Arsene Wenger turns 67 on Saturday but says any celebrations are entirely dependent on how tomorrow’s game against Middlesbrough goes.
It seems the Arsenal manager had forgotten it was his birthday, and he believes that his age is something he has to battle against as he gets older.
“I forgot about that!” he said when reminded of the fact. “Your age quickly becomes a psychological excuse to get rid of you. It’s like being a player.
“Once you get to a certain age you have a bad game and they think: ‘You have to go.’ That’s why the demands are even higher than before.
“I live in a competitive world and it’s down to what I produce that has to be judged. My age should not interfere with that, but if you don’t do well the age quickly becomes the problem.”
And despite earlier refusing to expand on his intentions when it comes to a new contract, it’s clear a life without football is something that concerns him.
“Nobody lives a whole life by being motivated by the next game, stops suddenly and goes to church every day,” he continued.
“If God exists and one day I go up there and he will ask: ‘Do you want to come in? What have you done in your life?’ And the only answer I will have is: ‘I tried to win football games.’
“He will say: ‘Is that all you have done?’ And the only answer I will have is: ‘It’s not as easy as it looks.’”
I mean, what can you say to that? Brilliant.
“I believe that you forget your age if you are in good health and all the rest inside you is a love for competition and a love to improve every day,” he said.
“I never liked the retirement word. We are there to be active and to fight. Life is no other issue than to fight until the last day of your life as much as you can.”
Whatever side of the Wenger fence you’re on, he is a unique character with a fantastic turn of phrase.
Let’s hope he has a very happy birthday tomorrow, because that will mean we’ve got another three points under our belt.
Only one Arsene Wenger!
Happy Birthday Arsene, you are a bone fide legend.
Bone fide? Sure you’re not looking for the Coquelin thread? 😉
Arsene don’t worry, Bergkamp won’t ask too many questions…
he may ask AW why did you substitute me so often?
I love this man. He oozes class. Yes, at times he’s frustrating, but my goodness we are blessed to have him.
Make the most of it guys.
Le Professeur? More like Le Philosopher amirite?
Brilliant man. Cheers to him on his 67th!
people some of you don’t know how lucky we are and have been to have had this gem of a human being at our beloved club for the last 20 years…If I were God, I’d say to him: “here come over here and take over from me for a while while I check out this Arsenal football coaching lark…I like the look of that Mesut chap”…
What a man! Absolute class.
ALLES GUTE ZUM GEBURTSTAG CHEF WENGER
Probably something similar to the traditional response to door-to-door Jehovah’s Witnesses, I should think.
“Hello, we are witnesses of our lord Jehovah.”
“Ah excellent. I’m Jehovah – how are we doing?”
Ah, don’t worry Arsene, Bergkamp will totally understand.
i was going to say – we already know what he’d say to god. he coached him for years.
“He will say: ‘Is that all you have done?’ And the only answer I will have is: ‘It’s not as easy as it looks.’”
A little self deprecating perhaps? I think he knows his obsession of football is unparalleled, perhaps unhealthy.
Le boss is a legend. Happy birthday sir, I raise a glass to you for all the happy times you have given me as an Arsenal fan.
Feliz cumpleaños Arsène!
And the Lord said ” let there be Arsene, and let him manage the Arsenal ” , and it was good.
Preach Arsene! Preach!
I share the same birth day (not the year) with Arsene Wenger.. Really proud of the fact…
Happy Birthday!
Thank you Martin…
I share the same birthday date with him .. except the month and the year…
I know, I know … I’ll kick myself out..
At least u have an answer to God, u will not be like that servant who was given one talent and went buried it underground and when the master came to collect from His servants, the one who was given 5 gave another 5 more and the one with 2 he gave two more but the last who had one he returned only one telling the master that he can’t harvest from where he didn’t sow. The master didn’t spare him in His kingdom, so at least wenger God will spare u for the games u have won.
How many talents does Wenger have?
28 in total.
Oi dennis, y u not play in the legends match bruv?
#winitforwenger
Please. Give him one more title.
* at least
Whatever you might believe, you have to admit that the idea of a moral universe is very, very attractive when you think about its implications for people like Jose Mourinho and John Terry.
Genius.
“He will say: ‘Is that all you have done?’ And the only answer I will have is: ‘It’s not as easy as it looks.’”
I am already looking forward to reading his book which is why I want to know when it’s coming out. It will make a very interesting read no doubt.
God bless you mr Wenger
If there is a God, brilliant, let alone the fact that he managed him
Happy birthday to you sir. The powerful football legendary
“If God exists and one day I go up there and he will ask: ‘Do you want to come in? What have you done in your life?’ And the only answer I will have is: ‘I tried to win football games.’
Made me grin from ear 2 ear.
Then this: “He will say: ‘Is that all you have done?’ And the only answer I will have is: ‘It’s not as easy as it looks.’”
Ledge!!
Every time I think he has used up every possible perfect turn of phrase, he comes out with gems that are even more perfecter than ever.
If there is a god, I hope he grants Wenger many more years at Arsenal.
Srecan rodjendan Arsène.
How can anyone not love this man when he comes out with gems such as “He will say: ‘Is that all you have done?’ And the only answer I will have is: ‘It’s not as easy as it looks.’”
Arsene has said some clever and funny stuff through the years, but for me, this is one of the best.
Last season I firmly believed that Arsene needs to go and we needed a new manager with fresh ideas. No, after seeing us going on a positive streak, playing well and finally (although admittedly late, but better late than never as they say) addressing the gaping areas in the squad, I believe again. Also, it feels like luck is a bit more on our side in matches this season, as opposed to last season. And I never want him to leave. Comparing him and Ferguson, who retired 4 years older than Arsene, seeing how Arsene thinks, lives and how fit… Read more »
A class act, as always, all the time.
Now, I know there is God, and the one thing I am asking him is to grant this man one more title……it will be the very least that he deserves!
* at effin least
Aren’t these people getting your sermon?
I really can’t see any grounds for not supporting Arsene as an Arsenal fan. I think history will consider him keeping us in the top four through the lean years to be a major accomplishment and we are now challenging for the league and playing attractive football. It would be lovely if fans sang happy birthday to him today.
Bonne anniversary Le Professor. Nous êtes in home superior!
““If God exists and one day I go up there, he will ask: ‘Do you want to come in? What have you done in your life?’ And the only answer I will have is: ‘I tried to win football games.’
“He will say: ‘Is that all you have done?’ And the only answer I will have is: ‘It’s not as easy as it looks.’”
This might just be Arsene’s greatest ever quote, and that’s saying something.
Off topic.
Hope Wilshere is MoM today and gets a positive result.
O gole o lekane le tlou!
Many happy returns to the most grounded, inspirational figure in my life.
Love his views on life and football, and we have been blessed to have him as part of our club.
The only wiseman standing#Wenger…