Arsene Wenger is not prepared to be labelled as the villain of
English football.
Media reports on Friday morning suggested a PFA dossier had singled
out the Arsenal manager for his recruitment of youngsters. It
argued his policy of bringing through foreign talent was damaging
home-grown players.
At his press conference on Friday, Wenger countered by re-iterating
his belief that English football must look forward and beyond
national boundaries.
When a guy sits in the stands at Arsenal Football Club and sees a
fantastic cross and a volley, he doesn't think 'Eboue, where does
he come from?' he said. He either enjoys it or he doesn't.
Arsenal has done a lot for the popularity of the game all over the
world. I think that is the most important thing for me, not to see
where the players come from. What is important is that people who
pay £60 enjoy what they see.
It is not my responsibility that the English national does well. I
am happy if they do well but it is not my first priority.
However, at the same time, I'm in a job where I have to accept
sometimes to be blamed for things I am not necessarily responsible
for. From 1966 to 1996 England had no foreigners, and you didn't
win anything more, or anything less.
Wenger also argued that, to a certain extent, finances had directed
his transfer policy.
"At Arsenal Football Club I have to see how can I compete with Man
United and Chelsea, said the Frenchman. It has to be in a
different way - with our resources - it is as simple as that.
"We had to try in our own way to be successful and this was to buy
young players. But I must say we have young English players as
well as top players like Hoyte and Walcott - who are very good and
maybe they will come out and play.
