Tuesday 28 August 2012

Wenger: 'We showed we are ready for a fight'



Dear Arsenal supporter,

Like last weekend's draw with Sunderland, Sunday's game at Stoke was one we should have won 1-0.

There were lots of positives - we showed we have a very strong spirit, we were dominant in the challenges, we were prepared, highly-focused and defensively very strong overall.



But offensively we still have some work to do because we miss a bit of precision in the final third, in our movement and in our passing. We are used to finding each other blind in the final third.

Stoke deserve credit of course, they are strong defensively and experienced too. For us I would say it is two points dropped but having said that it is maybe a good point because it will be difficult for everybody to take points at Stoke.

I have seen other teams who go forward more, they open their game. That makes it easier to score, but on Sunday it was a fight for 90 minutes. The most important thing is that you learn about your team and I can see they are capable of standing up. They behaved like men who are ready for a fight and that is vital.

All that is missing up front is understanding and that's normal because one month ago Cazorla, Podolski and Giroud didn't know each other. There is some work to do on the training ground but you can feel the potential. At the moment we are not spontaneous enough in some situations but I am very positive about my team.

People will point out that we haven't scored yet and I cannot deny that. But we played against two teams who defend very well as a unit and overall I still believe we can be a contender in this championship.

I have heard some criticism of my strikers but I do not listen too much to what people say on TV. I listen and I try to see if it is exaggerated or not. But I have worked for 30 years on the football pitch and I know what it takes to improve a football player. Not everybody can say that.

The understanding can be built quickly but if we play as a team we will score goals. I remember I had the same questions to answer when Thierry Henry left as I have had with Robin van Persie. You have to take that into perspective and the positive for me is that you feel there is potential there.

Thanks for your support.


Arsène Wenger



Above is Wenger's weekly email to Arsenal supporters. Below is the section of this week's email that I know will draw out his critics. 
"I have heard some criticism of my strikers but I do not listen too much to what people say on TV. I listen and I try to see if it is exaggerated or not. But I have worked for 30 years on the football pitch and I know what it takes to improve a football player. Not everybody can say that."
Can you fault his reasoning? You think he's just an arrogant SoB? Do you think he has cause to be this optimistic? Tell us below in the comments section.

Follow on Twitter @naijaendgooner

8 comments:

  1. that's wenger's problem. he thinks working for 30 years in football means he knows it all. that's why arsenal is where it is right now. declining rapidly

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  2. Arsenal need to get rid of this man. Until then we have no hope of winning a trophy again. he has run out of ideas

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  3. 30 years in football didnt teach him not to sell his best player to his biggest rival. Wenger really should put a sock in it

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  4. If Wenger could just shut up for a minute, he'll see that the transfer window closes in 3 days and go do the needful.

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  5. Wenger deserves better than the criticism he gets from fans and foes alike. Arsenal will be wallowing in the 2nd division if it wasnt for him

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  6. How did you arrive at this conclusion, mate?

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  7. Admit AW does appear arrogant at times but that's a characteristic of true genius. He can't help himself.

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  8. We can't keep crying over spilt milk. All that's left to be done is for our players to get their heads down and understand their game, learn to be in sync with one another. It will take time to fully understand the game play of the team mates and what each person brings to the table.


    This is one reason I admire Barcelona, they don't buy a lot at a time. This allows the new boys to fully understand the game play of the team and at the same time find pockets in which to add their contributions.

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What do you think?

Naija End Gooner