Relieved Wenger hails his Dutch master
Insistent that Arsenal’s season only truly began on September 1, the day after the transfer deadline had passed and the stability of his squad could at last be assured, Wenger could for once reflect on an upturn in fortunes after a week in which his second string side avoided embarrassment against Shrewsbury and his senior players eventually made easy work of a woeful Bolton side.
In fact, the manager was so happy, he even mentioned his captain Robin van Persie, scorer of two goals and his side’s outstanding player, in the same breath as Lionel Messi.
It’s a measure of how badly Arsenal’s form has deteriorated since the Carling Cup defeat to Birmingham last February sapped their belief that a stuttering win could prompt such relief.
Context is all at the Emirates Stadium this season, however, and having wobbled so catastrophically at Blackburn seven days previously, the combination of an inspiring performance from Van Persie combined with a clean sheet was cause enough for a minor celebration.
“That’s a long time ago, I tell you,” said Wenger, when asked when was the last time he could enjoy his Saturday evening.
“I don’t remember the last time. We had some good games but our seasons started two weeks ago, after August 31. And I believe as well we paid a heavy price to knock Udinese out (in the Champions League qualifier) and that was demanding for us and after that it is the first time I feel we have a united squad together.”
Olympiakos are the next visitors to the Emirates Stadium for the Champions League group game on Wednesday and are unlikely to be as meekly compliant as Owen Coyle’s side who presented a compelling case to be relegation candidates.
Victory over the Greek side will strengthen confidence among Wenger’s players, many of whom are still underperforming and had every reason to be grateful for Van Persie’s contribution in breaking Wanderers’ resistance.
The Netherlands forward was installed as club captain in August following the departure of Cesc Fabregas for Barcelona and at times appeared the only one of his team-mates to possess genuine belief in front of goal.
His 46th minute opening goal inspired a much improved second half performance and his second, in the 71st minute after Bolton centre-back David Wheater had been sent off for a foul on Theo Walcott, settled the outcome long before Alex Song’s late third.
Van Persie has never been more important to Arsenal’s plans and the fact he is out of contract in 2013 means there is a real possibility he could be sold next summer if club and player can’t agree new terms.
The player sought talks with Wenger after the departure of Fabregas and Samir Nasri but the manager is confident he will stay at the club.
“If you’re in Robin’s place and you see Nasri going, Fabregas going, then you can be worried of course,” Wenger said.
“I don’t think he will be the next to go. Robin is not from Barcelona.
“I believe that Robin is 28 years old, arrived at 21 or 22 and we will not lose all the players. We lost Fabregas not because of a financial reason.
“You can understand that but the one which is less understandable is Nasri. That was more down to him having a year on his contract.’’
Van Persie is the commanding figure at Arsenal now, on the pitch and in the dressing room, making him key to Wenger’s plans.
“He has matured from the boy who was a little bit emotionally impulsive when he arrived from the guy who is here today,” Wenger added.
“I like it when he speaks up in the dressing room. It’s not easy. He has a combination of leadership on the pitch because he is technically a super talent. He is certainly a super talent technically.”
He added: “I see similarities positional wise with Messi. He comes deep, he likes to turn up front as well.
“Don’t make me make a comparison with Messi! He doesn’t play like a real centre forward. But when you look at his movement around the box he’s very intelligent, goes on diagonal runs.”
Coyle, the Bolton manager, can boast no such talent in his side and, after a daunting run of fixtures, must prepare his side for a survival battle.
“We’ve now faced four of the top teams I believe will finish in the top six this season,” he said.
“We’ve got Chelsea next week so that’s five. We accept we need to do better but we’ve also faced some top teams.”
Not that the Wanderers manager is going to lose perspective.
“You have to give some balance to it,” he said.
“Its football pressure, it’s not pressure of a dad with five kids who has to work to feed his family. But I want to win as much as the next man. Just because I’m chirpy doesn’t mean I’m not disappointed by the result.
“I don’t want to feel sorry for myself, I want to get back on the training ground and rectify it.”
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