Tag Archives: Wenger

End-game looms for Wenger

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They say it never rains but pours and for Arsene Wenger a deluge of questions await should a worrying start to the new season be compounded by an early exit from the Champions League on Wednesday.

A 2-0 home defeat by top-four rivals and new-look Liverpool on Saturday means the north Londoners remain without a win from their opening two games of the domestic season and Wenger is charged with the task of galvanising an inexperienced squad for a difficult assignment against Udinese in north-east Italy.

Confirmation on Monday that the Frenchman has received a two-match ban from Uefa for breaching the terms of a previous Champions League suspension means his involvement at Stadio Communale Friuli may be limited. This, coupled with a host of injury problems, makes for worrying times for Gunners fans.

The loss of captain and talisman Cesc Fabregas has blunted Arsenal as an attacking unit and principal striker Robin van Persie is in desperate need of support – not helped by yet more conjecture about the future of Samir Nasri.

Arsenal were fortunate to secure a 1-0 first-leg win on home soil and their wretched away form in Europe – just one win in eight games – suggests they have to be opposed and Bianconeri could be the bet at 9/4 To Qualify.

The Serie A side have lost only twice at home in the league since the turn of the year – and four in total all last season – and also kept six clean sheets among their 11 wins.

Arsenal will have the edge in terms of match sharpness given that the Italian season does not start until this weekend but a lack of teeth in the final third is as tangible as it is worrying for seasoned Arsenal followers fearing a horror start to the new campaign.

A Udinese team short of competitive games against a nervous and immature Arsenal side makes for a difficult fixture to pin down in terms of a betting proposition, but the 5/2 for Total Goals (1 or less) in the 90 minutes appeals given that punters have both teams running for them.

Udinese only managed to score more than two goals on three occasions in Serie A at home all last season and the enormity of the fixture means the 5/6 for Under 2.5 goals looks decent.

Wenger, who had the look of a condemned man at the final whistle on Saturday, was adamant in his assessment that his players will turn the corner and that he will not walk away from the club.

“I don’t feel it is all doom and gloom. I feel there are also positives,” he added.

After Wednesday, next up for Arsenal is the small matter is a trip to Old Trafford to take on 6/4 Premier League title favourites and reigning champions Manchester United.

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Wenger confident stars will stay

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Bet on the Premier LeagueArsene Wenger put on a very public face on Monday to reiterate his desire to keep Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas at Arsenal – but the truth of the matter rests with the players (1/2 Arsenal – Premier League Top 4 Finish).

Spanish and European champions Barcelona have made no secret of their desire to return homegrown talent Fabregas to Camp Nou, perhaps acutely aware that midfield superstar Xavi is now the wrong side of 30, and Arsenal’s Premier League title rivals have been busy forming a queue to sign Nasri.

The Frenchman used his first press conference ahead of the new season to dismiss suggestions he and Nasri were certain to leave in what promises to be a fascinating close-season at the Emirates (7/1 Arsenal – Premier League outright).

“Our position is always the same – we want to keep Cesc and I will fight as hard as I can to keep him. Samir Nasri is exactly the same. We will do everything we can to keep him,” said Wenger. “I’m confident we can get both of them to stay.”

The situation is clear with Nasri in so much as he has just 12 months left on his contract and conjecture about any player’s future at such a juncture is inevitable.

It was telling and curious that Wenger intimated only Nasri knows whether he will put pen to paper.

Asked about his countryman, Wenger added: “Will he be at the club next season? I say yes. The second part (of the question) – will he sign a new contract? I hope yes, but I am not the only one to decide.”

A disparity in the clubs’ respective valuations of 24-year-old Fabregas has stopped  his move back to his place of birth and so the wait goes on, but it is fair to suggest something has to give if the World Cup winner has decided home is really where his heart is.

Wenger has also confirmed the signing of the Ivory Coast forward Gervinho from Lille and revealed Nicklas Bendtner and Manuel Almunia have not travelled to the Far East because they are in talks with other clubs about leaving Arsenal.

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Wenger desperate to end drought

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Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has sent a clear message to his Gunners stars – go for everything this season (Arsenal 11/2 to win the Premier League).

