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Arsene Wenger on tomorrow’s line-up and the mental strength of the players

Written by Jeffrey on April 9, 2011 – 4:15

Arsenal Interactive - Squad SelectorArsene Wenger

If Arsenal are to be crowned champions at the end of the season they desperately need all the best players back and ready for action.

Speaking ahead of tomorrow’s game away against Blackpool, manager Arsene Wenger explained that captain Cesc Fabregas is fully recovered from a hamstring injury and will start the game. In the defensive department, right-back Bacary Sagna is doubtful with midfielder Alex Song certain to miss the game but back next week for the game against Liverpool.

Asked about the mental strength of his players, the Frenchman explained that this is a young Arsenal team that needs time as the average age during the Champions League game against Barcelona clearly demonstrated.

According to the Arsenal boss, this squad is mentally in a very strong position but needs time to find the right chemistry to finally achieve their objectives.

On Friday, Wenger said:

Cesc [Fabregas] is fit to start. We have some problems with [Bacary] Sagna and with [Alex] Song, who will be out [with a knee injury], and [Theo] Walcott as well.

Song definitely won’t play but he should be available for next week. There is a big doubt about Walcott, it’s his ankle again. He will have a late fitness test. Sagna has a knee problem and has a scan today [Friday]. Everybody else should be available.

This team is 23. When we played against Barcelona, they were 27 and a half. It is important we realise this team is absolutely amazing for what they do at their age. One day people will understand that, but at the moment, I am not sure many people do.

How old is Wilshere? Nineteen. It looks like in England you cannot play without him. How old is Fabregas? How old is Nasri? Now it is a crucial moment where we have to trust these players and not listen to opinions of people who have not worked half a day in football.

Do you know how much work and dedication is behind a team like that? How much mental strength is behind a team like that? We are in a strong position.

They have not been built just like that, it is a real process of club work, coaching work – that is not just to go out and buy a player for X amount of money. What is hard in football is to build a team and work with the players every day.

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  • Mavie says:
    April 9, 2011 at 6:48

    Have players,good players at that age it amazing,but 1 thing i know they wont reach the optimum level cause they wont be 2geda 4 a long time u will sell them b4 they even start en bring in another young player and we have 2 wait 4 those players again for another 6 years,u gona build untill when,we need a striker en a good defender,keeper,do that plz mr.wenger

    Reply to this comment »
  • quanvu says:
    April 9, 2011 at 7:11

    “One Day” of wenger never comes.
    Wenger. DON’T BE STUBBORN . BESS TO WHO DO NOT SEE BUT BELIEVE.

    Reply to this comment »
  • Kabir usman says:
    April 9, 2011 at 7:40

    Why wenger has kept on with dis word mental strenght becouse he new dai r no matured men in d squard who wil give them dat. So pls we need centreback goalkeeper nd a striker pls nd pls.

    Reply to this comment »
  • Collin says:
    April 9, 2011 at 8:11

    Arsene should face reality we dont have a winning team we must forget about winning the league we dont have strikers at all the defence is not organised the goalkeepers again.Wenger please by players experienced players not small boys

    Reply to this comment »
  • aliadili says:
    April 9, 2011 at 8:13

    You did not say that at the start of the season Mr. Wenger, had you been realistic, honest, and frank then, and told the fans to be more patient and that second place is not a disaster, you would not have been under such criticism. On the other hand had you signed two or three more experienced players the fans, you and the team would not have been in this depressing situation. Please Mr. Wenger stop giving deceptive statements and show some respect to the fans and critics, because there are people who know in football other than you, Chamack, Squillachi, and Amunia, are not young and not good enough, while Denilsen, Song and Bentdner, hane been in the team for years, but are yet to prove themselves as trophy winners players. Please Mr. Wenger you can not emulate the achievement of Sir Alex in the nineties, because even he could not, it happens in certain circumstances. On the other hand you could not keep some promising players then, like Flamimin, Hleb, and Cole, so how can you be sure that you can your current promising players to the wright time without attractive wages or trophies, against fierce competitive from more luxurious clubs?. Please Mr. Wenger , what has gone has gone, and the chance is still there for you and the team to be among the elite, but be realistic and bold enough to admit your mistakes and face them, it would take three world class players in place of five or six average or less players to balance the team. The team needs a goal keeper, another reliable central defender, and an instinctive goal scorer( Eduardo or Klose style), in place of Almunia, Fabianski, Squillachi, Denilsen, Song, Bendtner, and Chamack. Crtainly Wenger and some people would consider Song as essential and can not be sacrificed, well first of all in several times Arsenal played better without a holding midfielder, second he is not a Veiera, Essien or Kean, he is too slow in thinking and movement to cope with Arsenal game, in fact what he is good at is making unnecessary fouls in dangerous places, besides with Ramsy, Frempong, Wilshire, and even Vermaelen, or Kocielny , available and can fill in as holding midfielders when needed , who needs an ordinary, uncharacterized figure as Song.

