The former Arsenal boss is working as a pundit for the tournament for beIN Sports and thinks that the populations of the nations still left in Russia will be crucial in deciding whether or not they can lift the trophy.
The likes of Germany, Spain, Argentina, and Portugal have already crashed out, and Wenger - who is still to decide on his next move after leaving Arsenal at the end of last season - knows who his favorites are now.
"My heart favorite is, of course, France," he said, unsurprisingly.
"I said many times that no country under 40 million people has won the World Cup since 1954, since after the Second World War.
"But I ask you, can you cut out Belgium? They are smaller country but they have the quality. And Croatia has the quality.
"But I would say England - nobody speaks about England but they are dangerous - Brazil or France."
Source
Mirror
Arsene Wenger used his farewell news conference as Arsenal manager on Thursday to urge his successor to “respect the values of the club”.
The Frenchman departs after a final game at Huddersfield Town on Sunday and was in reflective mood as he contemplated his 22 years in charge.
Speculation is intensifying over who his successor will be with British media reporting that Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri and former Arsenal captains Mikel Arteta and Patrick Vieira are among the leading contenders.
Asked for his advice to the new man, Wenger said: “Respect the values of the club. I would like him to bring his own ideas. It’s a chance for the players to see something different. But on the other hand I would say respect what has been built here.”
Despite his many achievements, Wenger will depart on a low with Arsenal losing a seventh consecutive away game on Wednesday, 3-1 at Leicester City, their worst run in more than half-a-century.
With another trip awaiting on Sunday, they are looking to end their embarrassing record of being the only side in the top four tiers of English football not to pick up an away point this year.
Wenger, however, still believes the club is in good shape for his successor.
“The players’ attitude was great last night,” said Wenger. “They were fantastic. There is a special bond in this team. There is something waiting to come out that is special. Hopefully that will come out next season.”
LONG PERIOD
Wenger said he is unsure about his immediate plans, but has been linked with a position as general manager at Paris St Germain.
“When you stay for such a long period, you question is it time to go now or not,” he said. “We live in a society where people want big change always, you know. I don’t know what I will do. Maybe go to Russia.
“I have some work to do in France (next week) on Monday, Tuesday. On Thursday, I will come back and clear my office. After that, I don’t know.”
Wenger also used the occasion to look back, saying that while he considered his 2004 ‘Invincibles’ team, who went through the season unbeaten, the best of his reign, he was at his most productive between 2006-15.
“From 2006-2015 was certainly a period where I needed to be the strongest and did the best job,” he said.
“To work with restricted recourse and keep the club in a position to pay our debts back. I think I did my best job during this period, not the most glamorous but the most difficult.”
Wenger also used the news conference to wish former Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson well after his recent brain haemorrhage and wondered whether any other managers will prove so enduring.
“He made 26 years and I made 22 but there are some younger managers who are already five to six years in charge. Twenty two, I don’t know. You can never say ‘I’m the last one’, it can happen again.”
Arsene Wenger recently stated that he would love to see an ex-Gunner succeed him as the next manager of Arsenal football club.
Names such as Patrick Vieira and Mikel Arteta have been touted and if it were down to Wenger one of those would get the gig over a more experienced candidate like Luis Enrique.
However, while Wenger has cultivated some of the finest young minds in coaching, not all the men who played under him at the Emirates and Highbury before have turned into such promising managers.
Here's a look at six CVs from former players that the Arsenal hierarchy can probably put firmly in the 'thanks but no thanks' pile...
1. Tony Adams
Tony Adams hasn't really expressed an interest in succeeding Arsene Wenger, and that'll be music to most Gunners fans' ears. Not that he'd ever be considered after his disastrous managerial career so far.
He may have been one of the finest defenders the Premier League has ever seen but sometimes it just doesn't work out for world class players in managerial hot seats. Unfortunately Adams was hopeless during his stints at Portsmouth, Azerbaijani side Gabala and Granada.
Lest we forget those revolutionary training methods.
