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Wenger heaps praise on boy wonder
By Michael Hart, Evening Standard Last updated at 00:00am on 22.10.04Arsene Wenger today admitted that Wayne Rooney would add a fresh dimension to Sunday's heavyweight Premiership clash.
Rooney, 19 on Sunday, announced his arrival as a potential world-class striker when he scored the stunning goal for Everton that ended Arsenal's 30-match unbeaten run two years ago.
"He gives us something else to think about," said Wenger. "He's a young player with remarkable physical and creative power. He has belief and determination and the physical ability to achieve what he sets out to do." Wenger also revealed his admiration for the outstanding group of young players that emerged at Old Trafford more than a decade ago. "They had a fantastic generation with Giggs, Scholes, Beckham, Butt and the Neville brothers," he said. "To have players like that emerge at the same time is a real blessing for a club. We'd like the same at this club one day."
Wenger's generous appraisal of United's new £27million striker, plus his acknowledgement of their successful youth policy, may help defuse some of the tension in the build-up to what is invariably a bitterly contested match.
Last season Patrick Vieira was sent off at Old Trafford and Ruud van Nistelrooy was accused of overreacting to the challenge that led to his dismissal. Van Nistelrooy missed a penalty and, as a result of the fracas at the end of the match, Arsenal were fined £175,000, five players were fined and four suspended.
Sir Alex Ferguson complained that the FA had been too lenient on Arsenal. "I don't think that what happened last season will have much relevance on Sunday," said Wenger.
"Yes, it's a big game but the focus, certainly from our point of view, will be on ensuring we play to the peak of our potential. We won't waste time thinking about what happened last year."
Ferguson has been sniping at Arsenal but Wenger added: "I don't feel our relationship is bad. It's a constant rivalry that I find quite healthy as long as it remains in football.
"There's nothing personal between Alex and me. We both want to win games, that's all."
Wenger also added fresh backing to Jens Lehmann after his blunder in the 2-2 draw against Panathinaikos: "He did not have the best game of his career but I feel one or two mistakes a season is part of being a goalkeeper."