    Reply to this comment »
    • Jenkinson says:
      April 9, 2011 at 12:48

      What should he have said at the beginning of the season?
      Remember no-one gave Arsenal any chance at all this season and look where they are now – and the season is not over yet.
      Do you remember the last match in which we won a trophy? It was labelled the worst cup-final ever? Who did we beat? ManU!
      Is it that important to win trophies if that is the way you have to play to get one?

      Reply to this comment »
      • Chris says:
        April 9, 2011 at 13:07

        Remember no-one gave Arsenal any chance at all this season

        This is a joke, right?

        I could run a poll on this website and I’m more than sure more than 50% would say they thought we could win the title.

        Reply to this comment »
        • Hunter says:
          April 9, 2011 at 18:15

          Spot on Chris. I was one of those who thought we could win the title. But, when the transfer window shut and we did nothing I came back to reality.

          Reply to this comment »
    • guru says:
      April 9, 2011 at 21:29

      Song is not good enough eh, then who is? Are you the guys still crying for Flamini to come back? And how is he responsible for the poor performance when he hasn’t been playing in most of the recent games where we performed poorly?

      Reply to this comment »
  • Vellentine says:
    April 9, 2011 at 8:17

    Maybe wenger is saying fabregas,nasri and jack are the type of players he wants the rest will have to be sold witht few remaining

    Reply to this comment »
  • David says:
    April 9, 2011 at 8:23

    With all due respect to the dissenters, I would like to voice my admiration for Arsene Wenger. His press conference message was very powerful. I think, sometimes, the fans get carried away in the counting of trophies, and ignore the other realities. If We do not have a winning team, as some have outrageously said, then we Arsenal should not be in the second place in the league. Please keep the faith, continue to support the team, and BE POSITIVE!

    Have to catch some sleep now but will come back later. David

    Reply to this comment »
  • kelly says:
    April 9, 2011 at 9:38

    I knew the implosion would continue when i looked at the transfers-in 4 arsenal at the SKY SPORTS website and there was no central midfielder on the list,so i am not shocked rather i am disgusted and bored by the predictability.as 4 the fire spitting and TNT sneezing at the press conference i hope it was not aimed at us otherwise i am ready to take responsibility 4 my comments.categorically i am willing to take 6 lashes of the whip on my back from wenger himself if any of SONG,DIABY&DENILSON turns out to be world class let alone top4 quality. as 4 the AST i think they should demand more of the truth from wenger and the board coz there seems to be a vicious cycle of deceit, propaganda and cross purpose that only misleads and embarrasses the fans.if there is no transfer funds then no need of being economical with the truth just bare it out! coz the propaganda only alienates and frustrates the fans.and its the home fans who provide the most revenue and cheer the team every week.

    Reply to this comment »
  • riches ekpo says:
    April 9, 2011 at 9:51

    i thank all ma arsenal fans 4 their support and contributions devoid d trophyless yrz. currently, Almunia fanbiasky rosicky ashrvin denilson clinchy should all b sold an player like Shygiven tayetaiwo cahill odewengi should replace them.

    Reply to this comment »
  • Denzo says:
    April 9, 2011 at 10:04

    Same old excuse you have overstayed your welcome ,we don’t want to see you anymore.You destroyed Arsenal and you are an absolute muppet.

