‘United Nations’ spirit the key for Wenger

ARSENAL boss Arsene Wenger has identified the unbreakable team spirit of his ‘United Nations’ squad as the key factor behind the champions’ ongoing bid to go through an entire Premiership season unbeaten.

Fri, 07 May, 2004 - 01:00

Mark Bradley

Wenger accepts it can be easier for British players to bond together, just as the club drew strength from the likes of Tony Adams, Steve Bould, David Seaman, Lee Dixon and Nigel Winterburn in the past.

However, Arsenal have this season used a total of 34 players, qualified for 15 different countries, in their first-team matches and, while some have played more often than others, they have all played their part.

Above all, Wenger believes they have maintained the strong spirit within the club which has enabled them to remain unbeaten throughout 36 league games ahead of Sunday’s trip to Fulham.

“We have been consistent because we have a great team spirit. When the spirit is questioned, the foreign players come in [and show they have it],” he said. “People might think we have just assembled a few players together, but spirit can be created by those who come in if they love the club, no matter where they come from.”

The 34 players who have so far represented Arsenal this season in either the Premiership, Champions League, Carling Cup, FA Cup or Community Shield are:

England (10) Sol Campbell, Ashley Cole, Ray Parlour, Martin Keown, David Bentley, Justin Hoyte, Jerome Thomas, Ryan Smith, John Spicer, Francis Jeffers.

France (7) Patrick Vieira, Thierry Henry, Robert Pires, Sylvain Wiltord, Gael Clichy, Jeremie Aliadiere, Pascal Cygan.

Holland (3) Dennis Bergkamp, Quincy Owusu-Abeyie, Giovanni van Bronckhorst.

Spain (2) Jose Reyes, Francesc Fabregas.

Brazil (2) Gilberto, Edu.

Sweden (1) Fredrik Ljungberg.

Ivory Coast (1) Kolo Toure.

Cameroon (1) Lauren.

Germany (1) Jens Lehmann.

Nigeria (1) Kanu.

Irish Republic (1) Graham Stack.

Greece (1) Stathis Tavlaridis.

Czech Republic (1) Michal Papadopulos.