Arsene Wenger was asked about a range of topics in Thursday’s press conference ahead of the game against Watford.
The Arsenal manager discussed Marc Overmars, George Weah and the possibility of playing on Christmas Eve.
This is what he had to say:
on whether Watford are stronger than they have been for a while…
They are a strong side. They have strong results, they’re a balanced team who are dangerous and play good football. They’re tough opponents for everybody.
on Marco Silva…
He has impressed, because I think Watford play good football. He was at Hull where he had a very good start as well and overall I think he has done very well.
on Marc Overmars coming back to Arsenal in some capacity…
No [it’s not true], at the moment he’s a director at Ajax. We have always been in touch, yes, but at the moment no.
on whether he will come back here as director of football…
Not at the moment, no.
on Christmas Eve football…
I know that we have to adapt to the schedule dictated by TV, but overall I would say if that happens personally I don’t think any game should be played after two o’clock at the latest on Christmas Eve because Christmas Day in England is the 25th.
on Christmas Eve fixtures…
You call me a a traditionalist, yes why not. If it’s a good tradition yes I’m always for it, it’s good. Personally I would prefer to be at my home on Christmas night and celebrate Christmas, but I still feel that could happen if we played early on the day and what you wouldn’t like to sacrifice is the evening with the family for people. Overall we go towards society where religion isn’t considered anymore in any decision and where people want as well to watch football in the Christmas period.
on George Weah…
I would like to congratulate one of my former players, who became president of Liberia, George Weah. It is not often that you have a former player who becomes a president of a country and so well done Georgie and I would say just for him to keep his enthusiasm and his desire to learn and to win.
Copyright 2024 The Arsenal Football Club Limited. Permission to use quotations from this article is granted subject to appropriate credit being given to www.arsenal.com as the source.
