Young Gunners to Play NextGen Tournament
Arsenal FC have decided to enter their youth team in this year’s NextGen youth football tournament. Last year’s inaugural version of the tournament, which was won by Inter Milan, boosted the participating teams’ young players’ confidence and therefore, the Gunners have also decided to join it.
The North London club’s manager Arsene Wenger told Arsenal.com: “We are excited about joining the NextGen Series next season. It’s a very good challenge to confront yourselves with the best young players in Europe.
“We have spoken to Inter Milan, who practiced at our training ground ahead of a NextGen match, and they said their players improved tremendously through the season because of the quality of the competition. You play against the best players of your age and it will be a very interesting experience for us. It’s also a good way to assess your players and to give you an idea of the future potential of the club.”
Van Persie Credits Wenger for Career-Defining Decision
Arsenal captain Robin van Persie has revealed that he would never have become the kind of goal scoring centre-forward he is now, if it wasn’t for coach Arsene Wenger.
The Gunners captain used to play as a secondary striker until two years ago, when Wenger sold Emmanuel Adebayor to Manchester City and instead of buying a new centre-forward, he told van Persie to assume the club’s goal scoring responsibilities.
In an interview with Arsenal Player, the Dutchman said: “I never really thought that I would end up as a main striker.I actually never played there before – I did it a couple of times at youth level but it was nothing really special.
“We only tried it when Adebayor went. The boss didn’t buy someone else because he was convinced I could do it. I wasn’t even convinced about it. I wasn’t so sure, because I didn’t really play there so much. Then, in pre-season, we had a game against Inter Milan. I scored a good goal, played well and he told me after the game, ‘You see? It will work’.”
Trophy Drought Frustrates Szczesny
Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny has said that the Gunners’ failure to end their trophy drought this season is a source of immense frustration for him.
The Polish custodian was able to establish himself as Arsenal’s number one goalie this season. But while the 2011/12 campaign went pretty well for him on a personal level, the Gunners were unable to lift any silverware for the seventh consecutive season.
Szczesny told Arsenal.com: “I would’ve been more satisfied if we had won any trophies. My goal at the beginning of the season was to win trophies for this club and I haven’t won any, so that’s always a big disappointment. But it’s my first full season in professional football, I’m enjoying it, and I think I’ve been quite consistent considering my age.”
Wenger Lost Faith in Me, Says Arshavin
Zenit St Petersburg’s attacking midfielder Andrey Arshavin feels that coach Arsene Wenger had lost confidence in his abilities, which is why he had to switch teams.
The Russian playmaker’s form suffered a sharp decline in the 2011/12 season and he looked a shadow of his former self. As a result, his playing time for Arsenal also shrank and with the European Championships set to take place this summer, he decided to make a loan switch to his former club Zenit in the January transfer window.
In an interview with The Daily Mirror, Arshavin said: “I left Arsenal in February to try and regain my level to play for Russia and after the last few months with Zenit I believe it was a successful choice. The offer from Zenit was good in every sense. If I had stayed in London then I am convinced that my chance to make the final squad for Russia would have passed.
“I suffered different problems at Arsenal. I lost the confidence of the coach. I wasn’t sure why. But I wasn’t getting the chances to play. I’m now with Zenit – and again after the Euros. After the Euros, I will study my future, think about it. And I would like to talk to Wenger before I make any decision.”
Gervinho: Gunners Should Be Proud Of Holding Third Position
Arsenal winger Gervinho has said that if the Gunners manage to finish third in the league at the end of the season, then it would be an achievement worth being proud of.
Coach Arsene Wenger’s charges suffered a horrific start to the 2011/12 season and at one point found themselves floundering on the 17th spot. But they came back strongly in the second half of the season and are now favourites for the third position ahead of Tottenham, Newcastle and Chelsea.
Gervinho believes that considering the nature of Arsenal’s poor start; it would be a proud feat if they are able to lock down the third position. The Ivorian told Arsenal Player: “We want to be among the top three. The whole group is very motivated and we are already happy to be where we are.
“We can still do better with the four matches coming. We are fighting only for third place, we don’t think about fourth spot. Everybody is determined to fight until the end, from the players and the manager to the fans, to maintain third place. If we manage to keep it then everybody should be proud because we fought very hard for it.”
Receive a digest of our best Arsenal content each week direct to your mailbox
