Forget about the World Cup, Wenger tells players

Published on Monday 23 November 2009 22:57

ARSENE Wenger has told his Arsenal stars to forget about the World Cup and concentrate on driving the Gunners to success both in the Barclays Premier League and Europe.

Arsenal can secure a place in the last 16 of the Champions League with a draw against Standard Liege at Emirates Stadium tonight. However, the Gunners fell eight points behind leaders Chelsea following a 1-0 defeat at Sunderland on Saturday, when they were without Holland striker Robin van Persie, who damaged ankle ligaments while on international duty. England forward Theo Walcott, however, made a return to action from what has been an injury-plagued start to the campaign, and could feature again tonight.

Wenger, though, says that first and foremost it is the job of his players to deliver the goods for Arsenal, rather than worrying about what they may be able to achieve in South Africa next year.

"For me, the big season is with Arsenal, not at the World Cup," Wenger declared. "We do not pay players to go to the World Cup – we pay the players to do well for Arsenal. The first pride of a man is to do well for the guy who pays you in life, not to go to the World Cup."

But captain Cesc Fabregas accepts performing well for Arsenal can help him become first choice for Spain. He said: "I can understand the boss' point. He wants Arsenal to do well, the national team is secondary. Sometimes I don't play for Spain, so I want to play well for Arsenal to start in the World Cup."