- Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has discussed the players he admires in the game.
The Frenchman believes that application is at least as important as talent when it comes to forging a top-level career and is drawn to those who maximise their resources.
Speaking at a supporters Q&A at Emirates Stadium, Wenger said: “People ask me all the time who my favourite player is.
“My favourite players are those who have a normal talent but make a great career. That's what I respect the most, the guy who takes the absolute maximum out of his potential.
“When you are young, you learn as you age that life is not as easy as it looks at 20. At 20, to be rigorous, to be consistent, to be focused, is not natural.
“These players, what they have to do is make their life between 20 and 30. They have to sacrifice a part of their life.
“I often say to people, 'look, George Bush became President of the United States. At 40, he says himself that he was an alcoholic.' At 40 years of age in football there is no comeback, but you can still make a life for a normal person in a normal job.
“In sport you have to understand what is important between 20 and 30. I don't want the players to come back and say, 'you didn't tell me you have to prepare well, you didn't tell me to be as good as I can be'. That's just a part of it.”
- Arsene Wenger admits he could be back in the transfer market next month if injuries keep piling up at Arsenal.
Wenger made a flurry of signings as the last window closed and could take advantage of the club’s healthy financial position to sign more reinforcements.
The Gunners have recovered from a poor start to the season but have defensive problems since left-back Andre Santos was ruled out for three months to have surgery on an ankle injury.
‘We lose players like Marouane Chamakh and Gervinho to the Africa Cup of Nations,’ Wenger told fans at a Q&A session at the Emirates.
‘Touch wood, we do not get any injuries to our strikers but if an opportunity turns up in that department then we will buy.
‘Economically the whole environment has changed and people suffer more. The clubs will suffer more financially and it’s much more difficult. Maybe we will have some opportunities because we are in a good financial situation.’
Thomas Vermaelen, who will provide vital cover at left-back in the absence of Santos and Kieran Gibbs, came off concussed against Everton on Saturday but should be fit to face Manchester City on Sunday.
Having won seven of their last eight, Arsenal are determined not to lose their momentum.
‘We have not had the credit we deserve,’ said Wenger. ‘In the Champions League, we did well. We played Udinese, who are perhaps the top team in Italy, and we finished top of our group.
‘Once people decide you are a bad team, you are a bad team. You have to work slowly and let people talk.’
Former Arsenal full-back Gael Clichy will miss the game against his former club through suspension after a red card against Chelsea.
- Arsenal skipper Robin van Persie was always destined for greatness, says his Dad.
His artist dad saw a psychic after the striker was born, and heard some incredible words that set the Arsenal ace on the path to stardom.
Father, Bob van Persie, said: “I always thought he would be a professional player.
“Just after he was born a clairvoyant told me that he was going to be a professional footballer and that he would play for Holland. I believed her because before he was born she had already told us it was going to be a boy.
“I already had two daughters and I said to her, ‘OK, if you’re right and it’s a boy, I’ll come round to your place because I want to hear the rest of this story’.
“Two weeks after Robin was born, she told me he was a special boy – what she called a Ferrari kind of guy – and that he would play for Holland. I believed in that.”
- In an interview, Arsenal midfielder Denilson has confirmed that he hopes to stay in São Paulo once his loan finishes in six months time.
The young central-midfielder has enjoyed a topsy-turvy time of things since his return to Brazil, picking up three red cards in his first ten games. Yet, despite the difficulties, Denilson has stated he is enjoying life back home and intends to stay.
Denilson's Arsenal career stalled after a promising start and in the 2010/11 season the former hot prospect struggled for regular starts.
With Casemiro a possible departure from the Morumbi and Denilson seemingly trusted by new boss Emerson Leão, it could well be that 2012 will be the year in which the youngster can rediscover his previous form and confidence
- Arsenal are considering a move for Anderlecht playmaker Lucas Biglia. the Gunners are courting the 25-year-old Argentina international and a January offer is in the pipeline.
Anderlecht are apparently reluctant to let go of Biglia but the player is said to be keen to test himself in the Premier League. Should Arsenal meet the asking price of £9m then a deal could be completed next month.
-AC Milan defender Taye Taiwo is sending ‘come and get me’ signals to Arsene Wenger. The professor was said to be after the 26-year-old Nigerian last summer but Taiwo opted instead for a move from Marseille to AC Milan.
But things haven’t worked out for the full-back and he’s making no secret of the fact he wants more game time. “I am suffering every day because I don't get to play football,” says Taiwo. “I joined this club in order to play, but I have made only six appearances so far.”
Despite Arsenal’s recent run of good form, the club has an injury crisis at the back with Andre Santos, Kieran Gibbs, Bacary Sagna and Carl Jenkinson all out injured, and according to the Metro Wenger will pounce for Taiwo in the New Year.
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