2. Sol Campbell
Sol Campbell - who has previously described himself as one of football's finest minds - revealed last month that he was turned down for the Grimsby job on the basis of a lack of experience, meaning he hasn't got a hope in hell of landing the manager's gig at Arsenal.
He's had an air of self-entitlement about him in the past but with this situation he has only ever talked about who he would like to see in charge of Arsenal and, thankfully, doesn't include himself in the running.
3. Martin Keown
Martin Keown is the third defensive leader-type former Gunner to make this list.
There's little to suggest Keown would make a good replacement for Arsene Wenger. He just seems really bitter, annoyed and angry about things when giving his analysis during his various punditry gigs.
His downbeat aura is most definitely not what a bunch of demotivated underperforming prima donnas need to take them forwards.
4. Ian Wright
Even if Ian Wright had some managerial experience under his belt, he'd likely not make a particularly great boss, especially not for Arsenal.
Wrighty is hugely popular for his warm personality and sense of humour. Essentially, he's the total opposite of Martin Keown.
One gets the feeling that he simply wouldn't be able to take things as seriously as the job would definitely demand, and he should therefore not stray away from working in TV.
5. Jens Lehmann
Jens Lehmann is currently a first team coach at Arsenal, but can you imagine if he was bumped up to being the actual manager?
The German was a great servant to the north London club as a player but the ex-goalkeeper garnered a reputation throughout his time there as being a bit of a nutter.
With him in charge he'd probably force Per Mertesacker to do another season as a lone striker, bring Kim Kallstrom out of retirement and appear bi-weekly on ArsenalFanTV to rant about where it's all gone wrong...
6. Thierry Henry
Thierry Henry is actually in the running for the job according to the bookmakers, but it simply wouldn't be the right appointment.
Clearly he's an intelligent guy and is also loved by Arsenal fans worldwide for his brilliant career there as a player, but realistically Henry lacks the appropriate experience to succeed Wenger.
He may be the assistant manager of Belgium but it's Roberto Martinez who is calling the shots and using his prior knowledge of club management.
Henry is an Arsenal legend, but should things start to go pear shaped under his guidance, that fan toxicity would be bound to return and the Frenchman's legacy put at risk.
Nigeria’s legend, Nwankwo Kanu, is among former Arsenal players who will attend Arsene Wenger’s last English Premier League (EPL) home game in charge of the Gunners against Burnley on Sunday.
The North London club, according to reports on its website, have written to all their former players who have made 100-plus league appearances for the club to grace the game at the Emirates Stadium.
Kanu, who joined Arsenal from Inter Milan in 1999 made 119 league appearances for the club and hit the back of the net 37 times.
He spent five years at the club before linking up with another Premier League side, West Bromwich Albion.
The likes of Sol Campbell, Thierry Henry, Tony Adams, Bob Wilson, Frank McLintock and other legends are also expected at the match.
Arsenal will use the fixture as a key element of their celebrations to commemorate the Frenchman’s 22 years in charge.
Wenger recently announced he will quit Arsenal at the end of the season.
The Frenchman won three Premier League titles and seven FA Cups with the club.
Source
NAN
Arsene Wenger has announced in a shocking press statement that he will be quitting as Arsenal manager at the end of the season.
The Frenchman, 68, joined the Gunners in 1996 and won three Premier League titles and several other trophies, leading the club to an unbeaten league campaign in 2003/2004.
“After careful consideration and following discussions with the club, I feel it is the right time for me to step down at the end of the season,” Wenger said in the statement on Arsenal’s official website on Friday.
“I am grateful for having had the privilege to serve the club for so many memorable years.
“I managed the club with full commitment and integrity.
“I want to thank the staff, the players, the Directors and the fans who make this club so special.
“I urge our fans to stand behind the team to finish on a high.
“To all the Arsenal lovers take care of the values of the club.
“My love and support for ever.”
Majority owner Stan Kroenke said:
“This is one of the most difficult days we have ever had in all our years in sport. One of the main reasons we got involved with Arsenal was because of what Arsène has brought to the club on and off the pitch. His longevity and consistency over such a sustained period at the highest level of the game will never be matched.
