Wenger calls for repeat of his miracle in Madrid
ARSENE WENGER has warned Arsenal that failure to produce a miracle in Madrid tonight will have huge consequences for the club’s future.
The outgoing gunners manager last night called on his players to recreate the spirit of one of the greatest nights in his managerial career as they face the daunting task of overcoming Atletico Madrid in tonight’s Europa League semi-final second leg.
With the tie poised at 1-1 after the first leg, Arsenal must score tonight to have any chance of reaching the final in Lyon. However, Atletico have not conceded at the Metropolitano Stadium since January 20.
It is an impressive 11-game run, but Wenger said: ‘The history has to stop somewhere. That’s what we will try to do.’
Tonight will be Wenger’s 250th European game as a manager, including his time at Monaco, and it isn’t the first time he has gone to the Spanish capital facing a monumental task. In 2006, Arsenal arrived to face a Real Madrid side that included Zinedine Zidane, David Beckham and Ronaldo, in the Champions League last 16.
Arsenal were bold and brilliant, leaving the Bernabeu with a 1-0 win thanks to Thierry Henry’s goal before completing - the job with a goalless draw in the second leg.
‘We came here with a very young teamam and beat Real Madridid with fanfantastic names,’ said Wenger. ‘I will try to repeat that.’
Victory tonight would be up there with the biggest scalps of Wenger’s 22-year reign. But, as we know, the Frenchman will not be around to enjoy the fruits of his labours should Arsenal win the Europa League and qualify for the Champions League.
Arsenal have felt the financial impact of their year away from EEurope’s top tatable and another seaseason out of the ChaChampions League will have consequences. quences.consequences. ‘I qualified for 20 or 21 yearsyears, so to be in the Champions League, of course, I want to achieve it,’ said Wenger. ‘The next game is always the most important in life. It’s a big game, it influences the future of my club. ‘That’s why it’s a very big game for us. The future of Arsenal is not exactly the same if we qualify for the Champions League or not.’ We will soon know if Wenger is to have one final hurrah in Lyon or if he starts setting his sights on life away from the Emirates Stadium.
What better way to attract prospective new employers than coming into Diego Simeone’s backyard and leaving with his arms aloft. It is perhaps unfair to suggest tonight’s clash is an audition for Wenger. He has nothing to prove to anyone. Maybe, though, he feels he has a few things to prove to himself. Can he still cut it at the top? Can he mix it with those who have taken his place at the pinnacle of management?
‘I don’t feel too much my age,’ said Wenger, 68. ‘Simeone is a young manger, he’s won championships and played in Champions League finals. But I don’t focus on going head to head with other managers. My job is to help my team. Forget completely who manages the other team.
‘Am I nervous? There’s always tension, a desire to win. With the experience I have there is uncertainty that creates a tension. ‘That’s normal. I want to help my team to have as much certainty and belief as possible.’ Overcoming Simeone’s battlers will be easier said than done, of course.
The Argentine, though, is banned from the technical area following his sending-off in last week’s first leg. But Simeone, 48, insists his trusted lieutenant german Burgos is more than capable of leading his team to victory.
‘We have german, we don’t even need to look at each other to know what we want,’ said Simeone.
But who could begrudge Wenger one final crack at European glory before he walks off into the sunset at the end of the season.
The odds are stacked against him tonight. But wouldn’t it be romantic if Wenger lifted a European trophy, in his homeland, after his final game for the club?
‘I want to finish this love story well,’ Wenger added. You’re not the only one, Arsene.