Arsene Wenger has so far refused to be drawn on the boardroom battle between Stan Kroenke, who was given a place on the board last year, and second-biggest shareholder Alisher Usmanov. But in this morning’s paper he does throw some light on his opinions of the matter.
He told the Sun: “The only important thing is the club is run properly in every department.
“The most important department in any football club is what is happening on the pitch.
“As long as whoever owns the club doesn’t interfere with what we do on the pitch, then for me it’s OK.
“I spoke to Stan Kroenke at the club’s AGM. He’s really interested in sport because he has two or three clubs in the States.
“He’s interested in sport, he’s interested in football but I do not ask him specifically why he invests at Arsenal. It’s not my problem.”
AW is in reflective mood over former Gunner Matt Upson, who we come up against tomorrow at West Ham in the Premier League.
He told the Independent he feels more than a tinge of regret that the England defender did not stay and fulfil his potential at Arsenal – and he even thought about buying him back.
Wenger said: “I knew he would make a big career. I didn’t stop him [going] because I knew he had qualities to play in the Premiership, but he had players in front of him.
Wenger revealed Upson was a player he had contemplated trying to bring back to Arsenal before he switched to Upton Park. “Yes, he was always in my mind. Upson has good quality, good attitude, good spirit,” said Wenger.
He adds in this morning’s Daily Mail: ‘But of course this is not the best moment to talk about that because he is a player at West Ham.
‘Three, four, five years ago yes, but now he is settled and has a good career where he is.’
Upson is not the first, and highly unlikely to be the last, youngster Wenger brings through at Arsenal.
However, the Gunners boss accepts sometimes they cannot always make the grade in your side.
‘Between the age 18 to 21 is a very sensitive step for a player,’ Wenger observed.
‘You have to make the step. If you don’t make it you become impatient and you lose the players.’
Wenger turned 60 on Thursday, but the burning desire to succeed shows no signs of
fading.
‘Am I happy with all that I have achieved? Certainly not. I expect always more and you can never be completely happy with what you do,’ he said.
‘I have helped to develop the club and gave some great moments of happiness to people who love football and to our fans as well.
‘I have had a positive influence on the career of the players and have respected my duties of this club.’
Wenger added: ‘The only credit that I give to myself is that I work very hard my whole career and always try to improve.
‘You always think you could have achieved more and make better decisions.’
And finally from the Daily Star: West Ham star Valon Behrami will spark a transfer scramble next summer with Arsenal and AC Milan leading the chase for him.
Behrami has been a big hit at Upton Park since his £5m move from Lazio last year.
The versatile star, 24, has been linked with a return to Serie A, with Juventus and Roma interested, and now
Arsene Wenger has joined the race to snare the Switzerland international.
The Gunners chief is keeping tabs on Behrami just in case first-choice right-back Bacary Sagna leaves for Real Madrid.
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