“Arsène has unparalleled class and we will always be grateful to him. Everyone who loves Arsenal and everyone who loves football owes him a debt of gratitude. Three Premier League titles, including an entire season unbeaten, seven FA Cup triumphs and 20 successive years in the Champions League is an exceptional record. He has also transformed the identity of our club and of English football with his vision for how the game can be played.
“We have high ambitions to build on Arsène’s remarkable tenure and to honour his vision by ensuring that Arsenal competes for and wins the biggest and most important prizes in the game.
“We must now focus on making a strong finish to the season and ask our millions of fans around the world to join us in paying appropriate tribute to one of the greats of Arsenal’s history and one of the greats of the game.”
The club explained:
“Arsene will lead the team to the end of the season and we will make an appointment as soon as possible. The club will not be making any further comment on the selection process until an appointment is made.”
Arsenal boss, Arsene Wenger, has defended the club’s decision to shatter the club’s wage structure to keep Mesut Ozil, calling it “the cheapest option”.
Ozil signed a new three-and-a-half year contract worth £300,000 a week, making him the Premier League’s second-highest paid player behind Alexis Sanchez , who left Arsenal for Manchester United in January.
Before now, Sanchez and Ozil were the best-paid players on around £140,000 a week last season.
“First of all, when we let a player go we have to buy somebody of the same calibre. And if you add the transfer needed – the wages [for the new player] will be similar, but on top of that we have to pay a transfer [fee]. So overall, Ozil was for us the cheapest option,” Wenger said.
New boys Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Henrikh Mkhitaryan both signed deals reportedly worth £180,000 a week, which was an Arsenal record until Ozil penned his new deal. But Wenger insisted that he had no problem with paying such high salaries, as long as it is within the club’s means.
“I never put a limit on that. I just think that at the end of the day, what I never wanted to do was spend 12 when we earn 10. As long as we earn what we can pay, it’s not a problem.
“I did fight my whole life to pay the players good wages. So I’m not against that. I just am against the fact that you live on credit,” the Frenchman stated.
The club has reached an agreement with the gaming company CashBet, which is planning to launch its own currency CashBet Coin.
It will see CashBet Coin advertised at Arsenal's Premier League home games.
But one crypto-currency expert has questioned whether the club is wise to promote what can be a very risky investment.
CashBet is a Californian online gaming business formed in 2012, which is now launching an Initial Coin Offering (ICO). It aims to raise $40m by getting investors to buy CashBet Coins which can then be used to bet on its various online games.
Arsenal's chief commercial officer Vinai Venkatesham said: "We are looking forward to working with CashBet Coin as they launch their new crypto-currency."
I've asked Arsenal whether it was wise to endorse a highly volatile business and whether it was encouraging fans to bet with CashBet Coins.
"Not at all. The partnership aims to promote CashBet Coin ahead of their Initial Coin Offer on 24 January," a spokesman for the club said.
"It does not exist to encourage fans to bet with CashBet Coin."
'High Risk'
ICOs have become an extremely popular way for businesses to raise money following the surge in value of Bitcoin, the original crypto-currency.
But they are unregulated and investors who buy the coins have no stake in the business and receive no dividends. They hope to profit from the rising value of the crypto-currency.
The Financial Conduct Authority has warned that ICOs are "high-risk, speculative investments".
David Gerard, whose book "Attack of the 50 Foot Blockchain" warns about the risks of investing in crypto-currencies, says Arsenal fans who might be encouraged to see CashBet Coins as a new way of betting need to be cautious.
"Crypto-currencies are less regulated than regular betting shops and it's a lot harder to get actual pounds back out again," Mr Gerard said.
While CashBet says it is regulated by the UK Gambling Commission and the Alderney Gambling Control Commission, a spokesman admitted that did not apply to its new crypto-currency venture.
He said that punters who bet with CashBet's currency would eventually be able to convert their winnings into cash on third party exchanges.
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Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger has congratulated Nigeria for qualifying for the World Cup.
He wished them a great moment at the event. Nigeria confirmed their place in Russia when Arsenal forward, Alex Iwobi came off the bench to score the only goal of the crunch encounter against Zambia in Uyo last Saturday.
