ARSENE WENGER has revealed his personal Arsenal Dream Team.
And the Gunners boss gives his private verdicts on his best 11 players during his 11 years in the hotseat.
Here’s how Wenger rates the men he has guided to glory — and who feature on a new DVD called Arsene’s XI:
DAVID SEAMAN
(Goalkeeper; 245 apps)
“HE was always so calm, he was always smiling.
“When his back was to the wall he always responded well. He hid his steel behind that nice smile of his.”
LAUREN
(Right-back; 227 apps, 14 sub)
“HE was playing in midfield when I signed him but he didn’t know he would be my replacement for Lee Dixon.
“Lauren’s a very tough guy, you can go to war with him as he is a real winner.
“He will fight the toughest players and never lie down.”
ASHLEY COLE
(Left-back; 218 apps, 10 sub)
“ASHLEY will remain red ’n white all his life.
“He is a defender who loves to attack. Everybody loves him because when you regain possession of the ball, he is there alongside you, ready to attack. A top-level performer.”
MARTIN KEOWN
(Centre-back; 250 apps, 14 sub)
“MARTIN had a tremendous appetite for winning. He was unbelievable in one-on-ones and had the technique but not always the confidence.”
KOLO TOURE
(Centre-back; 217 apps, 27 sub)
“KOLO was turned down by three clubs but I signed him after a short trial.
“His conversion from midfield was an amazing success.
“He has a natural desire to help people, to give everyone and everything 100 per cent.”
FREDDIE LJUNGBERG
(R-midfield; 285 apps, 43 sub)
“I became a fan of his the moment I saw him play forSweden against England. He took on Martin Keown and got past him. When he loses a game he is sick for two days.”
PATRICK VIEIRA
(C-midfield; 393 apps, 9 sub)
“WHEN I knew I was coming to Arsenal, I asked Patrick to come as well. He had it all.
“Whether it was Sheffield Wednesday on a wet Monday or Milan in the Champions League, he gave you his all.”
RAY PARLOUR
(C-midfield; 270 apps, 48 sub)
“LOOK at his medals. It tells you he is one of the biggest-ever players for Arsenal.
“He is better in the last minute than the first. Ray’s an engine that never stops.”
ROBERT PIRES
(L-midfield; 238 apps, 46 sub)
“I think he’s the best left-sided midfielder in the world.
“With the ball at his feet he became a ballet dancer. He will remain one of the greatest- ever players for this club.”
THIERRY HENRY
(Striker; 337 apps, 33 sub)
“HE had lost his appetite at Juve and was convinced he couldn’t score goals!
“But for us he had years when he was the Michael Jordan of football — he could score when he wanted.”
DENNIS BERGKAMP
(Striker; 298 apps, 78 sub)
“He was the most gifted player when I took over. Ask Henry or Ian Wright who they wanted alongside and it was Dennis. You could almost touch his class.”
ARSENE’S XI is out on Monday on DVD and available at all good stores.
