WE'LL BE BETTER NEXT SEASON: WENGER
Arsene Wenger has warned Arsenal's main rivals the Gunners will be even stronger next season as they attempt to build on this year's expected title success.
Wenger is still not taking the title for granted, with his side needing to beat Spurs on Sunday to lift the trophy as long as Chelsea have failed to defeat Newcastle earlier.
However, Sir Alex Ferguson has already insisted Arsenal's most difficult task will be to win back-to-back titles, as Manchester United have previously managed.
Wenger admits there are "no guarantees" that he will ever conquer the Champions League at the club, but he is fervently optimistic about the future.
"I could stay for 30 years and not win the Champions League. There are no guarantees as it has become more of a cup competition than ever," he said.
"There are still things we have to improve, but I'm convinced we have the best attack and the best defence in the Premiership, so there's a good basis there.
"I believe the team can still improve a lot and learn from this season. What was different in 2002 and 1998 is that you felt there were many players slowly coming to a end.
"I don't have this feeling now as there are many young players and many others who still have a lot more to give. Everyone can play a bit better next year as they will be one year more experienced."
Indeed, Wenger admits that he has already started planning for next season, with a new striker top of his summer list.
With Thierry Henry, Jose Reyes and Jeremie Aliadiere already at the club, that means at least one of Kanu, Sylvain Wiltord and Dennis Bergkamp, who are all out of contract this summer, will have to leave.
Wenger is not expecting to invest more than £40million this summer, warning that the big spending has already taken place on Reyes, but he believes the Spaniard will soon show his full potential.
"We will not be big spenders. We have spent our big money on Reyes. Someone said I have £40million to spend. Bring it here quickly! We can spend £2million or £3million twice maybe, but not more," he said.
"If there's a good opportunity then we will take one more striker. But I think that next season will be Reyes' season. He is making big progress and will be a major asset for us."
Wenger also believes he has the best-ever crop of youngsters ready to follow Ashley Cole and Kolo Toure through the youth ranks at Highbury.
They include David Bentley, Phillipe Senderos, Gael Clichy and possibly Jermaine Pennant, as well as Ryan Smith, Francesc Fabregas and Justin Hoyte.
He observed: "We have never had as many good young players as we have now. I will give several of them chances in the first team next season."
Wenger also insists his existing squad will mature, enabling them to continue their quest for the Champions League.
He observed: "We must learn a bit more patience. Teams win things when they become more efficient and calculating. When they are more experienced, they become more clinical but perhaps less crazy."
Henry remains the club's irreplaceable crowning glory, with Wenger expecting him to be named as the players' player of the season at tomorrow night's awards dinner.
"He's scored 29 league goals already and, if something happened to him, what could you do to replace even with money?" he wondered.
Robert Pires has still provided valuable goalscoring support, while Wenger believes Patrick Vieira has also matured as an inspirational captain.
"Patrick has had a great year as well. He's been tremendous as a player and a leader. He's grown so much that it's untrue," he said.
Wenger's own long-term future remains to be resolved, with just over one year left on his contract, although he has always indicated he will see the club into their new stadium in 2006.
"I am happy here, I have never tried to go away and as long as I stay happy, then I'm happy to stay," he concluded.
Indeed, that stability, perhaps more than anything else, should be the real reason why United and Chelsea should be worried not just about this season - but next year as well.
就翻要点吧:
1. 我们的进攻和防守在整个英超都是最好的,这是进步的良好基础。而和上两次夺冠不同,这次到赛季末仍然有很多新人可用,其他队员也有很大潜力可挖。因此,在温格看来,每位球员都能继续提高。
2. 夏天很有可能引进一位前锋,手上资金没有传闻中的4000万英镑之多,大概会有两次2、300万的收购。
3. 雷耶斯潜力巨大,下赛季将会属于他。涌现的新人前所未有之多,新赛季会给其中几个进一队的机会。
4. 主力队员更加成熟,冠军杯重头来过。我们会更加耐心、讲求效率、筹划精明、更加实用。
5. 点名表扬了亨利、皮雷、维埃拉三个火枪手。
6. 温格本人会继续执教。
记者总结认为阿森纳成功的最大因素在于稳定。
[此贴子已经被作者于2004-4-25 5:35:27编辑过]