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Even though Didier Deschamps has only been France’s manager for a short period of time, it would be fair to say that he has already trodden on a few toes in the Premier League. One of those people who he has hit out is Arsene Wenger although his compatriot appears to have taken his recent comments relatively lightly and has said there is no problem between the two.

Wenger was reportedly furious when France decided to select Abou Diaby for two World Cup qualifiers last month and with the midfielder renowned as someone who struggles for fitness, it was no surprise when he broke down with a thigh injury in the game against Chelsea immediately after. The Gunners’ boss had supposedly asked France not to play Diaby in those games, in a bid to preserve his fitness following a lengthy layoff. However, when Deschamps got wind of such comments he was quick to put Wenger straight in his place and said that he was the one to decide who played for France.

As you would expect, the press have immediately asked Wenger’s response to such comments. Surprisingly, the 62-year-old has remained quite composed about the situation and claims that he does not have a problem with Deschamps. He said, “I have no problem with Didier Deschamps. It was not even my opinion. It was the opinion of my medical staff that Diaby was not in the position to cope with playing for both Arsenal and France at the moment because when you have been out for a year you have been out for a year. I have spoken to him and told him that.”

Wenger will now be hoping that Diaby returns to the Gunners’ reckoning after the international break and adds to the six appearances he has already made this term.

Former Arsenal player Freddie Ljungberg has said that manager Arsene Wenger should be focusing on signing a few top players in order to persuade star striker Robin van Persie to stay at the club. The 28-year-old striker has been one of the most impressive players in the Premier league. In fact, he has been able to keep up with both Cristiano Ronaldo and Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi when it comes to the goal scoring records this season. He has been able to achieve a phenomenal 40 goals in all competitions for both club and country. However, he has only one season left on his current deal and is being linked with a move to Italy in club Juventus.

Freddie Ljungberg is widely regarded to be one of the best players Arsenal have had in recent seasons. The Sweden star is currently plying his trade in the MLS. He has said that Arsenal should be focusing on bringing in a couple of world-class players in order to keep Robin van Persie happy at the club. Only a few weeks ago, the Arsenal chairman revealed that the club will not be breaking the bank in order to keep Robin van Persie. Hence, they are not expected to offer more than £ 130,000 per week for the Dutchman.

“I think there’s nothing to advise Robin, I think it’s more that you have to advise Arsenal. When Robin came to Arsenal we were a good team and we were winning trophies. I think that’s what he wants to do, and I think that Arsenal maybe have to open their wallet a little bit and buy maybe two or three top, top players… not just players for the squad. I think that will win Robin over on whether he will stay or not, and as a fan I hope that’s what he is going to do because I want to see Arsenal lift trophies again,” said Ljungberg.

In one of the strangest statements by a rival manager, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has said that he could be ready to support Chelsea in the Champions League final. Chelsea have made it into the Champions League final after beating Barcelona 3-2 on aggregate in what is perceived to be one of the greatest results in the Champions League due to the dominance exerted by the Spanish opponents in this competition over the last couple of seasons. However, if Chelsea win the Champions League this season, then it would mean that only three teams from England will make it into the group stages of the Champions League next season by virtue of their league position.

This would mean that either Arsenal, Newcastle United, and Tottenham may have to contend with the Europa league next season even though they might have finished in the fourth position. Chelsea have been getting a lot of support from fans of various clubs due to the fact that they are the only English team left in the competition. Arsene Wenger has also joined the bandwagon by showing his support for Chelsea, but has said that he will be continuing his support for Chelsea only if Arsenal finish in the third position and secure their Champions League status next season.

“Look, if we finish third you want Chelsea to win the Champions League because it’s great for the Premier League. If you are in fourth it would be masochistic to wish that you were out of the Champions League. You cannot ask the impossible. That is why maybe the rule is a little bit malicious. Overall I think everyone in England wants an English team to win the Champions League, but the team who is fourth will certainly wish to have a chance to play in it,” Wenger said.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has said that even finishing fourth will feel like winning a trophy for Arsenal this season. Arsenal have just been eliminated from the FA Cup and the prospects of winning the Champions league are also not good either. Arsenal lost 4-0 in the first leg of the last 16 of the Champions League against AC Milan recently. Hence, Arsene Wenger immediately ruled out the possibility of Arsenal going through to the quarter-finals. Arsenal are currently in the fourth position in the table, with a massive points difference between them and leaders Manchester City. The possibility of them winning the title is also extremely remote.

