Wenger - Football is about quality, not race

arsene wenger

By Chris Harris

Arsène Wenger believes that quality, not race, is all that should matter in football.

The Arsenal manager's homeland has been hit by controversy this week after Les Bleus' coach Laurent Blanc allegedly expressed support for a quota on the number of dual-nationality players at France's youth academies.

The World Cup-winning centre back is now under investigation and Wenger admits that Blanc's reported remarks came as a surprise to him. The 61-year-old is a long-time opponent of quotas and spoke out again ahead of Sunday's trip to Stoke.

"I feel your national football has to be identified by the culture of the football and the quality of your education, not by where people come from," said Wenger.

"It is on line with what I said before, that no matter where you come from if you are good enough you play. That’s why it is so important that politics is not involved in that. The quota system is an open door to mediocrity and doesn’t reward quality. We have one advantage in sport, it’s only down to quality.

"I was surprised by his comments but I know Laurent Blanc well," added Wenger. "At the start, it was a technical debate that has turned the wrong way and that they should have kicked out straight away.

"They were thinking that we want to educate our players better at 10 to 12 years of age and then one of the issues was bi-nationality. In France, we have many immigrants so many of them are Moroccan and French, Algerian and French. Many of them choose to play for their country because they have no real hope to play for France. Nasri plays for France, Zidane played for France, Desailly too.

"For many years, when we could not change more nationalities we blocked them early. Give him a national cap early for the Under-18s and then he cannot play for his country any more. On that front, we are not completely clean. So we cannot complain today that people go when they have no chance to play for France.

"I find it good that they play for their country. If they can improve the quality of the game in their country then that is good."

Despite the row enveloping his home country, Wenger insists that race is not a serious problem in France.

"I personally believe that France is not a racist country at all," he said. "The preferred personality in France is Yannick Noah. The captain of the French national team is Alou Diarra.

"I believe the racism issue that has been raised is wrong because France is not a racist country. But the least you can say is that the discussion at the FFF was clumsy and should not have existed at all."

source : arsenal.com

ARSENAL CLUB PROFILE

OVERVIEW Arsenal may have been off the pace in the inaugural Premier League season in 1992/93, but they made up for it by winning both the FA and League Cups.  The Premier League crown eluded them until 1998 - two years into manager Arsene Wenger's tenure - when they did the league and FA Cup double. Under the Frenchman, the Gunners shook off their "boring" image and began to play some of the most attractive football in England. In eight of his 14 seasons at the club, Arsenal have finished first or second. And together with star players such as Thierry Henry, Patrick Vieira and Dennis Bergkamp, Wenger took Arsenal to another "double" in 2002. The Gunners reached the Champions' League final in 2006, becoming the first London team to do so, but lost to Barcelona. Their Barclaycard Premiership title in 2003/04 saw them become only the second team to win the league without losing a match - earning them the title "The Invincibles." Overall they went 49 matches unbeaten, which is a national record. CLUB HERITAGE In 1886, a group of workers at the Woolwich Arsenal Armament Factory formed a team called Dial Square, renaming themselves to Royal Arsenal shortly afterwards. The team turned professional in 1891 and changed its name again to Woolwich Arsenal, eventually dropping the prefix completely in 1913 when they moved to Highbury. The Gunners joined the Second Division in 1893 and were promoted in 1904. Success eluded them until the arrival of Herbert Chapman in 1925 when they won the league five times between 1930 and 1938 and the FA Cup twice. Chapman, who died in 1934, was also behind the renaming of the nearest London Underground station to Arsenal. Arsenal had to wait until the 1970s for their next period of success. But their first double in 1971 was followed by several near-misses - finishing second in 1972, and losing three FA Cup finals and the 1980 European Cup Winners' Cup final. It was not until the return of ex-player George Graham as manager that the club rose to greatness again - winning six trophies during his nine-year reign. That included League Cup success in 1987 and 1993, the FA Cup in 1993, the league title in 1989 and 1991 and European Cup Winners' Cup in 1994. Arsenal hold the enviable record of the most consecutive seasons in the top flight - 91 at present. PREMIER LEAGUE HISTORY 1992/93 - Win the FA Cup and League Cup double 1993/94 - Win the European Cup Winners' Cup 1994/95 - George Graham sacked. Stewart Houston becomes caretaker. Lose the Cup Winners' Cup final to Real Zaragoza 1995/96 - Bruce Rioch takes charge for one season before resigning 1996/97 - Arsène Wenger becomes manager. Signs Nicolas Anelka and Patrick Vieira 1997/98 - Win the FA Carling Premiership and FA Cup double 1999/00 - Sign Thierry Henry. Lose the UEFA Cup final on penalties to Galatasaray 2000/01 - Break club record transfer signing Sylvain Wiltord for reported £13m 2001/02 - Win the Barclaycard Premiership and FA Cup double 2003/04 - Win the Barclaycard Premiership without losing a match 2005/06 - Last season at Highbury. Lose the Champions' League final to Barcelona 2006/07 - Move to Emirates Stadium credit : www.premierleague.com

