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'It Would Be Wrong For Arsenal To Even Think About Losing Arsene Wenger' - Former Manchester United Defender Gary Neville
Ex-Red Devil also believes that Chelsea and Manchester City will mount a title challenge, and feels Liverpool are getting to the point where they need to win the Premier League
11-Aug-2011 2:18:00 PM
By Adithya Ananth
goal.com
Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville believes Arsenal fans would be wrong to call for the head of Arsene Wenger.
The 36-year-old admitted that the Gunners need to win something having gone six years without any silverware, but feels it would be a big mistake to force manager the French boss out, saying he should never be underestimated.
Neville told The Mirror : "Arsenal are a huge football club with massive expectations and you don’t stay there like Arsene has without being an outstanding manager. He is one of the very best.
"Arsene Wenger is still doing an excellent job. He is still in the job because of the level of respect there for him, and the way he gets the best out of young players."
He continued: "Fans at every club are impatient. Arsenal need trophies - that will always be the way - but it would be the wrong thing to even think about losing Arsene Wenger.
"I’m not one of those people who would jump on the bandwagon. I’ve seen Arsene Wenger go head-to-head with Manchester United over 15 years.
"Never underestimate or disrespect what that man can achieve with players and his scouting network."
Neville also believes that Liverpool are itching to put an end to their long wait for the league title.
They are still to win their first title in the Premier League era, while Manchester United have won the competition on 12 occasions since 1993.
Their most recent success, last season, saw manager Sir Alex Ferguson's long standing objective completed as the Red Devils surpassed the Merseysiders by winning a record-breaking 19th title.
The former right-back has drawn a parallel between Kenny Dalglish's men and United's 26-year wait for a league title, which ended in 1992-93.
"Going back to 1992-93, you just become very desperate and very wanting," Neville said.
"You become needy. You feel like its a goal, its a challenge.
"Don’t get me wrong, there is a pressure for Liverpool, United, Arsenal - all the big clubs - that pressure is there, year in year out.
"There is an expectations for these clubs to win titles and trophies year in year out. But it becomes a challenge rather than something to be excited about."
He added: "Going back all those years, it was the greatest moment for United to win that first title after so long.
"I think Liverpool are getting to that point where they need that success now. The club demands it.
"You can see exactly what Kenny Dalglish is trying to do there. He has brought an identity back to the club.
"He has brought back a core of solidity back to the club, which he felt he probably needed.
"With that, at Anfield, they will be extremely difficult to beat. Whether they can go on and win the title this season, I’m not sure."
As for other potential title challengers, Neville is reluctant to brand arch-rivals Manchester City as the main threat, despite their massive squad strengthening in recent times.
"It would be disrespectful to Chelsea to say that Manchester City would be the main challengers," he said.
"City will challenge, there’s no doubt about that. They will threaten. But I look at Chelsea and think of them as being the main challengers for five years now.
"I see no reason why that should change."
The 36-year-old admitted that the Gunners need to win something having gone six years without any silverware, but feels it would be a big mistake to force manager the French boss out, saying he should never be underestimated.
Neville told The Mirror : "Arsenal are a huge football club with massive expectations and you don’t stay there like Arsene has without being an outstanding manager. He is one of the very best.
"Arsene Wenger is still doing an excellent job. He is still in the job because of the level of respect there for him, and the way he gets the best out of young players."
He continued: "Fans at every club are impatient. Arsenal need trophies - that will always be the way - but it would be the wrong thing to even think about losing Arsene Wenger.
"I’m not one of those people who would jump on the bandwagon. I’ve seen Arsene Wenger go head-to-head with Manchester United over 15 years.
"Never underestimate or disrespect what that man can achieve with players and his scouting network."
Neville also believes that Liverpool are itching to put an end to their long wait for the league title.
They are still to win their first title in the Premier League era, while Manchester United have won the competition on 12 occasions since 1993.
Their most recent success, last season, saw manager Sir Alex Ferguson's long standing objective completed as the Red Devils surpassed the Merseysiders by winning a record-breaking 19th title.
The former right-back has drawn a parallel between Kenny Dalglish's men and United's 26-year wait for a league title, which ended in 1992-93.
"Going back to 1992-93, you just become very desperate and very wanting," Neville said.
"You become needy. You feel like its a goal, its a challenge.
"Don’t get me wrong, there is a pressure for Liverpool, United, Arsenal - all the big clubs - that pressure is there, year in year out.
"There is an expectations for these clubs to win titles and trophies year in year out. But it becomes a challenge rather than something to be excited about."
He added: "Going back all those years, it was the greatest moment for United to win that first title after so long.
"I think Liverpool are getting to that point where they need that success now. The club demands it.
"You can see exactly what Kenny Dalglish is trying to do there. He has brought an identity back to the club.
"He has brought back a core of solidity back to the club, which he felt he probably needed.
"With that, at Anfield, they will be extremely difficult to beat. Whether they can go on and win the title this season, I’m not sure."
As for other potential title challengers, Neville is reluctant to brand arch-rivals Manchester City as the main threat, despite their massive squad strengthening in recent times.
"It would be disrespectful to Chelsea to say that Manchester City would be the main challengers," he said.
"City will challenge, there’s no doubt about that. They will threaten. But I look at Chelsea and think of them as being the main challengers for five years now.
"I see no reason why that should change."
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