- Title: UK: FOOTBALL/SOCCER: Wenger happy Arsenal's destiny is in their own hands
- Date: 13th May 2013
- Summary: LONDON COLNEY, ENGLAND, UK (MAY 13, 2013) (REUTERS) ARSENAL COACH ARSENE WENGER WALKS IN TO PRESS CONFERENCE PRESS (SOUNDBITE) (English) ARSENE WENGER, ARSENAL COACH, SAYING: "Two months ago we had no chance to be where we are today so we can only be happy. What we have done, two months ago our destiny was not in our own hands, today it is so we have done that very well. So let's now finish the job and continue to play like we did until now and take the points." PRESS 5 (SOUNDBITE) (English) ARSENE WENGER, ARSENAL COACH, SAYING: "Well it is a very important game for both sides and so you expect huge commitment on both sides. We play at home and of course we want to take advantage of that. We are on a remarkable run, we have been hugely consistent and we are in a position where destiny depends on us and we want to finish now the job." PRESS (SOUNDBITE) (English) ARSENE WENGER, ARSENAL COACH, SAYING: "Well both teams have to go for it so it's very difficult to know what will happen. But usually it should be an open game but I still think that Wigan will be faithful to their shape that is based on solid defence and quick counter-attacking, and overall I believe that will be the case." PRESS (SOUNDBITE) (English) ARSENE WENGER, ARSENAL COACH, SAYING: "You could see on Saturday that they had quality and they played a remarkable game when they played against Manchester City. What kind of team we will face we don't know, we know just one thing we want to be at our best in a game of that importance for us." PRESS (SOUNDBITE) (English) ARSENE WENGER, ARSENAL COACH, SAYING: "I was not surprised and I told my staff a long time ago that I think it will be Alex Ferguson's last year so I was not completely surprised. I detected a few signs through the season, there was already one of them before the season started that it could be his final year." PRESS (SOUNDBITE) (English) ARSENE WENGER, ARSENAL COACH, SAYING: "You have to first respect his decision but it's sad because it's the end of something, of a remarkable career. I think he got a lot of praise that he deserves but of course the challenge, the double challenge now, the first one is for Manchester United to replace a guy of that stature, and the second challenge will be for Alex Ferguson, he faces a challenge to have a life that is as passionate and interesting as the life he's had until now." WENGER AT PRESS CONFERENCE
- Embargoed: 28th May 2013 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: United Kingdom
- Country: United Kingdom
- Topics: Sports
- Reuters ID: LVA5QRGLB91MGLCERZR6FUZQ7KDW
- Story Text: Arsene Wenger wants Arsenal to finish the job and clinch a Champions League place
Arsene Wenger said on Monday (May 13) that he was happy that Arsenal's destiny was in their own hands as they look to qualify for next season's Champions League.
With two games of their season remaining Arsenal are fifth in the table, two points behind fourth placed Tottenham Hotspur who have played a game more.
Since losing to Spurs on March 3 the Gunners have been undefeated and know that wins in their final two matches will secure a place in next season's Champions League.
Speaking as Arsenal prepare for their vital match against new FA Cup winners Wigan Athletic at the Emirates on Tuesday, Wenger challenged his players to finish the job and claim a top four place.
"Two months ago we had no chance to be where we are today so we can only be happy. What we have done, two months ago our destiny was not in our own hands, today it is so we have done that very well. So let's now finish the job and continue to play like we did until now and take the points," he said.
"It is a very important game for both sides and so you expect huge commitment on both sides. We play at home and of course we want to take advantage of that. We are on a remarkable run, we have been hugely consistent and we are in a position where destiny depends on us and we want to finish now the job."
Arsenal will not face an easy task against a Wigan side who are desperate for points as they battle relegation.
Roberto Martinez's team will also be buoyed by their surprise FA Cup triumph over Manchester City on Saturday.
"Both teams have to go for it so it's very difficult to know what will happen. But usually it should be an open game but I still think that Wigan will be faithful to their shape that is based on solid defence and quick counter-attacking, and overall I believe that will be the case," said Wenger.
"You could see on Saturday that they had quality and they played a remarkable game when they played against Manchester City. What kind of team we will face we don't know, we know just one thing we want to be at our best in a game of that importance for us."
Wenger said he was not surprised at Alex Ferguson's announcement last week that he was retiring at the end of the season.
"I was not surprised and I told my staff a long time ago that I think it will be Alex Ferguson's last year so I was not completely surprised. I detected a few signs through the season, there was already one of them before the season started that it could be his final year," he said.
"You have to first respect his decision but it's sad because it's the end of something, of a remarkable career. I think he got a lot of praise that he deserves but of course the challenge, the double challenge now, the first one is for Manchester United to replace a guy of that stature, and the second challenge will be for Alex Ferguson, he faces a challenge to have a life that is as passionate and interesting as the life he's had until now." - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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