http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/columnists/lawro/
IT IS the ultimate test for any manager - have the same resources
as everyone else over five years and see who comes out on
top.
And for me, Arsene Wenger would win every time, not just ahead of
Jose Mourinho but in front of every other Premiership
manager.
It was an interesting challenge set down by the Arsenal manager in
the build-up to tomorrow's Carling Cup Final.
There have been a lot of digs this week with Mourinho taking a
pot-shot at Wenger for never having won the Champions League.
Wenger hit back by saying that you do not have to be a great
manager to win the Champions League and, when you consider the job
he has done at Arsenal, that is definitely true. No one is
suggesting that Mourinho is anything other than a brilliant manager
and winning the Champions League with Porto proves that.
It is not Mourinho's fault either that Chelsea's owner Roman
Abramovich is willing to throw millions at being successful.
If Abramovich loses interest then Chelsea are in trouble, but
Mourinho is making hay while the sun shines. But it still takes
skill to build winning teams and Mourinho has done that at Stamford
Bridge.
Wenger, meanwhile, is different. He has had to balance the books
while working on a limited budget. That is what sets Wenger apart.
He has taken control of the club on all levels and that is why if
you gave every manager the same resources then Wenger would come
out on top.
He has built and rebuilt several teams at Arsenal, bringing in
Nicolas Anelka, Emmanuel Petit, Marc Overmars and Patrick Vieira
and selling them for a huge profit.
That is great management and Wenger also creates teams who are a
joy to watch and play with great style.
No one can underestimate the job he has done at Arsenal, turning
them from "boring, boring Arsenal" into the Premiership's great
entertainers. He has transformed the whole style and image of the
club.
Now you look at the latest crop of kids who will play in the cup
final and the one thing that stands out is their technique. That is
also a tremendous tribute to Wenger's methods as a coach.
Look at two players as an example. Emmanuel Adebayor (below)
arrived at Arsenal and gained a reputation as a rather ungainly and
wasteful striker.
He has grown, matured and improved into a top striker.
Then there is Denilson. Sir Trevor Brooking has been banging on
about technique and a simple comparison between Denilson and, say,
Theo Walcott, says all you need to know about the difference
between English kids and Brazilians, Italians and Spanish.
Bang a ball really hard into Denilson's feet and he kills it stone
dead and can knock it straight on. It might take a second touch for
Walcott.
That is not belittling Walcott or his ability and there is no doubt
that he is at the right club to improve. But Arsenal have bought
potential rather than the finished article.
But if you look at what Wenger did for Thierry Henry who has
developed into the best striker in the world it once again tells
you much about the manager's abilities.
This game, though, will come down to what happens in midfield and
Chelsea's mix of experience, power and strength against Arsenal's
youth, technique and skill.
I believe it will be a draw after extra-time and then it will be
penalties. A fascinating contest, a clash of cultures and showdown
between two great managers.
