After Joan Laporta’s concern about the physical demands of playing international football, Arsenal’s Arsene Wenger says he’s worried his youngsters will be under too much pressure after playing for their country.
Following the 3-2 defeat of Sunderland on Sunday, Wenger looked ahead to the 10-day international break involving about 15 of his multi-national squad. “They will come back after playing two games with a lot of pressure on because many countries now play decisive games.
“Then when you come back, you play straight away in the championship and the Champions League again. It is too much.”
Too much pressure, Arsene? It is only October, your boys are top of the Premier League, playing wonderful football, scoring at will and are as happy as ever, except for injured German goalkeeper Jens Lehmann, of course.
After winning their first two Champions League games, Arsenal know they will have to implode spectacularly not to qualify for the knock-out stages so there’s not much to worry about on that front until next year.
Sure, some of them will be playing in important European Championship qualifiers in the next seven days. But on the plus side most of them have been living abroad so long that flying home and being able to speak their own language should give them a real boost. And if they have young kids, the peace and quiet will come in pretty handy too.
Personally, I think Wenger was worried about the reception his five French players were likely to get from Thierry Henry ahead of the Faroes Islands and Lithuania qualifiers. Henry’s departure has plainly liberated players like Mathieu Flamini and Dutchman Robin van Persie, and has allowed Arsenal to develop other routes to goal.
The striker would not be human if he didn’t hope Arsenal would miss him so he’ll probably have Flamini, Abou Diaby and Bakary Sagna carrying his kit and cleaning his boots, just so they don’t forget the man who used to be king.
Robert Woodward, London
PHOTO: Arsenal’s Cesc Fabregas celebrates with Mathieu Flamini after scoring against Sevilla in the Champions League, Sep 19 REUTERS/Dylan Martinez
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3 comments so far
Well, its not just Arsenal but most of the European club teams will face the same issue. With key players on duty to serve their countries for the Euro qualifiers.
But Arsenal surely has no need to worry about this break. International games are demanding on the players as a lot is at stake but I feel, this gives a break for the players from the club level competition and atmosphere. They get to go back meet their fellow country men, refresh and come back. Well, of course wishing, everything goes well and there are no injuries that is.
But yes, Arsenal has a young squad. The Gunners may be at the top of the premier league, keeping this momentum going, and having the players fit through the long season will be a worry, not just for the manager but also for the clubs fans.
- Posted by Nachiket KelkarIt’s going to be slightly tougher for Arsenal now, having their young players called up to international squads at such tender age. When Man Utd’s kids won the Premership in 1996 in the famous “you’ll never win anything with kids” season, none of were internationals.
Beckham didn’t get picked until the following season, Scholes and Butt even later than that, Gary Neville may have had the odd cap, but there were fewer matches as well.
Arsenal’s momentum can be seriously affected by this international break and Wenger clearly realises it - we’ll see if his skills can identify the players who come back jaded and he can make the right changes.
- Posted by Sport Bloggerarsenal would moan if they won anything, we need more exciting managers, keano, pearce with passion for the game not just these foreign idiots that dont care about anything but there salary, same with sven regardless of his managerial ability the man sold his soul the day he was offered the villa job as a joke and he accepted, GOLDDIGGERS SHUD BE BAND. BRING BACK YEBOAH
- Posted by badger