Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, who knows a thing or two about winning trophies, tipped Germany to win Euro 2008 on Tuesday, predicting they would beat Spain in Sunday’s final in Vienna.
He also said that Michael Ballack, who plays for Arsenal’s London rivals Chelsea, had been the most consistent player in the tournament so far, although he also praised Russian forward Andrei Arshavin who has inspired his team after being suspended for the opening two matches.
Wenger told reporters that Germany had a mental toughness other teams lacked and believed ‘they would edge’ Spain in the final.
Germany face Turkey in their semi-final in Basel tonight while Spain meet Russia in Vienna tomorrow evening.
“Germany always appear to have unrest in the camp, but when they go into a match they are united. They are one of the few countries I know whose players can have a go against each other in the newspapers two days before a game, but they go into a game united and very strong.
“They always have a kind of simplicity in their collective game. They never use too many touches, they keep it simple and they play as a team, and in the final third they are very efficient.”
He singled out captain Ballack as their main inspiration.
“I believe that he has brought a new dimension to his game and is the undoubted leader of the team.
“Lukas Podolski is also having a great tournament, but if you look at Michael Ballack, he makes his team play, he is efficient, he can score goals. He has been the most consistent player in the tournament since the opening day.”
“I think Germany will edge Spain in the final. They have a belief that comes from their history and that history gives them strength.
“Spain’s biggest handicap is that they haven’t won anything for more than 30 years, play two or three games and then go home. Germany have massive belief and you saw that in the quarter-finals. All the teams were at the same level technically. What made the difference was their mental aspect.”
Wenger also praised Russia and said they had ‘improved dramatically’ since he saw them lose to Israel in the qualifiers, and agreed that Arshavin had made an enormous impact in Russia’s last two matches.
Despite tipping Spain to beat Russia in the semi-final on Thursday, Wenger said:
“Russia have the best movement on and off the ball, and they use space better than any other team. What is quite amazing is that Russia is the only country where a player like Arshavin suddenly comes to the world’s attention at the age of 27. That is not possible anyhere else.
“I wish I’d seem him at 21 or 22. I predict he will come to the Premier League, or go to a big club in Italy. The way he plays is something very special.”
Wenger’s prediction of where Arshavin will be going seems to be wrong though. The Russian playmaker has his eyes set on a move to Spanish giant Barcelona, with five clubs already putting in offers for the highly-rated 27-year-old.
Do you agree with Wenger? The Gunners boss believes Germany have the upper hand over their European counterparts; technically and mentally.
He also stated that Michael Ballack is the most consistent player in the tournament. Certainly an interesting opinion, something I don’t actually agree with. Personally, I believe Spain have the most consistent player in keeper’ Iker Casillas who has had a magnificent championship so far.
What do you think? We want your opinion, on Gooner Talk.
Tags: arshavin, ballack, casillas, Germany, russia, turkey, Wenger
June 25, 2008 at 6:11 pm
Why did I see Wenger giving a press conferance? He’s just a spectator, god would people leave him be. Setting him up for a press conferance while he’s out getting a breakfast roll or a croissant. He’s being mobbed everywhere like the Beatles or Britney. Ballack’s doing alright by the way, he’s stepping up when Germany needs him. Kind of like Fabregas who should be starting instead of Xavi cause he’s not offensive enough.
June 25, 2008 at 6:12 pm
Its the most unrealistic transfer i can think about but i would love Ballack on our midfield with Fabregas. He is one of the biggetst winners in the world and everyone in the Arsenal squad would be 10% better with him on the field!
June 25, 2008 at 6:13 pm
This article might explain why Wenger keeps being interviews Marko:
Link
June 25, 2008 at 6:14 pm
I guess that means he will not be going for arshavin???
June 25, 2008 at 6:14 pm
He’s far too busy. Who’s looking after his wife.
June 25, 2008 at 6:15 pm
I’d apply for that job.
June 25, 2008 at 6:15 pm
Espana all the way!!! Come on Cescy!!!
June 25, 2008 at 6:16 pm
Unlikely we’ll sign Arshavin. If he did come it would almost certainly mean Hleb’s off.
June 25, 2008 at 6:19 pm
Hleb’s as good as gone. He wants to go and if he went and we replaced him with Arshavin then we wouldn’t miss him one bit. Arshavin is very similar to Hleb and he gets in positions and can score goals.
June 25, 2008 at 6:23 pm
There is still a possiblity that Hleb will stay. Wenger wants to offer him a new contract, and I personally believe he’ll accept it if its “big enough” for him.
June 25, 2008 at 6:23 pm
I think he might be right about Germany, but I don’t think Ballack was all that until the game against Portugal, but he’s probably coming good at the right time.
June 25, 2008 at 6:28 pm
Sell Hleb, sell Ade, Wenger always replaces, and Ade isnt as good as he thinks he is. Wenger said about Ade ” He has never been prolific at scoring in his career, shows how he has improved and Strikers do well at Arsenal” In kind of those words. Ade missed so may chances towards the end of the season. He will be a miss, but think he will miss Arsenal more than we will miss him
June 25, 2008 at 7:50 pm
We’ll said jillu….
& it shows how world class he really is wanting to go to a side that is not even in the CL & has just made it in to the CL in the last few yrs by pure luck..
June 25, 2008 at 11:00 pm
toatally agree with wegner….ballacks bin the most cinsistent..shit he scored 2 wiinning goals already and one of them was a free kik…mind u the only free kik goal in da trounament…..ballack roks and germany all da way baby
June 26, 2008 at 12:55 am
Hleb goes.. Podolski coming in.. Don’t ask, just a feeling after what Arsene said.
June 26, 2008 at 1:11 am
Oh me.. too many names, I meant Pavlichenco, and here’s what Arsene said.
“Russia have a player in Pavlyuchenko who opens space for others. You think he won’t go again and, yes, he goes again. He opens the door for other players and he does it extremely well.”
June 26, 2008 at 2:33 pm
The biggest joke of the century!!!!
sky sports news saying we have interest in peter crouch!!!!
June 26, 2008 at 3:29 pm
hey!! what about supporting your players go Spain Cesc remeber him hes on the squad. Germany wins ha Espana all the way!!!!
June 28, 2008 at 3:17 pm
I think he’s disrespecting Fabregas and possible Spanish Future players like Villa and or others in the future. He should have remained neutral. Who do we like in Germany anyways?? Ballack, Lehman? They both suck in the premier league anyways!