The Emirates side have not managed to pick up any silverware for five-years and Wenger is desperate for his side to end their trophy drought.

Arsenal take on Newcastle in the Carling Cup at St James’ Park tonight and Wenger has insisted the competition is an important one.

In previous seasons the Frenchman has allowed his younger players the chance to impress in the Carling Cup, but Wenger has now admitted he sees the Carling Cup as a great opportunity to end their barren run (Arsenal 3/1 to win the Carling Cup).

The Premier League and Champions League have been Arsenal’s priorities over the last few years, with both domestic cup competitions used as opportunities to hand chances to his fringe players, but Wenger admits that may not be the case this season.

“I said to the players we will go for everything we can, as simple as that,” revealed the Arsenal boss.

“And not really specifying one more than the other one that’s why I believe we are on a good run and we want to keep that going.

“It’s important to keep it moving no matter what competition it is. That’s what we want to do.”

Arsenal’s 3-0 victory over Manchester City at Eastlands on Sunday has led many pundits to suggest the north London outfit could mount a serious title challenge this season.  The Gunners have also enjoyed a fantastic start to their Champions League campaign and top the Group H table with nine points from three games, scoring 14 goals in the process.

Wenger believes this season could be a successful one for his Arsenal side and has called upon his squad to fight for every trophy they can.

He added: “We are doing well in the Champions League and we have done well so far in the Carling Cup and we are back on track in the championship so it’s just all movement.

“I believe we have a squad good enough to go forward with trophies, that’s why I think: ‘OK let’s go as far as we can’. If needed we can still always choose later but at the moment it is important for everybody to think we go for everything we can.”

Wenger is expected to name a virtually full strength starting XI when Arsenal take on Newcastle later this evening.  The north east side saw off Chelsea in the last round and boss Chris Hughton may hand his youth and fringe players the chance to shine against Arsenal after their exploits against the league leaders in their last Carling Cup fixture (Match Betting – Newcastle 3/1, draw 11/4, Arsenal 5/6).

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Wenger seeks Arsenal belief

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Arsene Wenger hopes the 3-0 win at Manchester City will give Arsenal (11/2 Premier League Outright) the belief they need to go on and win the Premier League title.

The Gunners showed their title credentials with a strong performance at Eastlands, with goals from Samir Nasri, Alex Song and Nicklas Bendtner.

Although City were down to ten men after just five minutes, following the dismissal of Dedryck Boyata, Wenger was delighted with the way his side took full advantage.

The Frenchman said: “It was important to us to get a win in a big place to strengthen belief and continue our march forward. I think collectively we completely dominated the game.”

The Gunners (1/7 Top Four Finish) have moved up to second in the table, five points behind leaders Chelsea, who are one of two teams to beat Arsenal this season.

One major plus in recent weeks has been the performances of Lukasz Fabianski, following the Gunners’ early-season goalkeeping issues.

The Polish international kept an impressive clean sheet and has conceded just two goals in three games – during which time Arsenal have scored ten.

Fabianski will have to battle to keep his place when Manuel Almunia returns to full fitness, but Wenger is pleased with the form of the 25-year-old.

The manager stated: “From game to game, he shows what we see in training. Sometimes in our job you have to be steady and fight against opinions.

“It is easier when you know a player has the talent and I believe he has the talent.”

Wenger has been known to blood the Gunners’ youngsters in the Carling Cup (Newcastle 14/5, Draw 13/5, Arsenal 10/11 – Match Betting) , but has indicated that he will send a strong side to Newcastle on Wednesday.

England international Theo Walcott is expected to start at St James’ Park, while Nicklas Bendtner could start after scoring as a substitute at Eastlands having recovered from injury.

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Wenger focused for Shakhtar test

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Arsenal (4/6 favourites in the match betting) boss Arsene Wenger believes Tuesday night’s Champions League clash against Shakhtar Donetsk (4/1 to win, 14/5 the draw) will decide which side will top the group.

