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Arsene Wenger ignores 'predictable headlines' ahead of Arsenal's match against John Terry-led Chelsea
Frenchman hopes Gunners can inspire surprising column inches...
6 Feb 2010 11:45:00
By Tony Corbin
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is not shocked by the press furore surrounding Chelsea's John Terry, but insists he's far more interested in on the field affairs ahead of his team’s visit to Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
Terry still has the backing of club manager Carlo Ancelotti despite being stripped of the England captaincy by Fabio Capello on Friday following newspaper allegations about the Chelsea star’s private life.
Although the story grabbed the nation's attention, Wenger it seems, wasn’t interested in reading about the centre-back's off-field antics.
"It never surprises me because the headlines are quite predicable,” the Frenchman is quoted as saying in a press conference.
"It must provoke an interest for people because if a newspaper writes, it is because people read it and there must be a demand for it.
"But I am interested in football more, what is happening on the pitch, a good pass, good vision, a good team spirit. If people like to read it, why not? But I am not a big fan of that."
Wenger’s favoured subject, however, must still be causing him some anguish following last week's defeat by Manchester United, although he believes there have been lessons learned.
"The biggest regret I have from the game against Manchester United is that we gave them too much freedom and allowed them to play too much in a game where we should have been dictating," Belfast Telegraph quotes Wenger as saying.
"My team wanted it so much that sometimes you can be a little bit restricted and our target is to get that freedom to play against Chelsea.
"I believe we should be more relaxed at this time because at the start of the season nobody expected us in the top four or in the title race.
"Now, instead of being intimidated, I believe we have to really have a go because we are entitled to have it."
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Terry still has the backing of club manager Carlo Ancelotti despite being stripped of the England captaincy by Fabio Capello on Friday following newspaper allegations about the Chelsea star’s private life.
Although the story grabbed the nation's attention, Wenger it seems, wasn’t interested in reading about the centre-back's off-field antics.
"It never surprises me because the headlines are quite predicable,” the Frenchman is quoted as saying in a press conference.
"It must provoke an interest for people because if a newspaper writes, it is because people read it and there must be a demand for it.
"But I am interested in football more, what is happening on the pitch, a good pass, good vision, a good team spirit. If people like to read it, why not? But I am not a big fan of that."
Wenger’s favoured subject, however, must still be causing him some anguish following last week's defeat by Manchester United, although he believes there have been lessons learned.
"The biggest regret I have from the game against Manchester United is that we gave them too much freedom and allowed them to play too much in a game where we should have been dictating," Belfast Telegraph quotes Wenger as saying.
"My team wanted it so much that sometimes you can be a little bit restricted and our target is to get that freedom to play against Chelsea.
"I believe we should be more relaxed at this time because at the start of the season nobody expected us in the top four or in the title race.
"Now, instead of being intimidated, I believe we have to really have a go because we are entitled to have it."
| Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game |
|
| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
|
| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
| Sign up with Paddy Power - Bet £10, Get £20! |
|
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