Wenger said Arsenal is proud of Nigeria and prouder because their player scored the needed goal that put the Super Eagles through.
The Frenchman said, “Good morning. Congratulation to all our fans in Nigeria, I know there are very, very, very many of you and we are very proud that you have qualified for the World Cup.
“On top of that our player scored the goal for you and that makes us even prouder. Well done, and see you at the World Cup. I’m sure you’ll have a great trip there.”
Former CNN presenter, Piers Morgan, has revealed a chat he had with Manchester United manager, Jose Mourinho, which covered talk about Arsenal.
Morgan, writing in his Daily Mail column, says he ran into Mourinho in upmarket department store, Harrods in London, near where his family is based, after the Gunners were battered 4-0 by Liverpool.
The two men had a 20-minute chat about football, in which Mourinho threw some brutal jabs at the Gunners and their manager, Arsene Wenger.
Morgan wrote: “I feel so sorry for you Arsenal fans,” he chuckled, not looking remotely sorry.
He quoted Mourinho saying: “I have some very good friends who love Arsenal like you do and they are just as depressed as you about the club.
“They suffer so badly, it is a terrible thing to observe. Mourinho then burst out laughing. “Terrible… hahahahaha.”
Morgan says he asked: “How the hell is Arsene Wenger still in his job?”
Mourinho’s response, as reported by Morgan, is brutal: “No idea,” Mourinho smirked. “But I hope he stays in it for a very long time…”‘
The pair took a picture, which Morgan uploaded on his Instagram page.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said on Wednesday he has had no contact with Paris Saint-Germain regarding Alexis Sanchez, who will miss the start of the season through injury.
Sanchez, 28, has been linked with a move to PSG, who have just completed a world-record 222 million euros ($260 million) swoop for Barcelona superstar Neymar.
But Wenger said he had not heard from PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi and referred to French media reports suggesting PSG are more interested in signing Monaco’s Kylian Mbappe.
“It’s a long time I didn’t speak to Nasser, because it’s certainly very busy to complete the transfer of Neymar,” Wenger told a press conference at Arsenal’s London Colney base.
Asked if he expected Al-Khelaifi to get in touch, Wenger replied: “No, no. I think if you read the French papers, they are on Mbappe’s case to finish their transfer market.”
Wenger was coy, though, when he was asked if any bids had been tabled for Sanchez.
“I can’t tell you that at the moment,” said the Frenchman, whose side open their Premier League campaign at home to Leicester City on Friday.
“I just think we are not open — what I said to you many times — to any offers, anyway.”
Sanchez, who has also been linked with Manchester City, has not played for Arsenal in pre-season after being granted extra time off after playing at the Confederations Cup with Chile.
Wenger said the forward had sustained an abdominal injury and was likely to miss both Friday’s game against Leicester and the trip to Stoke City on August 19.
“He has a little abdominal strain that he caught on Sunday morning in training, before he came to Wembley (for last Sunday’s Community Shield),” Wenger said.
“He had a scan two days ago and he’s out for a while. I don’t know if it is two weeks or one more week, but he will not be available. I think he will not play at Stoke, yes.”
Wenger added: “For us Alexis Sanchez is a loss, of course. But we have all the other players prepared in pre-season and they are all ready.
“It can happen in pre-season and anyway, I don’t think I would have included him on Friday night. I don’t think I would have started him.”
Speaking after Arsenal beat Chelsea on penalties at Wembley, Wenger revealed he was looking to trim his squad before the transfer window closes, but he said no departures were currently imminent.
“No,” he replied when asked if any players were poised to leave.
“Yesterday I had the managers’ meeting and was talking with the other managers in the other clubs. It looks like everywhere there is many, many players and a bit of congestion at the moment everywhere.”
Arsenal scouts were interested in Juventus’ Mario Lemina, but saw manager Arsene Wenger block any potential move, reports the Evening Standard. Wenger remains largely in control of transfer policy at the Emirates, after signing his two-year extension earlier this summer.
