Arsène Wenger is living a new stage as FIFA's director of development, but his new job away from the bench has allowed him to publish his autobiography.
The Guardian wanted to interview him about it and the conversation left some curiosities after his long stint at Arsenal.
The Alsatian acknowledged that one of the players who most regrets not having signed was Cristiano Ronaldo, with whom Arsenal even had an agreement.
“I think the one who was closest was Cristiano Ronaldo, when he went to United. We had an agreement with Sporting and United signed Queiroz as assistant, they beat our bid quickly and took Cristiano away. Basically, we already had an agreement. He had the Arsenal shirt on and I was having lunch with him and his mother in the sports city. This is one example but there are many, “he said.
His clashes with Ferguson and Moruinho: “I didn't want it to be a book of frustration or injustice. I didn't want to show what they did to me, but you know what happened in your life and you can't ignore it either. I have wanted to be positive. You can't have had the life I've had and be negative. “
The end of the stage at Arsenal: “It was the end of a love story. When you can't talk to who you love anymore, you can't go to training sessions, to the stadium. You have to stay where you are and it has never happened to me in my life. After 22, all of a sudden, it's over. It was very difficult. I wanted to cut my ties with the club because the club wanted it that way too. I decided not to return to the stadium but I support Arsenal with the same passion. You work hard the best you can so don't cry afterwards, don't complain and get over it. I suffered in silence ”.
A piece of advice for Arteta: “Let him continue to manage the team as before and go to the end with his idea. I think they have a good dressing room and they can do well. It won't be difficult to improve on the points they made last season but I think Arsenal can reach the top 4 if not more. Why not? They can be the surprise. They have bought well, the defense is stronger and they have retained players. In my last year we bought from Aubameyang and they have retained it. They have every ingredient and there is no real weakness. “