[BrianCappellieri]

FERGIE: VIEIRA WANTED TO JOIN UNITED

Sir Alex Ferguson has claimed Arsenal midfielder Patrick Vieira wanted to join Manchester United last season, but the move was blocked by the Highbury board...
Sporting Life

Gunners hold fire on Fergie taunts

Arsenal will not seek to extend their feud with Manchester United into the new season, despite a fresh bout of taunts from Sir Alex Ferguson about his biggest rivals...
SoccerNet

[Motterman]

Go on Wizard!

[442]

I'm not trying to troll, just honestly wondering: Do you ManU fans tire of Sir Alex's antics? Listen, I think he is a great manager and his record speaks for itself. But sometimes don't you wish he'd just keep quite?

Again, not trying to troll, just wondering if you like it when he tries these "mind games" or would prefer he shut up.

[Motterman]

Arsene Wenger has promised Arsenal fans that not only will their team be even better this season - they will do it without buying success.

Despite winning the Double last season, Wenger insists that his Gooners have not yet reached their potential and will go into the new campaign "stronger, hungrier and more determined".

He clearly believes Arsenal can repeat last season's feats, and told Football365 that success tastes sweeter when you don't have bottomless pockets.

Instead of being intimidated by rivals Manchester United's £30m pay-out for one player, the Frenchman claims to be happy that he has the challenge of working within a budget.

"If I did not believe this side could reach more levels of success, I would be wasting my time staying, " Wenger told Football365. "The players here have developed into winners and they will develop beyond their own high standards as the new season unfolds.

"I don't believe they have reached their potential. They are going into the new season stronger, hungrier and determined to prove that last season was not a one-off. We intend to prove we were worthy champions and we can only do that by winning the league again.

"Make no mistake about it," he said, "you can talk about expectations all day long, it is what you do on the pitch that counts and I believe we will show our true potential on the pitch. Out there, there is no hiding place."

But despite Arsenal's position as holders, Manchester United are still seen as title favourites - especially after spending so much money on Leeds' England defender Rio Ferdinand.

"Just because they make one big signing doesn't mean they will buy their way to success," warned Wenger.

"Manchester United are only favourites for the championship because more people want to have a bet on them than us. But it's what happens on the pitch that counts, nothing else. People can talk about whatever they want, I still believe it's down to us rather than them.

"As for money, I'm happy with what I have," Wenger continued. "The fact you don't have too much to splash out can make you. You have to think more and you have to find different solutions to your problems.

"Balancing the books on a budget and bringing success to the club - I find that part of the job rewarding and challenging."

*******************

I expected better. Clearly Wenger felt the need to respond to Fergie's comments. I don't see how aiming for Manchester United's pockets is exploiting a weakness of ours though. Poor effort from the Frenchman. We'll see what the Wizard of OT has to say tomorrow....

[Motterman]

Originally posted by 442
I'm not trying to troll, just honestly wondering: Do you ManU fans tire of Sir Alex's antics? Listen, I think he is a great manager and his record speaks for itself. But sometimes don't you wish he'd just keep quite?

Again, not trying to troll, just wondering if you like it when he tries these "mind games" or would prefer he shut up.

I find it amusing. It's good for a laugh. It only becomes a "mind game" if the other manager lets it. THAT'S the amusing part.

It's not like anything is going on till the season starts, you know?

[benine]

Originally posted by 442
I'm not trying to troll, just honestly wondering: Do you ManU fans tire of Sir Alex's antics? Listen, I think he is a great manager and his record speaks for itself. But sometimes don't you wish he'd just keep quite?

Again, not trying to troll, just wondering if you like it when he tries these "mind games" or would prefer he shut up.

I agree with Moterman. I mean, by no means do I see it as something the club needs , and it doesnt really help much (sort of did the opposite last season), but it's funny to see how worked up people get in responding to it. And SAF I think is very tounge in cheek about the whole thing because he always has the last word, never responds to Arsen/Gerrard's retorts. The best managers of all sports know how to use the media to get inside peoples heads and SAF has figured that out.
But then again, sometimes I wonder why he wants to give other teams any extra motivation to beat ManU; and if I really cared that people hate me so much just because of ManU (i know its too late for the club to make any diplomatic inroads), i'd be very ashamed at the level of arrogance that it puts the club on...

[mactheknife]

nothing else to read during preseason...