Arsène Wenger (Coach) - TalkSoccer

**Olzy** · 31-01-2007, 10:07 AM

Arsene Wenger has called for his young Gunners to mark their development by securing a place in the Carling Cup final on Wednesday night.

The Arsenal boss will again use a delicate blend of youth and experience for the return encounter with north-London rivals Tottenham.

A draw at White Hart Lane last week - when they had trailed 2-0 inside 21 minutes - puts Wenger's men in the driving seat to secure a date against Chelsea at the Millennium Stadium on February 25.

Having been knocked out by Wigan on away goals at the same stage of the competition last season, the Arsenal manager is determined to get the right result this time around against their arch-rivals - who were beaten 3-0 at the Emirates Stadium in early December.

Wenger said: "It is a good challenge for us. The way we came back at Tottenham puts us on top, but of course they are a good side.

"It will be an exciting game."

Wenger told Arsenal TV Online: "We feel we have moved on this year and we want to show that at the Emirates.

"We want just to repeat that [victory earlier this season] . It is a good inspiration for us going into the game."

Arsenal will be without forward Julio Baptista because of a groin problem, but fellow Brazilian Gilberto is available again following a three-match suspension.

Wenger admitted the loss of Baptista - who scored six goals in his last two Carling Cup games - is a blow.

"It is a big regret for me, because he has led the team recently with a huge spirit," said the Arsenal manager.

"His mental strength was obvious in the game at Tottenham because he scored an own goal then he put two in the net at the other end. That is always the best answer you can give.

"I think he will also miss Middlesbrough game - but I hope he will be back after that."

Wenger is likely to again keep faith with Theo Walcott tonight.

Although having now chalked up more than 20 appearances in all competitions - including eight starts - the exciting teenager has not scored.

Walcott has looked out of sorts in recent weeks, and missed another great chance to open his account when firing wide from close range in the FA Cup tie against Bolton on Sunday.

Wenger understands the weight of expectation Walcott has to deal with.

"In the past he has scored goals for fun. At the moment he has not scored, so it must play a part on his mind," he said.

"What convinces me is he is such a good finisher in training and the way he took his last two chances was a bit hesitant.

"That means it is playing certainly a big part on his mind."

Wenger added: "He is on the verge of getting over it [the dip in form].

"Theo has made the biggest step now. It is part of growing - being hit by the expectation level.

"When you start, no one expects anything from you. Once you are established as a name, people expect something special from you every time you touch the ball.

"It is part of the maturing process, to get over that and learn to deal with and stick to what made your game strong."

source: teamtalk.com

JD · 31-01-2007, 10:58 AM

if we make it I can't see our youth team beating siberia blood money FC in the final

**Arsenal007** · 31-01-2007, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JD

if we make it I can't see our youth team beating siberia blood money FC in the final

Haha i agree! lol

**Arsenal007** · 06-02-2007, 03:52 AM

Villarreal midfielder Robert Pires has claimed Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger's decision to replace him in last year's UEFA Champions League final against Barcelona was the low point of his career.

The ex-Gunner was delighted to be named in the starting XI for the showpiece event, but was the casualty for Jens Lehmann's dismissal after being replaced by Manuel Almunia.

Pires does not believe he should have been the one to go off and believes Wenger's choice to take him out of the action was a joke.

"I was in seventh heaven when I knew I would be in the starting XI for the CL final," he told L'Equipe.

"During the match when I saw the referee showing number seven, frankly I thought it was a joke.

"I could never imagine Arsene would replace me. Honestly, I would have named another player, with good reasons.

"I'll never say who. That event remains the worst moment of my career.

"It's worse than my fall-out with Raymond Domenech. Worse than my first damaged ligaments in 2002 and worse than my second four years later.

"2006, what an awful year! I even imagined giving up everything."

*It must have been crumie but, I feel worse for Reyes he played all the games up to this one then got benched for the Final

* O well!

**Trim** · 13-02-2007, 06:06 PM

Arsenal are reportedly planning to make a £5 million bid this summer bid for Liverpool goalkeeper Scott Carson.

Newspaper reports today (Tuesday) suggest that the impressive young keeper, currently on loan at Charlton and earning consistently good reviews, has been targeted by Gunners manager Arsene Wenger as the successor to Jens Lehmann.

Wenger admitted last week that is not sure whether current No 1 Lehmann will be at the Emirates next season because the German is out of contract and is looking for a longer deal than Arsenal are prepared to offer him.

The Gunners' policy is to offer only one-year deals to players over the age of 30 when negotiating new contracts with them.

The 37-year-old Germany international and former Borussia Dortmund keeper could thus be on his way in the summer.

And Carson appears to be he man Wenger wants to bring in, having been impressed with his performances in a struggling Charlton side.

Carson, an England Under-21 international, is due to return from The Valley to parent club Liverpool at the end of the season.

But his first-team opportunities will be limited bevause Jose Reina is well-established as the No 1 for Rafael Benitez at Anfield.

Carson, 21, began his career at Leeds United and has also been on loan to Sheffield Wednesday since joining Liverpool.

