Chat 212 - Sports Summary...
- Arsene Wenger Said - November will give a much clearer indication of where everyone lies
- Wenger insisted it was 'ridiculous' to suggest his side were title contenders just seven games into the campaign
Chat 212 - Sportsmail Report...
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger turned in a bullish performance at the club’s AGM and insisted his team are ready to win the Premier League title this season.
Wenger had previously insisted it was 'ridiculous' to suggest his side were title contenders just seven games into the campaign, but he was far more upbeat in his assessment as he addressed shareholders at Emirates Stadium.
"We have huge ambition to win the league this season," he said.
"We are top [of the table], in a very strong position, but the end of November will give a much clearer indication of where everyone lies.
"From the end of March until now, we have lost just one match and it created a huge emotion. It was the first game of the season and we hadn’t bought anyone, so I understood it. We have shown great mental strength since then.
"The Premier League is tight again this season and we need your support. We’ve had moments at the Emirates where we’ve not had that, but it’s our job to also inspire you and I am confident that at the end of May, we will all be very happy."
Wenger went on to insist that the club record signing of Mesut Ozil is not an indication that he has changed his philosophy of developing young players and developing them into his starting lineup.
The Arsenal manager outlined his vision for the club moving forward, and insisted the ambition to unearth world-class talent through their scouting network and their junior ranks remains a priority in the coming years.
Wenger’s confident performance confirmed that the mood has changed since last year’s AGM when fans criticised the board's decision to sell Robin van Persie to Manchester United.
Yet it was his insistence that one major signing does not change his overall plan to keep a controlled spending agenda that will intrigue Gunners followers who may have been hoping Ozil’s arrival was the sign of a change of direction for the club.
"The number of clubs with money is getting bigger, that’s why I believe developing our own players is the best route," Wenger said.
"We were restricted financially and had to be strict, but we have come out of that. However, we have to defend our style of play and values, that comes from developing our own players, with youth policy and that should be core of our club.
"The future of Arsenal will rely on quality of work we do inside, to scout and develop. We will also look to buy proven quality. We did not need to scout to buy Ozil, it was just money. I am pleased we have shown you we are not afraid to spend."
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger turned in a bullish performance at the club’s AGM and insisted his team are ready to win the Premier League title this season.
Wenger had previously insisted it was 'ridiculous' to suggest his side were title contenders just seven games into the campaign, but he was far more upbeat in his assessment as he addressed shareholders at Emirates Stadium.
"We have huge ambition to win the league this season," he said.
"We are top [of the table], in a very strong position, but the end of November will give a much clearer indication of where everyone lies.
"From the end of March until now, we have lost just one match and it created a huge emotion. It was the first game of the season and we hadn’t bought anyone, so I understood it. We have shown great mental strength since then.
"The Premier League is tight again this season and we need your support. We’ve had moments at the Emirates where we’ve not had that, but it’s our job to also inspire you and I am confident that at the end of May, we will all be very happy."
Wenger went on to insist that the club record signing of Mesut Ozil is not an indication that he has changed his philosophy of developing young players and developing them into his starting lineup.
The Arsenal manager outlined his vision for the club moving forward, and insisted the ambition to unearth world-class talent through their scouting network and their junior ranks remains a priority in the coming years.
Wenger’s confident performance confirmed that the mood has changed since last year’s AGM when fans criticised the board's decision to sell Robin van Persie to Manchester United.
Yet it was his insistence that one major signing does not change his overall plan to keep a controlled spending agenda that will intrigue Gunners followers who may have been hoping Ozil’s arrival was the sign of a change of direction for the club.
"The number of clubs with money is getting bigger, that’s why I believe developing our own players is the best route," Wenger said.
"We were restricted financially and had to be strict, but we have come out of that. However, we have to defend our style of play and values, that comes from developing our own players, with youth policy and that should be core of our club.
"The future of Arsenal will rely on quality of work we do inside, to scout and develop. We will also look to buy proven quality. We did not need to scout to buy Ozil, it was just money. I am pleased we have shown you we are not afraid to spend."
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