Wenger - It will do Ramsey good to go back

By Chris Harris

Arsène Wenger believes it will do Aaron Ramseygood to return to the scene of his "car accident" on Sunday.

The Wales midfielder will line up at Stoke City, 15 months after he left the Britannia Stadium in an ambulance after breaking his leg.

Ramsey's return to Stoke will take up plenty of column inches ahead of this weekend's Premier League clash but Wenger thinks that the 20-year-old can use the opportunity to 'get back behind the wheel' and complete his mental rehabilitation.

"Yes [it is good for him to go back and] the earlier the better because there will always be a question mark about that," said Wenger.

"At the end of the day you focus on football and you play. It is like if you have a car accident - you do you never drive again? Of course you drive again and the earlier the better."

Ramsey's return has been slow but sure. He made his comeback for the Reserves before Christmas and then built up his sharpness with loan spells at Nottingham Forest and former club Cardiff City in the Championship. He got his first taste of Arsenal first-team football for 13 months when he came off the bench against Manchester United at Old Trafford in March and then scored the winner against the same opponents in an eye-catching display last weekend.

For Wenger, that was proof that Ramsey has overcome the physical and psychological hurdles of his injury.

“What I found when I was injured is you come back and for a long time you play in one gear," he said.

"It takes you a bit of time to find that fraction of second extra pace which allows you to get away from people. And for a while you wonder if you have lost it and whether it will ever come back. And that takes quite a while.

"Today the players are better prepared in their rehab than we were and they find that back much quicker.

“Aaron is a quiet but strong character and I think there is no better maturing system than what happened to him – blocked at 18 suddenly when you are just flying. Being knocked down and having to wait for a year, not knowing what really will happen.”

“He is certainly mentally stronger now. After what happened to him you have to be strong."

This Sunday Ramsey will play for the second game in succession, with Cesc Fabregas still nursing a thigh problem. But Wenger can see them in tandem when both are fit and firing.

"Aaron is a great runner and has great timing to get into the box," said the manager. "He is an efficient player and I think they are a good combination together - Cesc and him.”

credit : arsenal.com

Wenger - We might lose Jack until September

jack wilshere

By Chris Harris

Arsène Wenger fears that Jack Wilshere's summer workload might keep him out of the Arsenal side until September.

The 19-year-old has been named in the provisional England Under-21 squad for the European Championships in June and is expected to feature when the senior side take on Switzerland in a vital Euro 2012 qualifier that same month.

Those commitments could take Wilshere up to 60 games since he broke into the England and Arsenal teams last August and Wenger will not risk rushing him back for the start of the new Premier League season.

"I said that from the start," said the Frenchman. "I know that Jack continues to play, but he has hit the wall a little bit. We know that from our own statistics.