However, Arsenal have also been linked with two other goalkeepers - Celtic's Artur Boruc and Craig Gordon of Hearts.

Goal.com - Arsene In For Carson?

**Trim** · 13-02-2007, 06:06 PM

Dunno about Carson, never saw him in goal.
Boruc would be a great sign though.

**Trim** · 13-02-2007, 06:24 PM

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger believes he will retire well within ten years, as age is beginning to catch up with him.

"I think that the club can go on very well for more than ten years, but not me," Wenger told a French magazine.

"I have to accept the idea that in ten years, I will be 67. This job requires physical and instinctive strength, animal strength to express the desire to win.

"It has to be part of you, but it can disappear with age."

He also admitted that being obsessed with success has made him lose track of time, that seems to be flying by.

"I am obsessed with it [success, winning]," he said. "Maybe I have left it too long without being conscious of the time that passes by.

"At the age of 50, you start to see what there is at the summit of the mountain, and it is a painful discovery to understand that you don't live forever.

"At that moment, it is time to ask yourself how you will use the time left: to continue like you always did, or to give another orientation to your life.

"The real motto of my life is to tell myself that tomorrow, I will be better than today. I have never accepted people who say 'I am not good at it'.

"It even could have gone at the age of 45. Some guys are fed-up with coaching at 40.

"But then there is Bobby Robson or Giovanni Trapattoni who will die with that desire. I have to be reasonable."

Goal.com - Age Catching Up With Me, Admits Wenger

simaozinho200 · 14-02-2007, 01:34 AM

it happens you can't go on coaching for the rest of your life it weighs on you

simaozinho200 · 14-02-2007, 01:37 AM

go after the wender bremen keeper what was his name again

simaozinho200 · 14-02-2007, 01:40 AM

robert pires has no right to speak it is not his bisness to who the manager does or doesn't take out because the manager is the one who has the final so it is better off if he keeps his mouth shut

**kennethlindheim** · 14-02-2007, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by simaozinho200

go after the wender bremen keeper what was his name again

Tim Wiese.

I can't see Liverpool selling to Arsenal, but he certainly has the potential. But he's still prone to mistakes.

**Mighty T.A.L.** · 14-02-2007, 11:22 AM

Reina is a young player and it will be very difficult for Carson to be Liverpool's number 1 goalkeeper.Carson have ambitions to play for England someday so he will not be satisfied to sit on the bench and watch Reina do the job.I think this depend on if Reina signs a new deal at Anfield.If he do, I think Rafa will be listen to offers.£5million seems like a good profit when you think about Carson came to Liverpool for only £750 000.Dudek will leave to summer when his contract expires but Liverpool have Padelli on loan who want a permantly deal to summer.If he have impress enough, Rafa will have no doubt signing him.I don't think Carson have a future in Liverpool and although if the club is Arsenal I don't think that will stop Benitez to sell him if he think the valuation from Arsenal is enough.

**Trim** · 16-02-2007, 08:01 AM

Arsene Wenger has pointed towards more rotations ahead of this weekend's FA Cup last sixteen tie against Blackburn Rovers.

"I will rotate as much as I can," Wenger told Arsenal TV Online. "I rested a few players at Bolton and some of them will come in.

"I am rotating for two reasons. Firstly we played extra time up there [at Bolton], and the space is very short between Wednesday night and Saturday morning.

"Secondly we have a massive game on Tuesday night [the Champions League clash at PSV].

"But what the Carling Cup has taught us is that we can rotate now. They are all up to the level and that is fantastic information for the Club."

The coach also revealed that Johan Djourou and Hleb are out of the reckoning: "Djourou will be out. He has a knee problem, but he will not be out for a longer period - maybe only two or three days.

"Alex Hleb has a tight hamstring. I played him for longer than I wanted to last night. He may need a little rest but it should not be a problem for Tuesday’s [CL] game. I will decide about that on Friday."

Goal.com - Wenger Promises More Rotations

**Arsenal007** · 16-02-2007, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T-Red

Arsene Wenger has pointed towards more rotations ahead of this weekend's FA Cup last sixteen tie against Blackburn Rovers.

"I will rotate as much as I can," Wenger told Arsenal TV Online. "I rested a few players at Bolton and some of them will come in.

"I am rotating for two reasons. Firstly we played extra time up there [at Bolton], and the space is very short between Wednesday night and Saturday morning.

"Secondly we have a massive game on Tuesday night [the Champions League clash at PSV].

"But what the Carling Cup has taught us is that we can rotate now. They are all up to the level and that is fantastic information for the Club."

The coach also revealed that Johan Djourou and Hleb are out of the reckoning: "Djourou will be out. He has a knee problem, but he will not be out for a longer period - maybe only two or three days.

"Alex Hleb has a tight hamstring. I played him for longer than I wanted to last night. He may need a little rest but it should not be a problem for Tuesday’s [CL] game. I will decide about that on Friday."

Goal.com - Wenger Promises More Rotations

I saw this on Arsenal.com as well, I think he needs to do it and I think that Henry needs to be in the lineup as well as fabregas!l