Football: Arsenal Manager Arsene Wenger hails his new team ‘captains’

Published: 13 October, 2011
by STEVE BARNETT

ARSENE Wenger is calling for his “captains” to help challenge for honours and prove that he made the right moves in the summer transfer market.

The Frenchman was criticised for making what seemed like a batch of last-minute buys as Per Mertesacker, Santos, Mikel Arteta, Yossi Benayoun and Ju Young Park all joined Arsenal in a frantic spending spree.

Despite some fans questioning the calibre of the signings brought in, Wenger is confident the influx of experienced players will help the Gunners if they are in a position to challenge for silverware next spring.

“Sometimes we are reproached for not having enough captains in our squad, now we have plenty,” Wenger told the Official Arsenal Magazine.

“Overall we have more experience and this could be important if we are in a strong position in March or April.

“That could have a big part to play. We got criticised a lot last season for not getting over the line, but I believe that we were so close, so, so close that it was unbelievable to accept,” he said.

“Also last year we lost important players in March and April because we went for all the trophies, so hopefully now we have the squad to do it. In every position you always have number one, two and three, knowing there is a not a lot between them.

But basically I’m very happy with the signings we made and my challenge now is to prove that I made the right decisions.

“I have great belief in the players I bought in and I am convinced they will prove me right,” the manager said.