[ad_1]
For 22 years, Arsene Wenger was one of the Premier League’s key figures, presiding over an Arsenal team that led to three Premier League titles and seven FA Cups.
Alex Ferguson’s rivalry with Manchester United was a defining part of that tenure in charge and his fights often decided the fate of major trophies in Wenger’s first decade in North London.
While he had Patrick Vieira in his own ranks as a lieutenant on the court, Roy Keane fulfilled a similar role for Man United and nearly two decades after the height of the rivalry, Wenger retains admiration for the former Republic of Ireland captain, what did you say. This week Late Late Show.
“Firstly, Roy Keane was an exceptional soccer player. After that, he was also a leader,” said the Frenchman, who is now Head of Global Football Development at FIFA two years after his departure from Emirates Stadium.
“You could feel who the leader was there [at Man United] and it was him. And you could even feel that some players within his own field were afraid of him.
“But he was a very motivated player and I think he contributed enormously to the success of Ferguson because this type of player keeps the locker room alert, so he was an exceptional soccer player.”
While Keane kept his United colleagues on their toes, it was arguably Wenger’s best player, Thierry Henry, whose hand infamously dealt a blow to Ireland’s hopes of qualifying for the 2010 World Cup when he set the goal for William Gallas.
Reflecting on that November 2009 episode and its aftermath, Wenger said: “I felt like Thierry Henry had the reflection of a scorer like Maradona did against England when he scored with one hand.
“After that it was more embarrassing because I think it was a difficult time for Thierry because the federation didn’t help him. I think the French Federation should have offered to repeat the game and Thierry Henry felt very lonely afterwards.
“But it tells you one thing, today that kind of situation could no longer happen because we have a VAR and the goal would be canceled. That shows that there are some good arguments for the VAR.”
Wenger also spoke of regrets from his time as a manager.
“I regret it because when you look at your life, if happiness is leading the life you want, I can say that I’m very happy,” he said.
“If I judge my behavior towards my whole family, I would say ‘selfish’.”
Look at full interview on the RTÉ player.
[ad_2]