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Dalglish tells critics to get off Wenger's back
Published 23:01 19/08/11 By David Anderson
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He may have given him a mouthful when they last met, but Kenny Dalglish swears Arsene Wenger is still the best man to lead Arsenal.
While Dalglish insists his touchline bust-up with Wenger over Liverpool’s late penalty equaliser back in April is history, he is adamant the Frenchman is most definitely not.
The Liverpool boss says the snipers should remember Wenger's track record as the north London club’s most successful manager.
Dalglish claims the critics are wrong to question Wenger over Cesc Fabregas’ return to boyhood cub Barcelona and Samir Nasri’s desire to follow him through the Emirates exit, insisting he has always sold well.
“Arsene has had some **criticism recently, but it’s very seldom that managers are praised,” said the Scot. “He’s been fantastic for that football club. That doesn’t exempt him from criticism, but it’s something people should remember.
“When they were in a bit of trouble, he guided them through it. And he’s always been a fantastic seller of players – Petit, Overmars, Henry, Vieira, Anelka. He has sold brilliantly. He has always got the best value for his club when they needed help financially.
“If Arsene was good for them then, plus he was bringing in trophies, then the only thing missing now is the trophies.”
Liverpool head for the Emirates today knowing they have never had a better chance of recording a first victory at Arsenal's new home.
Fabregas is gone, Nasri's involvement must be questionable, and the Gunners are also without Jack Wilshere, Gervinho, Alex Song, Kieran Gibbs, Johan Djourou, Abou Diaby, Tomas Rosicky and Armand Traore through either suspension or injury.
Yet Dalglish is still wary of the threat they pose.
“They’ve lost Fabregas, look like they are losing Nasri and have a couple suspended, but it will still be a difficult game,” he said. “Whoever goes on the pitch for them will have the same **principle. We know we will have to compete and do as well as we did last season against them.
“They will be a formidable force for us to play against.”
After leaving out three of last season’s best performers – Dirk Kuyt, Maxi Rodriguez and Raul Meireles – for last **Saturday’s opener against Sunderland, Dalglish has tough calls to make.
He insists those three are part of his plans for the new season and that they will get their chance as he rotates his new, expensively remodelled squad.
“We said last week it’s a squad game, not a team game,” he said. “We are a squad and the team will change throughout the season.
“People will play and people won’t play. You won’t get any success with [just] 11 people. You’ll have success when you’ve got about 20 to pick from.
“We’re not going to pick out any individuals and say it was difficult to leave them out, but it wasn’t easy to leave someone else out. It’s difficult to leave anyone out.
“They train all week to play on a Saturday. I’ve been in that position myself and I know that’s what everyone wants to do.
“But the football club is more important than any one individual, including myself. So I have got to do what I have got to do and that is pick the team I think is best for that particular day.
“That’s the way the club has always succeeded. If we get it right, we will all be happy.
“And the happier they are, the better they play and train. That puts the players who are playing under more **pressure.
“So for me, it will always be the same – you’re only as good as the players who aren’t playing.”
Read more: http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news...#ixzz1VWHpOeEg
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Published 23:01 19/08/11 By David Anderson
(2) Recommend (1)
He may have given him a mouthful when they last met, but Kenny Dalglish swears Arsene Wenger is still the best man to lead Arsenal.
While Dalglish insists his touchline bust-up with Wenger over Liverpool’s late penalty equaliser back in April is history, he is adamant the Frenchman is most definitely not.
The Liverpool boss says the snipers should remember Wenger's track record as the north London club’s most successful manager.
Dalglish claims the critics are wrong to question Wenger over Cesc Fabregas’ return to boyhood cub Barcelona and Samir Nasri’s desire to follow him through the Emirates exit, insisting he has always sold well.
“Arsene has had some **criticism recently, but it’s very seldom that managers are praised,” said the Scot. “He’s been fantastic for that football club. That doesn’t exempt him from criticism, but it’s something people should remember.
“When they were in a bit of trouble, he guided them through it. And he’s always been a fantastic seller of players – Petit, Overmars, Henry, Vieira, Anelka. He has sold brilliantly. He has always got the best value for his club when they needed help financially.
“If Arsene was good for them then, plus he was bringing in trophies, then the only thing missing now is the trophies.”
Liverpool head for the Emirates today knowing they have never had a better chance of recording a first victory at Arsenal's new home.
Fabregas is gone, Nasri's involvement must be questionable, and the Gunners are also without Jack Wilshere, Gervinho, Alex Song, Kieran Gibbs, Johan Djourou, Abou Diaby, Tomas Rosicky and Armand Traore through either suspension or injury.
Yet Dalglish is still wary of the threat they pose.
“They’ve lost Fabregas, look like they are losing Nasri and have a couple suspended, but it will still be a difficult game,” he said. “Whoever goes on the pitch for them will have the same **principle. We know we will have to compete and do as well as we did last season against them.
“They will be a formidable force for us to play against.”
After leaving out three of last season’s best performers – Dirk Kuyt, Maxi Rodriguez and Raul Meireles – for last **Saturday’s opener against Sunderland, Dalglish has tough calls to make.
He insists those three are part of his plans for the new season and that they will get their chance as he rotates his new, expensively remodelled squad.
“We said last week it’s a squad game, not a team game,” he said. “We are a squad and the team will change throughout the season.
“People will play and people won’t play. You won’t get any success with [just] 11 people. You’ll have success when you’ve got about 20 to pick from.
“We’re not going to pick out any individuals and say it was difficult to leave them out, but it wasn’t easy to leave someone else out. It’s difficult to leave anyone out.
“They train all week to play on a Saturday. I’ve been in that position myself and I know that’s what everyone wants to do.
“But the football club is more important than any one individual, including myself. So I have got to do what I have got to do and that is pick the team I think is best for that particular day.
“That’s the way the club has always succeeded. If we get it right, we will all be happy.
“And the happier they are, the better they play and train. That puts the players who are playing under more **pressure.
“So for me, it will always be the same – you’re only as good as the players who aren’t playing.”
Read more: http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news...#ixzz1VWHpOeEg
Sign up for MirrorFootball's Morning Spy newsletter Register here
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