Wenger: I tried to sign Chelsea pair Cech, Makelele And Eto

ghimpheng SG

tribalfooball.com - October 04, 2006

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has revealed he missed the chance to sign Barcelona star Sammy Eto'o and Chelsea pair Petr Cech and Claude Makelele.
"Claude Makelele was close to signing for us, Samuel Eto'o too, and I missed a few," said Wenger.

"I have been offered many players, like [Petr] Cech, who could have done well for us.

"Makelele was straight after Vieira came [August 1996], it was very early when he was still in Nantes, and Eto'o, just before he joined Barcelona [August 2004], it was between us and Barcelona."

it is over stop pondering over it and if you had signed this 3 players u might not have 49 games unbeaten run as the history will be changed and u will not have money to buy henry anymore

ghimpheng SG

Arsenal boss Wenger: Rooney dived to end our unbeaten run
tribalfooball.com - October 04, 2006

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger insists Wayne Rooney dived as Manchester United ended their unbeaten run at Old Trafford two years ago.

Wenger revealed he is still somewhat irked by the way his side lost their 49-match unbeaten Premiership run at Old Trafford in October 2004.

Wenger recalled: "I feel the penalty awarded by [referee Mike] Riley in our 50th game was a completely invented penalty. That is a decision which I regret.

"[Wayne] Rooney dived on that occasion.

"It was on a day when we did not deserve to lose."

That match was also followed by the infamous 'Battle of the Buffet' in the players' tunnel.

Wenger, though, insists his relationship with great rival Sir Alex Ferguson, the Manchester United manager, has now mellowed somewhat.

He said: "There is less aggression than there was before because we have both calmed down, and our relationship has become in a much more normal way.

"I hope we can continue at that level."

too bad for wenger or else maybe can get 50 plus more games unbeaten run

ghimpheng SG

Arsenal No1 Lehmann puts penalty list up for auction
tribalfooball.com - October 04, 2006

Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann is set to put his secret penalty instructions up for auction!

The Germany goalkeeper, who saved two Argentina spot-kicks during their quarter-final shoot-out, said the note had been hard to read because it was written in pencil and damp with sweat.

Studying the paper between each kick may have unnerved the Argentinians, however, and helped Germany through to the semi-finals where they lost to Italy. Lehmann told German television the note, which has also appeared in a documentary about the World Cup, would be auctioned for charity.

In translation it reads: 1. Riquelme left high; 2. Crespo long run/right, short run/left; 3. Heinze left low; 4. Ayala long wait, long run right; 5. Messi left; 6. Aimar long wait left; 7. Rodriguez left.

i am sure someone will buy but what the purpose of buying it

ghimpheng SG

Hleb key to Arsenal away form
tribalfooball.com - October 04, 2006

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has revealed he urges Aleksandr Hleb to push forward when playing away from home.

The Belarus midfielder was impressive on Saturday at Charlton and set up the first goal for Robin van Persie. The Dutchman, who went on to score a superb second in the 2-1 win, was playing in a withdrawn striker's role on the left hand side. From the manager's perspective, it is a formation that allows the midfielders to flourish.

"I feel away from home especially it gives more licence to Hleb and Fabregas to go forward," said Wenger. "We look a little bit more balanced and we have got our best results like this.

"Hleb played very well. He is getting better and better. In the first half when we were in trouble I felt he took the ball and created things.

"You could see when Rosicky came on as well that there is some class in these players and they can create football that is not only efficient but attractive to watch."

i did not knew hleb was that good.........I only know Cesc is a good player and will be a great playmaker in the future

Dead_Man_Inc SG

bias against arsenal just because wenger said something about chelsea?

mikael silvestre also commented about chelsea too...

ghimpheng SG

huh ? did i insult wenger or comment any negative about him ? Rolling Eyes

wenger is a great manager ! who would disrespect him must be a a soccer nerd or something