arsenal • Arsène Wenger • Football • Sport

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By David Hytner on September 07th, 2017

Disillusioned Arsène Wenger calls for end to FFP in major U-turn

• Arsenal manager says rules on spending have become unenforceable
• Wenger suggests financial limits will put off Chinese and US investors

Arsène Wenger has lost faith in one of his guiding principles and called for financial fair play to be scrapped. The Arsenal manager says clubs have found a way to bluff around Uefa’s regulations and it has effectively rendered them unenforceable. He feels that if the Premier League is to “remain the best league in the world” the decision must be taken to revert to no financial limits.

Wenger reflected on a wild summer transfer window in which he suggested that Liverpool had most likely tapped up Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain before taking him from Arsenal for an initial £35m on 31 August. Four days earlier, the midfielder had played for Arsenal in the club’s 4-0 defeat at Anfield. Wenger said he did not know whether Liverpool had spoken to Oxlade-Chamberlain in the hours leading up to kick-off. He hoped they had not.

Arsène Wenger • Business • Finances • Football • Sport

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By Guardian Staff on September 07th, 2017

Arsène Wenger wishes Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain ‘all the best’ – video

Arsène Wenger wishes Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain the best of luck at Liverpool, adding that his departure could allow new talent to come through the ranks. Speaking at his pre-match press conference on Thursday, the Arsenal manager adds he has ‘no doubt’ about Alexis Sánchez’s state of mind, and also calls for perspective after the team’s poor start to the season

Arsène Wenger tells Arsenal legends: you weren’t perfect either

Alexis Sánchez • Arsenal • Arsène Wenger • Football • Premier League • Sport

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By David Hytner on September 07th, 2017

Arsène Wenger tells Arsenal legends: you weren’t perfect either

• They had their weak games and weak behaviours, Arsenal manager says
• Wenger calls for perspective after team’s poor start to the season

Arsène Wenger has appealed for unity at Arsenal before the potentially fraught home game against Bournemouth on Saturday and reminded the club’s legendary former players, who have been vociferous in their criticism, that they were far from perfect during their careers.

Wenger has seen a host of his former players move into the media and, with the club under siege after a tumultuous summer transfer window and a poor start to the Premier League season, the likes of Ian Wright, Thierry Henry, Martin Keown, Lee Dixon and Paul Merson have not held back. Wenger accepts that “every single defeat is a crisis” but he made a pointed call for perspective.

Arsenal • Arsène Wenger • Football • Sport

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By David Hytner on September 06th, 2017

Alexis Sánchez’s outburst hints at more Arsenal headaches for Arsène Wenger | David Hytner

The forward’s outpourings of frustration after Chile’s latest defeats suggest that retaining him is not the coup Arsenal might present it as, yet he remains key to dragging Arsenal out of their current mess

In a little under a week, Alexis Sánchez’s life has been turned upside down. When the Arsenal forward woke up last Thursday, on transfer deadline day, he was assured that he would complete his endlessly trailed move to Manchester City; the one he had wanted and made no secret about pushing for.

It did not happen for a number of reasons, chief among them Arsenal’s failure to close an incoming deal for Monaco’s Thomas Lemar, despite an offer to the French champions of €100m (£92m).

Alexis Sánchez • Arsenal • Arsène Wenger • Football • Sport

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By Guardian sport on September 03rd, 2017

Arsène Wenger confirms Arsenal will revisit move for Thomas Lemar

• Wenger reveals he will bid again for 21-year-old Monaco and France forward
• Lemar ‘decided to stay’ at Ligue 1 club after Arsenal met £92m asking price

Arsène Wenger has said he will revisit his interest in the Monaco forward Thomas Lemar, after confirming Arsenal submitted a late £92m bid for the France international before the transfer deadline on Thursday.

Wenger said Arsenal met Monaco’s €100m (£92m) asking price for the 21-year-old but that Lemar decided against a move away from the Ligue 1 champions. Arsenal made three bids for Lemar earlier in the summer, the biggest being worth €50m, but even the late €100m offer did not get over the line.

Arsenal • Arsène Wenger • Football • Sport

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By Richard Williams on September 01st, 2017

Arsenal’s continuing malaise at the heart of operations | Richard Williams

Arsène Wenger’s consistent failure to purchase leaders and address problems in the middle of the pitch continues to amaze and appal in equal measure

If Brian Clough was displeased with a performance, his players knew about it.

There was an occasion at half-time during a Nottingham Forest match when, unhappy with a couple of failed stepovers and a cross that went behind the goal, he punched the culprit, Nigel Jemson, in the stomach.

Arsenal • Arsène Wenger • Football • Sport

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By Amy Lawrence on August 28th, 2017

Another early season breakdown for Arsenal but no sign of any change | Amy Lawrence

The 4-0 humiliation at Liverpool was one of 20 such examples in the past five years but the club hierarchy and Arsène Wenger seem incapable of initiating the radical changes needed in response

In the thick of Arsenal’s chronic breakdown at Anfield on Sunday, it did not take long for football’s splurging social commentary to begin establishing quite how bad this ranked compared to other abhorrences. How rotten exactly are things in the state of Arsenal? As bad as the 8-2 at Manchester United? Comparable to the season they were dismembered by vicious scorelines at Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea? Worse than an aggregate 10-2 thumping from Bayern Munich? More embarrassing than imploding in fright at home to Swansea or Watford or Aston Villa?

Hereby hangs Arsenal’s sharpest problem. Scanning through the past five years to pick out the performances that were especially awful is instructive. This is not an exercise in recalling the common or garden soft defeats at Stoke or West Brom, but a search for the goriest of horror shows. This involves the type of ordeal to leave observers wondering how much longer, how much worse, how much more intolerable, how many times it is possible to repeat the same mistakes without wanting to smash the place up and sweep everything out to start afresh.

Arsenal • Arsène Wenger • Football • Sport

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By Andy Hunter on August 28th, 2017

Emre Can’s stellar rise shows how Jürgen Klopp is transforming Liverpool | Andy Hunter

German’s performance in the 4-0 win over Arsenal at Anfield proves his manager overshadows Arsène Wenger tactically and with individual development

In the 130-second press conference that followed Arsenal’s latest capitulation at Anfield Arsène Wenger admitted his team were physically, technically and mentally inferior to Liverpool. It was a damning critique no doubt but, had he held court longer, the Arsenal manager could have given a fuller account of Liverpool’s dominance under Jürgen Klopp.

The Liverpool manager tactically outsmarted Wenger in taking his Premier League record against Arsenal to 10 points from a possible 12. Not that Klopp’s three-man midfield and three-pronged attack should have come as any surprise to the Arsenal manager after selecting Aaron Ramsey and Granit Xhaka as his supposed midfield shield.

Arsenal • Arsène Wenger • Football • Jürgen Klopp • Liverpool • Sport

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