The long-serving Gunners boss chose to prioritise other targets, including the signing of Alexandre Lacazette.
It is also understood that Wenger fought off the board’s stance, that Alexis Sanchez would be sold if a big offer came in.
Sanchez is into the final year of his current deal at the club and the board were looking at cashing in on the 28-year-old now, rather than lose out when he becomes a free agent next year.
Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger, has included Hector Bellerin, Rob Holding and Calum Chambers in the squad for this weekend’s Emirates Cup.
Hector and Rob last played for the Gunners in their FA Cup final win over Chelsea in May, while Calum is back from a season-long loan with Middlesbrough.
All three returned to training this week. Arsenal play Benfica on Saturday and Sevilla on Sunday.
RB Leipzig are the fourth team competing for this year’s Emirates Cup.
Arsenal squad:
4 Per Mertesacker
6 Laurent Koscielny
8 Aaron Ramsey
9 Alexandre Lacazette
11 Mesut Ozil
12 Olivier Giroud
13 David Ospina
14 Theo Walcott
15 Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
16 Rob Holding
17 Alex Iwobi
18 Nacho Monreal
21 Calum Chambers
23 Danny Welbeck
24 Hector Bellerin
26 Emiliano Martinez
29 Granit Xhaka
30 Ainsley Maitland-Niles
31 Sead Kolasinac
33 Petr Cech
34 Francis Coquelin
35 Mohamed Elneny
40 Cohen Bramall
61 Reiss Nelson
69 Joe Willock
Alexis Sanchez has reiterated his desire to play in the Champions League as he made his latest plea to Arsenal to let him leave the club.
The 28-year-old forward was the Gunners’ shining star in a disappointing campaign last season where they finished fifth and failed to qualify for the Champions League for the first time in Arsene Wenger’s reign.
But Sanchez, whose contract expires next summer and who is understood to want to join former boss Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, is not willing to wait another year to return to European football’s premier club competition.
"I want to play in the Champions League,” he told reporters in his native Chile.
“The decision isn't down to me, I need to wait for Arsenal.”
Reiterating claims he made in the wake of the Confederations Cup, where Chile lost the final to Germany, he added: "I've made my decision, now I wait for Arsenal's reply.
"The idea is to play in and win the Champions League. It is something that I have dreamed about it since I was little.”
Manchester City are understood to be quietly confident that they can sign the player this summer and he forms a big part of Guardiola’s planned recruitment drive.
Bayern Munich have also retained an interest in the former Barcelona forward but can’t offer him the personal terms he requires. Arsenal are understood to have offered Alexis the biggest contract in their history to remain at the club, but as of yet the Chilean has shown little inclination to extend his deal and while Arsenal’s stance remains that the forward will not be sold.
If no extension can be agreed then the 28-year-old can leave on a Bosman next summer.
After a chastening season that saw Arsenal finish outside the Champions League places, old dog Arsene Wenger appears to have learnt some new tricks as he’s to shed his frugal nature and break the bank for Monaco teenage sensation Kylian Mbappe.
Wenger has reportedly tabled a world record £122 million bid for Mbappe, 18, in addition to promising him the club’s No9 shirt as a deal sweetener.
According to a report by the Sun, Arsenal boss Wenger was at his charming best in his pursuit of the hotshot striker, telling him that the coveted shirt is his.
Wenger, in the company of club CEO Ivan Gazidis, was spotted just 13 miles from Monaco in Nice on Monday as he looks to put an early wrap on the deal knowing they face competition from seemingly every European giant.
Shortly after signing his controversial new two-year deal, Wenger, 67, promised to spend big in order to make Arsenal Premier League title contenders once more.
He quickly secured the services of Nigerian hotshot Henry Onyekuru from KAS Eupen, and has now turned to Mbappe as the man to turn around the club’s fortunes.
It’s left to be seen if the player touted to be the new Thierry Henry will take a similar path to the France great and become a Gunner.
This is clearly not the kind of news alot of fans want to hear but Arsenal boss, Arsene Wenger has agreed to a new two-year contract, extending his 21-year reign at the club. Wenger and club owner Stan Kroenke met on Monday to determine the Frenchman's future, with the decision relayed to directors at a board meeting today.
