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December 26, 2009

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Wenger sees gain from trophy-less years at Arsenal

Source: Agencies | December 26, 2009, Saturday | Print Edition

ARSENE Wenger has claimed that Arsenal's last four trophy-less seasons have given him more satisfaction than any other spell in his long career with the Premier League team.

Wenger's side has failed to win a major silverware since lifting the FA Cup in 2005, but the Gunners boss, who arrived in north London in 1996, believes the progress made by the club on and off the pitch makes it the most rewarding time.

The Frenchman has overseen Arsenal's move to the Emirates Stadium, the construction of a new training ground and the development of a hugely successful youth academy.

"For me the best period at the club is the last four years but unfortunately it is also the period where we have not won trophies," he said. "But people forget we have been reasonably consistent and it has been the most difficult period, but as well for me, the period where I worked the best.

"Moving into a new stadium, with less resources, people should respect the fact we have still made some money in every single year without the team dropping a level and maintaining a successful period in the Champions League and reasonably in the league. I think it was quite difficult.

"The last four years have been the most challenging. It's not linked with the fact we have won no trophies. I think it is moving into the new stadium and keeping the team at the top."

Wenger, reflecting on his 13-year reign in a webchat with arsenal.com, admits there have been positive and negative changes to the Premier League since his arrival from Japan's Grampus Eight.

He is happy to be part of a league with such a renowned global brand, but feels the vast sums of money spent by top clubs have made the game too serious.

Popular league

"It has become a worldwide product and when I travel nowadays I see how popular this league has become and we shouldn't take it for granted in England," he said.

"Firstly it's a worldwide product, secondly the ownership has changed completely, the structure of the game has changed. And don't forget, for example, referees have become completely professional. The league has become much more professional, the pressure has become much bigger, financial input has become much bigger which means the quality of the games has become much better.

"All that has changed. In some ways for good, and some ways a bit more negatively because it's less relaxed. Everybody is a bit more tense.

"I felt 13 years ago a defeat was less dramatic than it is now, it's much more dramatic and tense. It is because of money and it is all about the Champions League now, being in the top four. A few years ago it was a bit more open and as soon as you are a bit out from what is expected of you now, it is a crisis."

Arsenal hosts Aston Villa tomorrow. A victory over Villa, which trails it only on goal difference, could provide a crucial boost to hopes of a first league title since the unbeaten 2003-04 season.

But Villa has beaten Chelsea, Manchester United and Liverpool already this season and is seeking to complete a sweep of victories against last season's top-four sides.

It won 2-0 at Arsenal last season before holding the Gunners 2-2 at Villa Park.

"We're a really good counterattacking team," Villa defender Curtis Davies said. "That's how we beat Arsenal at the Emirates last season."

Davies said defensive midfielder Stiliyan Petrov could be his team's key player against what can be a devastatingly quick Arsenal attack.

Wenger is hoping to have captain Cesc Fabregas back from a hamstring strain.

Elsewhere, Manchester United is at Hull tomorrow.

Leader Chelsea is at Birmingham today, while Burnley hosts Bolton, Tottenham heads to Fulham, and Liverpool welcomes Wolverhampton Wanderers. City will host Stoke in Roberto Mancini's first game in charge. Also, it is Sunderland vs Everton, West Ham vs Portsmouth and Wigan vs Blackburn.

On Monday, it's Blackburn vs Sunderland, Chelsea vs Fulham, Everton vs Burnley, Stoke vs Birmingham, Tottenham vs West Ham and Wolves vs Manchester City.

Chelsea will already have played Birmingham without the injured Nicolas Anelka before meeting Fulham without Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou. That will leave coach Carlo Ancelotti with strikers Daniel Sturridge and Fabio Borini, neither of whom have scored in their debut seasons with Chelsea.

Liverpool is at Villa on Tuesday, when Hull is at Bolton. A day later, Manchester United hosts Wigan and Arsenal is at Portsmouth.
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