Both sides have won their opening two fixtures in Group H (Arsenal 1/4 to win the group, Shakhtar Donetsk 5/2) but the Gunners currently sit at the top of the standings as they have a superior goal difference.

However, Shakhtar have taken their six points without conceding a goal and have also won 15 of their 17 games domestically to give the players confidence going into the match.

Wenger is fully aware of the threat posed by the Ukrainians and insists that only a ‘great’ performance will earn his side the key win.

“In this group until now you had 12 points at stake – six went to Shakhtar, six went to Arsenal. That means what is at stake is the qualifying and also the top of the group, which is why it is a very important game,” he said.

“It is a key game because it gives us an opportunity to basically think we have qualified.

“Shakhtar are on a good winning run, they are dominating their league, they have just won 3-0 at Braga.

“We are on our toes. We know that only a great performance will win us the game.”

Laurent Koscielny, Robin van Persie, Bacary Sagna, Thomas Vermaelen and Aaron Ramsey are all absent for the Gunners but captain Cesc Fabregas has recovered from his hamstring problem and may make his return to the line-up.

Nicklas Bendtner and Theo Walcott have also recovered from their respective groin and ankle problems, while Manuel Almunia and Kieran Gibbs are close to full fitness.

Meanwhile, Shakhtar boss Mircea Lucescu insists that his side will be able to cause plenty of problems at the Emirates and will not just be making up the numbers.

“We have two games, one here and another in two weeks. We know they’re very powerful at home but can have difficulties away,” Lucescu said.

“Shakhtar are also a very good team and we are here to get a result.

“They will control the game for sure, it’s normal because they’re at home and they have many creative players. We have to be organised and cause them difficulties on the counter-attack.

“It’s difficult to say we’re here to play an attacking game because it depends on Arsenal, what with them being at home, but we can create big problems for them.”

Shakhtar will definitely be without Brazilian playmaker Fernandinho, who is out long-term after suffering a broken leg.

However, Ukraine defenders Dmytro Chygrynskiy (hamstring) and Yaroslav Rakytskiy (knee) returned for Friday’s 2-0 win at Metalurh Donetsk, while attacking midfielder Douglas Costa has also been included in the squad.

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Wenger unsure over Fabregas return

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Arsene Wenger says Cesc Fabregas is now fully fit again but the Gunners boss may not risk the Spanish ace against Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League on Tuesday (Arsenal 4/6, Shakhtar 4/1, the draw 14/5).

The Arsenal skipper has not played since he picked up a hamstring injury in the 1-1 draw at Sunderland last month but has been making good progress in training and could play if required this week.

However, Wenger is keen to protect Fabregas and has hinted he may decide against playing the midfielder against their opponents from Ukraine, with Sunday’s trip to title rivals Manchester City in mind (Arsenal 15/2, City 11/2 – Premier League Outright).

“Cesc is available. He is good and has prepared well. He had a little setback but got over the hurdle and is ready to play at full fitness,” said Wenger.

“I do not know yet whether I start him or not but he is available. It will be (determined by) whether I take a gamble or not, because he has been out for a long time.

“I have to make up my mind but physically he is ready, fit and wanting to play.”

Theo Walcott, meanwhile, picked up a minor knock in training but is expected to be fit to face Shakhtar but Laurent Koscielny, Thomas Vermaelen, Robin van Persie and Manuel Almunia are all definitely ruled out of the game.

Arsenal will be hoping to make it three wins out of three in their Champions League group matches on Tuesday following victories so far over Braga and Partizan (Arsenal 10/1 – Champions League Outright).

Wenger is expected to make at least two changes from the side that beat Birmingham 2-1 on Saturday but youngster Jack Wilshere is tipped to start despite his sending off late on at the weekend.

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Wenger targets ‘big’ victories

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Arsenal manager Arsene WengerArsene Wenger believes it is paramount for Arsenal to beat the teams challenging for the title as he prepares his side to face Chelsea on Sunday (Arsenal 19/5 to beat Chelsea).

The Gunners are desperate for some sort of silverware this term, having not picked up a trophy since doing the double in the 2004-05 season, and they face their toughest test of the campaign to date with a trip to Stamford Bridge (Arsenal 7/1 to win FA Cup).