The Gunners were fifth in the Premier League this season, the first time they have finished outside the top four since the Frenchman joined in 1996.
Arsenal 2 Chelsea 1: Aaron Ramsey scored the decisive goal that won Arsenal the FA Cup, striking minutes after Diego Costa had cancelled out Alexis Sanchez's controversial opener
A simply wonderful final comes to an end! Arsenal were deserved winners of a gloriously entertaining final, as Arsene Wenger became the most successful FA Cup manager of all time.
One man stands alone, after denying Chelsea the double. Arsene Wenger ends one of the most difficult seasons of his career with admirable defiance and victory, to become the manager that has won more FA Cups than anybody with seven, and ensure Arsenal are again the club to have won it more than anybody else with 13.
Check out photos from the celebration below
Cheers to Arsenal
Arsenal failed to qualify for the UEFA Champions League for the first time in 20 years in spite of winning on the final day of the 2016/17 English Premier League.
The Gunners began the day on Sunday a point behind fourth-place Liverpool and were on course to displace the Reds when they took an eighth-minute lead against Everton before winning 3-1.
But Liverpool, needing a win to ensure fourth, broke Middlesbrough’s resistance just before the break, and won 3-0 at Anfield.
Manchester City claimed third with a very easy 5-0 win at Watford to maintain third place.
Arsenal’s remarkable run of qualifying for the UEFA Champions League in 19 consecutive seasons came to its widely anticipated end on Sunday.
Hope had grown among the home support when Hector Bellerin gave them an early lead and news was that Liverpool were struggling against the relegated Middlesbrough.
But in first-half stoppage time, Georginio Wijnaldum enlivened Anfield with a stunning strike, and Jurgen Klopp’s men eventually ran out comfortable winners.
“It is annoying but we had a spell during the season that was difficult and it was difficult for me in my personal situation. We were playing in a hostile environment. The players came back stronger in the last two months and I’m very proud of them for doing that,’’ Arsenal’s manager Arsene Wenger said in the end.
Liverpool will be playing in the Champions League for the first time since the 2014-15 season, and truly deserved this on the basis of the effort.
Liverpool suffered from early nerves at Anfield before Wijnaldum’s opener on the stroke of half-time eased the tension.
Philippe Coutinho added a second after the break with a free-kick, and Adam Lallana slotted in to make it 3-0.
“We’ve had bigger games, but this was the game of the season though. We had this pressure but we are Liverpool and have to deliver. Everyone knows where we missed out on points, but we will improve. A club like Liverpool needs to be in the Champions League.
However, I’m proud of the players. We work a lot. We are closer together. We have to build together,’’ Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool’s manager, said in reaction.
Manchester City on their part sealed third spot and automatic qualification for the Champions League group stage with an emphatic 5-0 win at Watford.
Pep Guardiola’s side required only a point to secure a top-four place, but instead of sitting back went about dismantling their opponents.
Sergio Aguero scored twice, after Vincent Kompany’s opener, with Fernandinho and Gabriel Jesus also getting on the scoresheet.
Chelsea, Tottenham, Manchester City and Liverpool, in that order, picked the Champions League spots in England, while Hull, Middlesbrough and Sunderland were relegated.
Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola, has said that Arsenal might not qualify for next season’s Champions League, as their top four hopes is fading.
City’s 3-1 win over West Brom on Tuesday, should be enough to guarantee a top-four finish, while a win at Watford on Sunday, will seal a place in the group stages of the Champions League.
Arsenal are depending on Middlesbrough to take points off Liverpool and Watford to possibly beat City by a wide margin, for them to qualify.
“I will not say fourth position is done, but Arsenal have to win by five or six against Everton and my good friend Ronald Koeman,” Guardiola told reporters at the Etihad Stadium.
“We are there and we are going to travel to London to try and finish third and go direct to the Champions League. I’m happy it’s in our hands to finish third.
“This club had not played in Europe for 30 years. Now we are there every year, but we have to try and be better next season.”
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