Arsene 10 Years to Go – Preview PSV

Team Coach
By Andy Strouthous
November 25 2004

It has become very fashionable to demean Wenger’s achievements because in his eight years tenure he has failed to win the European Cup.

Wenger has 10 years to catch up –Preview PSV  Just like my parent’s could point to the better and more successful boy down the road, so the press point out that Arsenal cannot be great until they have achieved what the manager down the road has achieved – i.e. the European Cup in 1999.

Yes it is great achievement, which Arsene wants to emulate, but I don’t remember the constant criticism of Ferguson’s first 13 years of managing that it took him to win the trophy. As Ferguson himself admits one European Cup in 18 years is not as successful as he would like.

So if Arsene can win one European Cup in 18 years he will join illustrious company. But lets not rush things, of course I would like to win it this year but if we don’t the future can only be better. Soon there will be more money – and that’s important- we have to remember that the weakness in defence reflects the fact that Arsene has not had money to spend. Old red nose likes to pretend that Man U are poor compared to Chelsea, but Arsene could not bid for Ferdinand or Rooney, its clear that two class centre backs are not enough. Maybe he will be able to buy at Xmas; I am not sure how good Ebuoe is.

Oh the preview – who knows that’s the wonder of football – who expected 5-1 against Inter Milan? We have a good record against PSV and its increasingly likely Campbell will play, but even then our defence might concede. But PSV needs a win to guarantee top spot, so they will have to attack at some stage. I think our attack will be more important than the defence, they must get goals. A win would be best but a draw won’t be disastrous. It would mean that PSV would have to go for at least a draw in their final match, whilst we would have to beat Rosenborg at home. However Arsene never plays for a draw so no doubt there will be the usual hairy moments.