The north Londoners have enjoyed a good start to the season but are already four points behind league-leading Chelsea after a shock 3-2 defeat to West Brom last weekend.

The Blues are tipped to win the Premier League this season, with Manchester United as their nearest challengers, but Wenger maintains that his young side can have a say in proceedings.

Arsenal failed to take a point off both Chelsea and United last season and the French tactician believes that the only way to win the Premier League is by beating the biggest teams around.

“The only team I have seen win the Premier League without winning the big games is Manchester United,” he said. “It is vitally important to win the big games.”

And Wenger is glad that he will take his side to Stamford Bridge with Carlo Ancelotti’s men having been brought down to earth with defeat to Manchester City last weekend.

“It is easier to play Chelsea on Sunday when they have lost two games than two weeks ago, that is for sure,” he added. “Every defeat makes you just a fraction smaller.”

The Emirates club began the season with a creditable draw against Liverpool before three straight victories against Blackpool, Blackburn and Bolton.

Sunderland managed to hold Wenger’s men to a draw at the Stadium of Light but it was the defeat to the Baggies last time out that sent shockwaves through the Premier League as the west Midlanders were 3-0 up at one stage.

The Gunners will have to do without captain Cesc Fabregas, centre-half Thomas Vermaelen, keeper Manuel Almunia and forwards Theo Walcott and Robin van Persie for the daunting clash in west London.

Didier Drogba is enjoying another superb season for Chelsea (Drogba 7/2 to be first goalscorer) and he will be hoping to keep up his good form on Sunday but Wenger does not believes that his men should concentrate all their efforts on stopping the African star, as Chelsea have so many options going forward.

“I feel we should not make an obsession of one player of Chelsea because they have a few players who can score goals against us,” he added. “What is important is that we have the ball, that we dominate the game and that we are efficient defensively.”

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Wenger lauds ‘faultless’ Fabianksi

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Arsenal (10/1 in the Champions League Outright betting) maintained their 100 per cent start to their Champions League campaign with a 3-1 win against 10-man Partizan Belgrade and Arsene Wenger singled out the often-derided Lukasz Fabianksi for a ‘faultless’ performance.

The Gunners, who made six changes from the side beaten by West Brom in the Premier League on Saturday, took control through goals from Andrey Arshavin, Marouane Chamakh and Sebastien Squillaci, but Fabianski saved a penalty from Cleo, who had earlier equalised from the spot, to prevent a frantic finish.

The Poland international, recalled because of an injury to Manuel Almunia, also made a number of other good saves and earned the accolades from his boss.

“Fabianski had a good game, we have seen the player tonight who we see in training. He had a faultless game,” Wenger said.

“I know it is in him. He got it out in the game tonight and hopefully that will give him the belief and confidence he needs.

“I am confident he will come out as a great ‘keeper, I have always said that.

“We have to keep confidence in him and he needs to gain experience from games like this.”

Arsenal’s win on the back of the 6-0 thrashing of Braga means they now top Group H on goal difference, with Shakhtar Donetsk also making it two wins out of two with a 3-0 win in Portugal.

Attention for the Gunners now turns to a top-of-the-table clash with Chelsea on Sunday at Stamford Bridge, and Wenger believes an immediate recovery from the disappointment of the home defeat to the Baggies has restored confidence to the players as they look to close the gap on the league leaders.

“For us it was important to win straight away after a big disappointment against West Brom,” Wenger added.

“It puts us in a good position confidence-wise, Sunday is a big, big game for us.

“I believe we will go there with a desire to do extremely well.”

Despite Fabianksi’s performance against the Serbians on Tuesday night, Wenger has refused to confirm that the 25-year-old will start against Chelsea (8/11 favourites in the match betting) – who ended their two-match losing streak with a 2-0 win over Marseille.

The French tactician, who did intimate that captain Cesc Fabregas may return, said of the goalkeeping situation: “At the moment Almunia is injured, we will have to see how his injury goes but at the moment it is too early to say.”