Hence, Arsene Wenger has said that finishing fourth this season for Arsenal would feel like winning a trophy. Finishing in the fourth position in the Premier league will guarantee the opportunity to take part in the qualification rounds of the Champions League. Even though it was not a guarantee for clubs to play in the Champions League group stage next season, most of the English teams have made it into the group stages after having finished as the fourth placed team. Arsenal qualifying for the Champions League next season also looks extremely tough due to the competition posed by Chelsea, Newcastle United, and Liverpool.

“The first trophy is to finish in the top four. And that’s still possible. I believe finishing fourth is vital for us, so let’s focus on that. That we lost here is basically down to the fact that we had to give a lot in Milan on Wednesday night and then we had to travel again, and that is difficult for any team in the world. But I thought it was a good performance from us,” Arsene Wenger told the reporters after the FA Cup defeat to Sunderland.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has said that he is very much hoping that Ivory Coast forward Gervinho returns after having been inspired by the goals for Ivory Coast in the African cup of Nations.

Gervinho scored the winner for Ivory Coast in the semi-final against Mali, which took their side to the final of the prestigious African tournament. Despite the presence of players like Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou, it was Gervinho who secured the winner for Ivory Coast.

The national team has been disappointing of late in terms of the number of trophies won, but Arsene Wenger has said that Ivory Coast have a real opportunity to win the African cup of nations and please their supporters. He also said that he hopes that Gervinho returns for club duty after having been inspired by the goals he scored against Mali.

Due to the participation in the final of the tournament, Gervinho will be unavailable for the match against Sunderland during the weekend. It is going to be very tough match for Arsenal given that Sunderland have been one of the inform teams in the Premier league over the last few months. The arrival of Martin O’Neill at the Stadium of light has certainly brought significant changes to the north-east club.

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Video clip Rating: five / five

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has told the media that he can see his spell as Arsenal Manager coming to an end shortly. One of the longest serving managers in English Football, Wenger arrived at the club 15 years ago, and was an instant success, with Arsenal playing attractive attacking Football, with Gunners legends such as Thierry Henry brought in by Wenger during his early years.

However, after six trophyless seasons the Gunners supporters’ support for Wenger has begun to fade, and the Frenchman is now realising that perhaps a fresh face in the hotseat may be the only way to turn around the club’s fortunes.

Arsenal have had a rollercoaster start to the season, with the opening few games billed as their worst start to a Premiership season during Wenger’s reign – a mindset partially brought about by a horrific 8-2 defeat to reigning Champions Manchester United.

Wenger has admitted that he is now thinking short term with regards to his plans for the club – something which has been illustrated by his activity in the transfer market. Wenger has always applied a policy of buying younger players with a lot of potential, and building them into superstars – a tactic which was particularly successful with Thierry Henry and Cesc Fabregas, two of the club’s biggest stars over the last decade. In the summer, however, Wenger chose to buy older, experienced players such as Mikel Arteta, Yossi Benayoun and Per Mertesacker, signalling that the Arsenal boss is concentrating more on the club’s results each week than uncovering the next big superstar to take Arsenal forward in the future.

Wenger, who has won three Premier League titles during his time at Arsenal, has openly spoken of his frustration at being forced to sell rising stars such as Fabregas and Nasri, players who Wenger feels he could have developed further.

There’s only one Arsene Wenger! The milestone has been reached – he gets to be the longest-serving Arsenal supervisor. The guy who made soccer – lovely sport. Arshavin Fabregas Henry futball super funny target champions league
Video Rating: 4 / 5

RT @arsenal: Football would do nicely to consider its lead from rugby when it launches its new ‘Respect’ campaign, in accordance to Wenger http://bit.ly/fFANwh – by Philaldinho (Philaldinho)

Arsene Wenger: &aposWilshere would be taking step backwards if he played for England Beneath-21s&apos: Arsene Wenger feels… http://bit.ly/dOv5iI – by ArsenalNewsFeed (Arsenal FC)