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Standard Liege's Boloni Believes Arsenal Are Not Amongst Europe's Best
Voach Boloni admires faith in youth, but believes Arsenal not an elite European side.
Nov 23, 2009 4:42:35 PM
Standard Liege coach Laszlo Boloni has revealed an admiration for Arsene Wenger's football philosophy, but feels that Arsenal will come short of Champions League success this season.
Arsenal had been unbeaten for 13 matches before Saturday's Premier League defeat at Sunderland, where Wenger's side failed to produce the calibre of football that saw them overturn a two goal deficit to defeat Liege in the opening group fixture of this season's Champions League campaign.
Boloni has indicated that this performance perhaps highlighted a weakness in Wenger's side, and, whilst in awe of his counterpart's vision, the Romanian coach believes that Arsenal lack the quality of Europe's elite sides.
"I feel the policy of Arsenal is something really incredible and admirable," Boloni told a press conference.
"Arsene Wenger's policy and the way he manages is very intelligent, and the way he manages his game is also very intelligent.
"I remember discussing with him when I was a young trainer, I was really admiring his intelligence and also his vision about the future of the club - but in comparison to Real Madrid, Barcelona or Chelsea, maybe they lack something."
With Boloni's side needing to gain a point to keep their own European hopes alive, he expects a tough encounter at the Emirates.
"Arsenal have some warriors in their team, they are not young lambs," he said.
"It is easy to say 'to go to war', but without the ball it is very difficult.
"We must have strength to do more than that.
"We will be organized and with our strength we will try to do the maximum so that they will respect us."
Boloni added: "It is always great to come to England and to come to come to such a stadium - it is really a football temple.
"It would be good to be happy when we leave the stadium as well."
Nick Price, Goal.com
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Arsenal had been unbeaten for 13 matches before Saturday's Premier League defeat at Sunderland, where Wenger's side failed to produce the calibre of football that saw them overturn a two goal deficit to defeat Liege in the opening group fixture of this season's Champions League campaign.
Boloni has indicated that this performance perhaps highlighted a weakness in Wenger's side, and, whilst in awe of his counterpart's vision, the Romanian coach believes that Arsenal lack the quality of Europe's elite sides.
"I feel the policy of Arsenal is something really incredible and admirable," Boloni told a press conference.
"Arsene Wenger's policy and the way he manages is very intelligent, and the way he manages his game is also very intelligent.
"I remember discussing with him when I was a young trainer, I was really admiring his intelligence and also his vision about the future of the club - but in comparison to Real Madrid, Barcelona or Chelsea, maybe they lack something."
With Boloni's side needing to gain a point to keep their own European hopes alive, he expects a tough encounter at the Emirates.
"Arsenal have some warriors in their team, they are not young lambs," he said.
"It is easy to say 'to go to war', but without the ball it is very difficult.
"We must have strength to do more than that.
"We will be organized and with our strength we will try to do the maximum so that they will respect us."
Boloni added: "It is always great to come to England and to come to come to such a stadium - it is really a football temple.
"It would be good to be happy when we leave the stadium as well."
Nick Price, Goal.com
Want more from Goal.com delivered right to your door? Introducing "Goal.com Magazine." Subscribe now!
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