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Wenger a ‘nutter’ – Redknapp

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Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp believes Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger now acts like a ‘nutter’ on the touchline after 14 years in the Premiership (Arsenal 1/5 to beat West Brom).

The Gunners boss accepted an FA charge of improper conduct and was fined £8,000 for confronting fourth official Martin Atkinson after Arsenal’s 1-1 draw against Sunderland last weekend.

He was fuming at officials after they permitted play to run over the allotted four minutes of added time, allowing Darren Bent to grab Sunderland’s equaliser.

The 60-year-old’s touchline demeanour has changed dramatically since he breezed serenely into English football in the mid-1990s with the reputation as a thinker and not a screamer.

Wenger now cuts an agitated figure at Premiership grounds around the country, giving off the impression that the world is against him and his team.

Redknapp has always enjoyed a good relationship with Wenger and joked that more then a decade in the English top-flight had dramatically altered Wenger’s character.

“When Arsene first came to England I remember reading articles and they said that he was like a professor watching the game,” he said.

“All the other nutters were jumping up and down shouting and screaming, hollering and hooting – and this man is not like those idiots.

“He just sits there and is studying every move that goes on the pitch like chess. They didn’t lose a game all season.

“Now he has joined the nutters, you know. In fact, he is one of the key nutters. That is the tension that you are under. It has affected him now.”

The pressure on Wenger to succeed increases every season that Arsenal fail to land any silverware, with the Premiership title eluding them since the 2003-2004 campaign, while it has been five years since they have claimed the FA Cup (Arsenal 11/2 to win Premiership).

The Emirates outfit have enjoyed a solid start to the season, with 11 points from five matches, but they are already four behind league-leading Chelsea, who travel to Eastlands today to try and keep up their 100 per cent record in the Premiership against Manchester City.

City boss Roberto Mancini has already conceded the title to Chelsea after just five matches, saying on Friday that he is sure the Blues will claim the trophy this season.

Wenger is known to be the eternal optimist and will never concede that Arsenal cannot win the title until it is mathematically impossible – one trait that has not diminished after such a  long time managing in the pressure-cooker atmosphere of the English top flight.

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Big Sam makes Wenger comparison

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Blackburn manager Sam AllardyceBlackburn boss Sam Allardyce believes that Arsenal (9/2 to win the 2010-11 Premier League) boss Arsene Wenger is no more ‘advanced’ a coach than he is.

The Rovers manager’s comments come just days after he claimed that he could comfortably manage Spanish giants Real Madrid.

Allardyce and Wenger have had a history of tension with the Frenchman accusing players at the Ewood Park club of being over physical.

Wenger’s disapproval of Allardyce’s style of play has continued since the Rovers boss was at Bolton Wanderers who were somewhat of a bogie team for the Gunners.

The English manager has continued to spat between the two experienced coaches, stating that he has not been represented well in the media.

Allardyce said: “There is a problem with perception. Arsene is seen as a sophisticated Frenchman while I’m just a rugged English centre-half from the Midlands with an accent to match, but is Arsene more advanced than me in terms of coaching? Not a chance.

“Does he use live fitness data on his players during games? Does he study sports psychology every day? Does he use sports science to the extent that I do? I doubt it,” he added.

Arsenal and Blackburn (8/1 to be relegated from the Premier League) have already met in the Premier League this season at Ewood Park where the Gunners proved to be too strong for the home side, running out 2-1 winners thanks to goals from Theo Walcott and Andrey Arshavin.

This was a fixture that in the past Arsenal have failed to pick up maximum points from thanks to direct style of play from Rovers, which the North London club have found difficult to cope with.

Allardyce has declared though that he does have respect for Wenger for the way he has managed Arsenal since he took over in 1996.

He said: “None of all this affects my view of Wenger. I have total respect for the way he changed his philosophy in recent years when the £400million move to the Emirates Stadium reduced his spending power in the transfer market.

“He hasn’t won trophies yet with his current crop but he has stuck to his guns by insisting that nothing will prevent the development of his young players.”

“Arsenal play some wonderful football but what makes the Premier League interesting is the difference in styles between teams,” he added.

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