Wenger’s such a tease – Bergkamp and Preview

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By Boris Mellor
May 15 2005

As Wenger faced the press, after the Everton day massacre, I was reminded of pantomime. The press wanted to know would he be giving another year to Dennis.

 Arsene, all deadpan, told the throng that he needed to check if Bergkamp actually wanted to stay. But he has said so in the newspapers, the hacks replied. Ah yes replied Wenger but we cannot trust what we read in the papers (or words to that effect). The journos giggled, but I was shouting BEHIND YOU. For in the previous match programme Bergkamp had clearly stated he was up for another year. Now if you can’t believe the Arsenal Programme what can you believe?

In his latest, and subsequent, press conference Wenger was all smiles as he said he would see what could be done for Dennis. He would like him to help the kids. It all adds up to Bergkamp staying – so why the pantomime? Partly its Wenger showing the press that he sets the agenda not them, but secondly he wants Bergy to understand he is welcome to stay, but not as first choice. Arsene has the kids to think of, he doesn’t want to block them any more than necessary. Arsene is not sentimental, he wants Bergkamp to be clear what the conditions are.

Oh yes the preview

Does the match really matter, the fat lady has sung, Chelsea are first, Arsenal second, and Man U are American. Birmingham are safe, if not underachievers. There is little to play for.

Except Arsene is a driven man, he will not allow any easing off before the final. Besides he wants 86 points, four points less than last year. To him that will justify the season, and put Arsenal in pole position to challenge Chelsea. But what does 86 points prove? For Wenger it will prove that with the loss of players due to injuries, and with the use of youngsters, Arsenal only just missed being as good as their unbeaten season. Also that criticism is unfounded and unfair, that a team on a quarter of the Budget has managed to keep Chelsea in its sights until almost the last. If it had been left to the listless United the season would have finished a month earlier. This team has lost only four games in over two seasons, it has not lost two games in a row for a 102 games, but all that is still not good enough for some. It’s Wenger’s way of calling his tormentors tossers.

 

SHOCK NEWS

So Arsenal will be up for it at Birmingham. Once again there will be rotation. Things were looking good until late last night when the People newspaper reported that Henry and Reyes are out due to injuries in training. Worse than that, Henry's season could be over. Ljungberg will get a half, minutes, as will Campbell, Senderos, and Toure will both play as Lauren has "blood poisoning". No doubt Van Persie will get a game, and Dennis and Pires, might be rested.  So it’s a chance for Wenger to fine tune his tactics, sharpen up 14 players, and rest others. It is important, as it’s the dress rehearsal for the big one next Saturday.