Wenger dampens Kroenke theory
Arsene Wenger maintains his close friendship with David Dein plays
no part in the role he holds as manager at Arsenal.
Arsene Wenger maintains his close friendship with David Dein plays
no part in the role he holds as manager at Arsenal.
The Gunners boss found himself fielding questions about
off-the-field matters following this afternoon's conclusion of the
Emirates Cup, which finished with a 2-1 win over Inter Milan for
the hosts to claim the trophy.
Wenger was photographed with former Arsenal vice-chairman Dein -
who left the club last season following "irreconcilable
differences" with the board - after the pair had dinner together in
London last week"
The Frenchman, however, insisted it was "simply" a meeting between
two friends and that topics exchanged certainly did not include a
potential buy-out of the club by American shareholder Stan
Kroenke.
"The story is as simple as ever," Wenger insisted.
"I've been friends with David Dein before I was at Arsenal. I was
friends with him during his stay here and I'm still friends since
he's departed. It's as simple as that.
"I said the other day, I know I have a responsibility here and I
want to stand up for it.
"My friendship with David is something different.
"For a long period it was mixed with the life of the club, but it
is no longer mixed with that."
Wenger maintained: "We didn't discuss the future at Arsenal.
"He still asked me how it was going at Arsenal, how is the team
going? I have no influence in the shareholders.
"I've never been a shareholder. I'm an employee who is responsible
for the technical side of the club."