"No matter what happens I have to give him at least four weeks' holiday. The [Under-21] tournament finishes at the end of June so he won't come back until the end of July. That means he will not be ready to play at the start of August or maybe at the beginning of September."

Wenger has repeatedly said that he will not stand in the way of Wilshere's England ambitions but he must wait and see whether England boss Fabio Capello heeds his warning that Wilshere risks burnout a year ahead of a significantly bigger tournament - Euro 2012.

"It looks like I'm fighting against it but I just warn what I see," said Wenger.

"I'm the happiest man if Wilshere plays for England against Wales, so I don't want to be seen as a manager who does not want his players to play for their country.

"I hope he has a great Euro Championships but the second season is always more difficult than the first. And on top of that he may not be having a good rest. If he goes to the Under-21s I will have to give him a long rest.

"Indirectly it is [Capello's issue] because he will use the player at the beginning of the season like I will. I will talk to him of course but the FA have to make up their mind."

Frimpong eyes breakthrough

Emmanouel Frimpong

Midfielder Emmanuel Frimpong is hoping next season can be an improvement on this year for both himself and Arsenal

The 19-year-old was hoping to be involved during the current campaign after featuring in the Gunners' pre-season before a serious knee injury in training ruled him out until his return to the reserves in April.

The Ghanaian-born player admits he endured a difficult period, at times fearing he may be left behind and even questioning whether he would ever return.

At the same time Frimpong watched from the sidelines as the Gunners lost the Carling Cup final and then tumbled out of contention in the Barclays Premier League, FA Cup and the Champions League.

Frimpong told the official club website: "Next season could be Arsenal's season and next season could hopefully be my season.

"I am quite confident if I don't get injured I can do something big.

"You have to stay injury free, sometimes it is just down to bad luck. Hopefully next season I'll have a good year and won't get injured."

While Arsenal visit Stoke City on Sunday, the match is followed by the clash between Manchester United and Chelsea.

Frimpong admits that although the Gunners have a small glimmer of hope, the title is likely to end up at either Old Trafford or Stamford Bridge.

WAITING AROUND

"There is hope but if you have to be honest you have to think either Manchester United or Chelsea are going to win it," he said.

"There is still hope, I'm sure the players aren't going to go on to the pitch and think they are just going to play for second or third, they are still going to fight to the end. That is what the manager has been saying.

"Most people did think Arsenal would win something this year but that's football, you can never rest on your laurels."

As for his own travails since August, Frimpong admits to having had self-doubts.

"At the start it was very tough because sometimes I thought I might not even come back and play again so hard when you see players going out and training, you don't know what to do with yourself.

"It was tough and hard to get over it."

He added: "When you've been injured for so long the club isn't going to be waiting around for you to get fit.

"They have to move on. That's where sometimes it was tough because people are looking to take over your place even though they are old friends.

"Everyone is here just for their own career so when you are back training you just have to put in your whole effort and see how things pan out."

source : www.arsenal.com

Ramsey set for Stoke battle

ramsey

Arsene Wenger is hoping for a 'clean' game against Stoke in a rematch of the clash that left midfielder Aaron Ramsey with a broken leg.

Ramsey spent nine months on the sidelines after a Ryan Shawcross tackle last season and has only recently returned to Arsenal's starting line-up and his fourth appearance for the club this season will be against the man almost ended the 20-year-old's career.

"I said many times that only Aaron can forgive Shawcross," Wenger said.

"He has been hurt and I don't think that a debate is needed before the game. I believe Aaron is 20 years old, he has a long career in front of him, so the earlier the plays in Stoke the better it is."

"The only thing that is important is to focus, to play well and win the game."

"We cannot want to have a clean game and prepare football games like that."

Ramsey scored the only goal in Arsenal's win against Manchester United last week and will continue to deputise for the injured Cesc Fabregas who has a thigh problem.

