A
Anonymous
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This is found in the book "A Fan for All Seasons" by Laurence Marks.
Hill-wood told him that during the first double season, there was a row in the tabloids that Anelka was shouting off about Overmars never giving him the ball during the game. Hill-wood confirms the tabloids' story is true. So what did Wenger do?
Wenger, who speaks no Dutch, called both players together in the dressing room to get the problem out in the open. He told Overmars, who speaks no French, in English that he would have to speak to Anelka in French to get to the root of the problem. Overmars agreed.
Wenger asked Anelka in French what was his problem and what did he think of Overmars. Anelka went on and on about how selfish Overmars is, how he dislikes him and went into a chain of French expletives. Wenger sat perfectly calm, finished listened and then asked Anelka, "Do you feel better having got that off your chest, Nicholas?" Anelka nodded.
Wenger then turned to Overmars and told him in English that Anelka was extremely sorry to have caused Overmars any problems and that he thought Overmars was a wonderful player and perhaps he could consider giving him the ball more as Anelka is sure they will play well together.
Overmars was happy. Anelka was relieved and happy. Wenger is simply brilliant.
No wonder Peter Hill-Wood said in the book that it was the best decision, hiring Wenger, that he had ever made as Arsenal Chairman.
Hill-wood told him that during the first double season, there was a row in the tabloids that Anelka was shouting off about Overmars never giving him the ball during the game. Hill-wood confirms the tabloids' story is true. So what did Wenger do?
Wenger, who speaks no Dutch, called both players together in the dressing room to get the problem out in the open. He told Overmars, who speaks no French, in English that he would have to speak to Anelka in French to get to the root of the problem. Overmars agreed.
Wenger asked Anelka in French what was his problem and what did he think of Overmars. Anelka went on and on about how selfish Overmars is, how he dislikes him and went into a chain of French expletives. Wenger sat perfectly calm, finished listened and then asked Anelka, "Do you feel better having got that off your chest, Nicholas?" Anelka nodded.
Wenger then turned to Overmars and told him in English that Anelka was extremely sorry to have caused Overmars any problems and that he thought Overmars was a wonderful player and perhaps he could consider giving him the ball more as Anelka is sure they will play well together.
Overmars was happy. Anelka was relieved and happy. Wenger is simply brilliant.
No wonder Peter Hill-Wood said in the book that it was the best decision, hiring Wenger, that he had ever made as Arsenal Chairman.
