2003年12月24日
Wenger gives his half-term report
Ars鑞e Wenger has given his side nine-and-a-half out of 10 for their season so far.
Christmas is a traditional staging post in the football season and Arsenal - Champions League group winners, Carling Cup semi-finalists and unbeaten Premiership title-chasers - have made a strong start to the 2003-04 campaign.
When asked what mark he gave his team for their progress the manager replied: "Nine-and-a-half. We just miss that half point we need to be perfect.
"Don't forget we were written off in the race at the start of the season. Nobody believed in us, it was all about Chelsea and Manchester United.
"We were outsiders because we only bought Jens Lehmann and we gave out five or six players out on loan.
"But we have turned the corner in the Champions League, we are in the race for the championship and we have done well in the Carling Cup with a young team."
However the manager is well aware that the big tests are yet to come.
"You know that Christmas is important but the decisive period comes after that," he said. "In March and April every game is under huge pressure and we have experience of that."
At present Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea have broken away from the Premiership pack and, to illustrate the equal standing of the three teams, all have been top of the table sometime this month.
As a further example, Wenger's men are the only unbeaten side in England - but are not top of the pile at present.
"It tells you that every point you drop can punish you very hard," he replied when faced with that statistic. "We have played 17 games, winning 11 and drawing six. Right now we are second but we could be third.
"However we have a good dynamic in the squad, they know each other well and have a good spirit.
"And I have had an exceptional pleasure working with them this season because their attitude has been spot on from the first day."
[24 December 2003]
温格评论球队赛季中的表现
对于球队本赛季到目前为止的表现,温格打了9。5分(满分10分)。
在一个赛季中,圣诞节总是关键阶段。阿森纳在03-04赛季初表现抢眼:冠军杯小组赛第一出线,进入联赛杯半决赛,在联赛中保持不败,是联赛冠军的有利争夺者。
当被要求给球队的进步打分时,温格给了9。5分;“再得0。5分,我们就完美无缺了。”
“不要忘记,在赛季初,我们并不被看坐冠军争夺者。没有人信任我们,都更看好切尔西和曼联。”
“我们仅购买了莱曼,并将5、6名队员租借给其他队,所以大家认为我们没有实力争夺冠军。”
“但我们在冠军杯上起死回生,我们有实力争夺联赛奖杯,而且我们的年轻队员在联赛杯的表现也很好。”
不过,主教练也很明白,更大的考验还在后面。
“圣诞节的比赛很重要,但更关键的比赛还在后面,”他说到。“根据我们的经验,三月和四月的比赛更有压力。”
现在,阿森纳、曼联和切尔西在联赛中已呈现三足鼎立的局势,在这个月中,这三支球队都曾排名第一。
温格率领的阿森纳队是英超联赛中唯一一支保持不败的球队,但在联赛排名榜上暂时未列第一。
“这说明,每一分的失分都是很大的损失,”得知这些数据后,温格说到。“我们打了17场比赛,赢11场,平了6场。现在我们是排名第二,但也可以说我们是排在第三。
“不过,我们精力充沛,队员们互相很熟悉很默契,斗志旺盛。”
“从赛季第一天起,队员们就全力以赴,作为他们的主教练,我感到非常高兴。”