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I don’t want players telling me who to sign, says Arsene Wenger
Simon Johnson8 May 2009
Arsene Wenger has warned his Arsenal stars to focus on their performance rather than urging the club to sign new players.
Emmanuel Adebayor and Manuel Almunia have both hinted that the Gunners need to be active in the summer transfer market after their Champions League defeat to Manchester United on Tuesday.
But Wenger insists there is no crisis at Emirates Stadium and believes his squad must concentrate on delivering results on the pitch, starting with Sunday's visit of Chelsea.
He said: “I believe I have to distance myself from the statements of the players. They are not managers or coaches. They are responsible for their own performance on the pitch and not for a general assessment of the team.
“If you go to Chelsea, to Man United and you ask them if they feel they need to sign players, you will get a positive response everywhere.
“If you ask the players in what position, you will never get their position. You have to take a distance with that. It's human —every player wants to play with big names because it is reassuring.”
Theo Walcott ended months of speculation this morning by signing a new long-term deal and Wenger has called on Robin van Persie to follow suit.
“I am hoping he will sign a new deal and I am trying very hard to get him to sign,” said Wenger, who also revealed Nicklas Bendtner has been fined following his nightclub antics on Tuesday night.
“I want Robin on board. He is a very important player in the squad and on the pitch he is a very efficient player.
“We want him to stay because we gave him a chance when he was in a very bad position at Feyenoord.
I think he developed well here and I don't see a reason for him to go and he loves the club. We will let you know as soon as we get close.”
Wenger still has regrets over the manner of Arsenal's Champions League exit but insists his side are still worthy of their place in the Big Four.
“We are in the most difficult league in the world,” he said. “We have gone out in Europe against Man United. I don't deny they deserved to go through over the two legs but we are hugely frustrated with the way it happened in the second leg.
“We did not have an opportunity to show how good we are. I know by experience that afterwards people always take definite conclusions but I believe that the distance between the two teams is not as big as people make it today.”
Arsenal face Chelsea with Wenger taking comfort from his belief that the Blues will be feeling more hurt than the Gunners after they too missed out on the Champions League Final.
While Arsenal's second leg was effectively over after United scored twice in the first 11 minutes, Chelsea Barcelona's Andres Iniesta hit a crucial away goal deep into injury-time.
He said: “Chelsea's defeat shows how cruel football can be.
“Chelsea will be hit harder than us. The difference is that they were only a minute away from being in Rome. We, in fairness, were never in a position where we were qualified.”
Reader views (8)
To be sincere Arsen wenger needs to look into the position of defence,mildfield &striker he shuld sign d players that wil make d fans hapy is not all about big name bt is all about experience and Good result b'cos arsenal fans ar runing out of patience.
- O.Mikel, Lokoja,Nigeria, 29/06/2009 09:18
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I am sorry but I don't have the same idea as Wenger.
Wenger has been having it his way for a long time and he was wrong in many things,resulting in no CUPS again.
It is time for Wenger to listen and act by buying some players. First he needs two central defenders like Lescott and Upson,then he needs someone like Barry to help midfield,finally a good centre forward.But players like Toure,EBOUE SONG, DIABY,Silvestre must go.
Arsenal supporters are running out of patience.
A.Messina
- A.Messina, Malta, 29/06/2009 08:18
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Great idea Almunia, starting with a new keeper!
- Rob Gooner, North London, 29/06/2009 08:18
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didnt rob the gooner state the other day that Fabianski was a superb keeper who deserves a chance...THE Amazing Wenger needs too buy top proven players,not young guns for a pittance who cant hack it in the big games that matter..eg Walcott..was he playing tin the 2 legs v Man U?? he is a one trick pony,got the pace,but no skill or brain to use it
- Jonjo, berks, 29/06/2009 08:18
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I hate when players say that. They technically imply their colleague were at fault and should be replaced. These are guys who they themselves did not earn their wages. perhaps Wenger should buy players in the positions occupied by those asking him to buy. Ade for instance was disappointing and Wenger could replace him easily. He keeps refering to himself as one of the best in the World but he is not and you never hear the best strikers say that
- Fred, london, 29/06/2009 08:18
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Massive clear out and 4-5 new faces...not that this is going to happen! Gallas, Silvestre, Senderos, Traore, Bischoff, Adeybaor all out. Lescott, Sakho, Barry, Kranjcar, Dzeok in! 1st Team: Almunia, Sagna, Toure, Lescott, Clichy, Barry, Fabregas, Nasri, Walcott, Arshavin, Van-persie. Subs: Lukasz, Djourou, Denilson, Diaby, Kranjcar, Dzeok, Eduardo. Squad: Vito, Gibbs, Eboue, Sakho, Song, Ramsey, Rosicky, Wilshere, Vela, Simpson. 6 English in this set up as well!!!
- Newmy, Milton Keynes, 29/06/2009 08:18
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Spot on Arsene. Who does Adebayor think he is? He's been rubbish for us for most of the season and didn't turn up in either leg of the CL semi's. He thought he should be on Henry's wages after one decent season, not realising that Henry did it for us for nearly a decade. If AC Milan or anyone else offer £20 mil for him in the summer we should bite their hands off. We should invest in experienced quality players in the summer, who has been our best player since February? Arshavin, by a long way. That has got to tell everyone something.
- Peter, Chislehurst, 29/06/2009 08:18
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I totally agree with the Boss. Ade and Almunia should concentrate on winning with the team that they have. Ade needs to work more for the team. He stood up high on the pitch waiting for balls to be passed to his feet. Thierry Henry bless him, when he played as a lone striker, used to track down the field to do defensive work. Theo does that very effectively too. Almunia, well you could have done better with the free kick- so go back to practicing how to stop free kicks and stop telling the manager that he needs to bring in new faces- perhaps someone to replace you?
- Julius Nuga, Abbots Langley UK, 29/06/2009 08:18
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