Long-term absentee Thomas Vermaelen is fit again after recovering from an Achilles' tendon injury.

Alongside the Welshman is likely to be Jack Wilshere whose recent inclusion in the provisional squad to play for England in the Under-21 European Championships in the summer has angered his club manager.

"I personally believe it does not have to be Jack Wilshere's decision. It is the FA's decision because only they can make this decision and they have to act in a responsible way," Wenger said.

"You cannot ask Jack if he wants to play - do you really think he will say no? I don't think that's realistic."

"I will ask Fabio Capello to consider the consequences of a boy who is 19 years old who has played around 50 games at the end of the season, who has played for the first team and then a tournament on the back of it."

Central defender Johan Djourou will undergo a fitness test to assess his ankle and Abou Diaby is struggling with a calf problem. Gael Clicky could also miss out with a hamstring complaint.

ramsey broke leg against stoke city 2010

Premier League preview: Stoke City v Arsenal

Stoke City could be excused for not taking Sunday's home game with Arsenal as seriously as most Premier League matches this season.

After all, the Potters will be six days from the club's most important match in their history - their first FA Cup final appearance.

Stoke's date with Manchester City at Wembley next Saturday will surely be preying on the minds of Tony Pulis' men as they tackle an Arsenal side with plenty of end-of-season motivation.

Stoke, in 10th place, have little to play for in their remaining three league fixtures except pride.

After Arsenal, they can exact revenge (or better still, rub salt in the wounds) when they play City at Eastlands two days after the Wembley showdown.

They then finish their season at the Brittania Stadium against Wigan Athletic on May 22.

The possibility of playing in a major European competition for the first time since 1974 will certainly be at the back (or front) of Stoke's minds on Sunday against the Gunners.

But Arsenal will still have to be wary of City, especially up front where Kenwyne Jones and Jon Walters have formed a strong partnership.

Walters and Jones are the club's joint leading goalscorers this season with 11.

The pair have scored eight goals between them in City's last seven games to help the forward line through an injury-hit spell.

Ricardo Fuller is out for the season after rupturing his Achilles at Aston Villa a fortnight ago.

And Jon Carew only returned to action at Blackpool last weekend after being on the sidelines for seven weeks with a back problem.

Carew's return gives manager Tony Pulis a welcome option up front, particularly as Matthew Etherington is in doubt with a hamstring injury.

Arsenal, in third place, six points adrift of Manchester United and three behind Chelsea, would have been buoyed by their 1-0 home win over the league leaders last Sunday.

With a Champions League spot guaranteed next season, Arsene Wenger's side may also have their foot off the pedal, but it's unlikely the Frenchman will be encouraging a lacklustre performance.

After a series of draws in their recent 16-match unbeaten run, the Gunners will be aiming to cement third place and quash any late rush by Manchester City.

Aaron Ramsey, Arsenal's goalscoring hero against United last Sunday, is in line to start at the scene of his worst nightmare.

The 20-year-old midfielder suffered a horrific double leg fracture in a challenge with Ryan Shawcross, the Stoke captain, on 27 February last year that put him out of action for nine months.

It will be the first time Ramsey has played against Shawcross and Stoke since the fateful game but not the first time that the defender has played against Arsenal.

He was barracked by the Emirates crowd during his team's 1-0 defeat on February 23.

"I got booed and abused when I went there and it didn't really affect my game," Shawcross said.

"If anything, it spurred me on to play better. I'm sure I'll get more of the same this time but I'll be able to deal with it."

"Our fans and players love putting one over on Arsenal."

"There's a bit of rivalry there because of past games and the fans will be as loud as they always are when Arsenal come to the Britannia."

Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas has already been ruled out, but Thomas Vermaelen could start his first match since August 28, following a long-running absence caused by an achilles problem.

Abou Diaby, the midfielder, continues to struggle with the calf issue that he suffered at Tottenham Hotspur on April 20.