Wenger press conference - Transfers, Patrick, and the Coyle
Let it snow
By Boris Mellor
January 5 2010
I am writing this at a time when it is not certain that the famous "game in hand" will go ahead. We have waited half a season for the fixture and when the time finally arrives it is possible that London could be under 30cm of snow. If that happens there will be no game.
Nonetheless, whatever happens there was enough of interest in Wenger's press conference today (Tuesday). He told assembled reporters that Fabregas's and Clichy's recovery was going well, that he expects Cesc to be available for the Villa game on the 27th January, which sounds better than the press cries of, "Fabregas out until the end of January".
If he is fit for Villa that would suit just fine and doesn't give a sense of impending crisis that some would have us believe.We should be able to deal with Bolton twice and Everton at home before needing Fabregas back.
Wenger believes Arsenal can weather the "injury crisis", as most of his players are now on the road to recovery. Arshavin and Denilson are ready when needed and will play if the match goes ahead, and Bendtner is back in training.
Denilson to cover for Song
Wenger gave the impression that Denilson was his natural replacement for Song; he felt he was more suited to being a holding midfielder than any other candidate.
Transfers
Once again he asserted that he wants to do business as quickly as possible, he couldn't give any names and it was "slow at the moment". A contradiction that he did not give any solution to.
Vieira no no no
When asked would he take Vieira back, his reply was clear, he respected everything Vieira had done for the club, but he had too many young players for his position, he couldn't guarantee Patrick games, and he needed games
The Coyle Method
Wenger was asked was he worried by the fact that Bolton would have a new manager, Owen Coyle, Wenger was not concerned he always expected a hard game when playing Bolton. Nor was he worried by the physical aspect, he believed his team could deal with that now. He was too polite to add that Coyle hasn't won a game away all season in the Premiership. Of course that might upset fans who believe in the myth of the curse of the new manager.
Smells like team spirit
Asked why he thought Arsenal had the edge in the Championship race he replied that the team has a great hunger and solidarity. True they had not won anything yet, but they had grown together and they could do it.
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2010:01:06:21:17:40 by Padre Pio.
Good news if the estimation works out to be right. Especially considering the next 3 games after the Villa game. ManUre, Chelsea. Liverpool. i dare say it'd be a great help to get our talisman back!
"When we had to suffer the team is a lion because they suffer together." 4 July 2020 at Wolverhampton Wanderers
Arteta on his team's first away victory at a club above them in the Premiership since September 2015 at Leicester.
In Wengerese:
"Oh F**k!! C'mon Cesc.
Don't make a liar out of me!
Come back on 27-Jan, and not on 27-Feb!!!"
snows stopped everything!
"When we had to suffer the team is a lion because they suffer together." 4 July 2020 at Wolverhampton Wanderers
Arteta on his team's first away victory at a club above them in the Premiership since September 2015 at Leicester.