Match Report - ARSENAL VS WIGAN - 24 Nov 2007
Arsenal-
Wigan Athletic-
By Richard Clarke
Arsène Wenger has grand designs for one of the architects of England’s defeat on Wednesday night.
The Arsenal manager not only argues that Eduardo’s stature and confidence will be buoyed up by Croatia’s victory at Wembley. The Frenchman goes on to suggest the 24-year-old could be the leader’s ‘secret weapon’ in the second half of the Premier League campaign.
Over recent years the No 9 jersey has become the most uncomfortable to wear at Arsenal. Davor Suker, Francis Jeffers, Jose Antonio Reyes and Julio Bapista have all been handed it, none have lived up to it.
It may not seem suited to Eduardo yet but his honest endeavour and eye for goal has suggested Wenger was right to prise him from Dinamo Zagreb last summer in the wake of Thierry Henry’s departure to Barcelona.
So far his Club starts have been sporadic and often ended in substitution but, at the same time, he has been performing superbly for a rapidly-developing Croatian side. After having pulled their heads from their sorry hands, every England-supporting Arsenal fan would have been purring at Eduardo’s cute assist for his country’s crucial second goal on Wednesday.
“We have said we have to be patient but it will come for Eduardo,” Wenger told Arsenal.com. “He has a good attitude and works hard but he has to adapt physically. He is perhaps a quieter person so it takes him longer.
“Yes I think this confidence will help him at Arsenal. He now knows he will go to Euro 2008. He is now a player who counts in Europe. He is at a big club so that should boost his confidence.”
“So can he be your secret weapon for the latter half of the campaign?” the manager was asked.
“Yes,” he replied. “That is what I am thinking. I am keeping my confidence for the second part of the season. I see him as a striker, although he can play wide as well, I do see him as a central player.”
Eduardo seems highly likely to start on Saturday against Wigan at Emirates Stadium. Robin van Persie (knee) is still out and Alex Hleb picked up a hamstring injury on international duty. He will be sidelined for three weeks.
Nicklas Bendtner scored in both Denmark’s games in the past week but the manager has said he is reluctant to play the youngster alongside Arsenal’s other tall striker, Emmanuel Adebayor.
Wenger has less options in midfield. Along with Hleb, he is also missing Mathieu Flamini (thigh), Abou Diaby (back), Cesc Fabregas (suspended) and Gilberto (international duty). That leaves Lassana Diarra and Denilson as the only established central midfielders in the first-team squad.
Struggling Wigan eventually appointed Steve Bruce as their new manager late on Friday afternoon but, reportedly, it will be caretaker Frank Barlow who takes control at Emirates Stadium.
“Apart from the Tottenham game, where they were not at their best at all, the quality of Wigan’s game is better than the points they have got,” said Wenger.
“After an international break and with all the players away I feel this is a big game for us. I am happy we play at home but I am conscious as well of Wigan because now they need points. That means you want all your players to be highly focused and concentrated.
“A quality of a big team is that you to win and to perform when people expect you to win and perform. It is part of being at the top level.” |
發表於 2007-11-23 10:16 PM
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最新官方消息
WENGER说明了希望大家给EDUARDO更多的耐心，在对垒英格兰的球赛，EDUARDO也同时证明了自己的实力。
發表於 2007-11-24 10:37 PM
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