    Reply to this comment »
  • JOEL says:
    April 9, 2011 at 10:07

    If there is one thing that this current team do NOT possess-it is “Mental strength”.No leadership and no spine whenever the going gets tough.Hence an inability to win the Carling Cup Final;to beat a second string United;or to get three points from the likes of Sunderland,West Brom or Blackburn!Just an unflinching egotism which has been translated into overinflated wages for underachievers!!!

    Reply to this comment »
  • Char Ronny says:
    April 9, 2011 at 10:17

    What the fans are crying for Mr Wenger is at least a trophy.The reason why teams play is to win trophies,not making up the numbers.Your project is a gud one but please balance it with few established players.

    Reply to this comment »
  • Obed says:
    April 9, 2011 at 11:13

    Wenger is a fooooooool!!! He is arrogant,adamant,doesnt want to accept his mistakes.dear gunners so far as wenger is in charge we will experience disappointment year in year out.how can say a club that has won 13 leaguetitles finishing second is ok.Wenger has lost his sense he needs psychologist

    Reply to this comment »
  • kennedy Mulwa says:
    April 9, 2011 at 11:47

    For the first time i will agree with Wenger’s comment, its hard to build up a team like arsenal whereby it consist of avarege age of 23 yrs old. these partilly boys if they will allow me to call them boys coz most of them are my peers.but should understand that,Fans needs something to smile about.yeah i love Arsenal deep down frm my heart, no matter how horroble they may be.but guys please give me something,so 30 i can pretent to my rival fans.i wish you all the best.i still insist this,pls i wouldlike to c Eden Hazard play for arsenal.

    Reply to this comment »
  • G.Ojisor says:
    April 9, 2011 at 12:28

    aliadili, your assessment of Song is incorrect and completely unacceptable. How do u watch your matches and which statistic did you adopt in writing off a player who has been d most consistent since last season? One young player that have undergone transformation and has contributed meaningfully is Song (including Wilshere this season). Pls get it right!

    Reply to this comment »
  • makaveli says:
    April 9, 2011 at 14:12

    Yap i agree with u G coz i dont remember any match we won without song in midfield this season,so he is important figure in that team,without song and fab in that midfield plus walcot in that wing we cannot win a single game to the maches left,so when i read that song and walcot are not in the squad i get bad feelings in our chances of wining the mach.

    Reply to this comment »
  • Haris says:
    April 9, 2011 at 20:11

    The excuses have started…I can`t believe this man.

    I just watched A. Bilbao vs Real Madrid and I saw a perfection from the tactical view. Jose is an outstanding manager. Its a shame we don`t have one with those qualities.
    However…Only losers are coming up with excuses even before the challenge has began…

    We need a big change in Arsenal , 5-6 players has to go…

    PS: I agree with you Aliadili , Song is not good enough…and when Song is not good enough then what are Diaby and Denilson…

    Reply to this comment »
  • khennie says:
    April 9, 2011 at 21:19

    just sick and tired of Mr Wenger excuses

    Reply to this comment »
  • tommy says:
    April 9, 2011 at 22:35

    The fatal flaw in Wenger’s plan–ok, so we’re supposed to wait for the kids to grow up. But the problem is that is asking Cesc and the few others who are ready RIGHT NOW to wait for others to come along. Fergie knows how to plan for the future and the present. Wenger needs to take a lesson. He continues his faith in Vela and Denilson while Fergie grabs up Hernandez and Smalling, who are helping them RIGHT NOW to another title. Wenger doesn’t need to clear out ten players and sign ten for 150 million, but the goalkeeper and DM/CD can be fixed RIGHT NOW without disrupting the youth development by just letting go of Almunia and Denilson. Surely he must see this

    Reply to this comment »
  • Muta says:
    April 10, 2011 at 11:03

    Look stop saying rabbish pls.

    Reply to this comment »
  • JohnDale says:
    April 10, 2011 at 12:46

    BTW is Cesc suppose/willing to wait another 10 years to win something? Just asking. Cos I definitely wouldn’t.

    Reply to this comment »
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