Ex-Arsenal star Denilson says players were to blame for Arsene Wenger’s downfall in trophyless years
DENILSON has insisted Arsene Wenger is not to blame for Arsenal’s trophy drought – but the players are. The Brazilian midfielder did not win any silverware after he joined the Gunners from Sao Paulo in 2006. He teamed up with the likes of Thierry Henry, Gilberto Silva and Jens Lehmann in North London. But the […]
DENILSON has insisted Arsene Wenger is not to blame for Arsenal’s trophy drought – but the players are.
The Brazilian midfielder did not win any silverware after he joined the Gunners from Sao Paulo in 2006.
He teamed up with the likes of Thierry Henry, Gilberto Silva and Jens Lehmann in North London.
But the club endured a devastating nine-year trophy drought after their 2005 FA Cup victory.
Denilson ended up joining Sao Paolo before he joined his former club permanently in 2013.
He left the Premier League giants empty handed – but has insisted Wenger’s management is not to blame.
The 32-year-old told the Guardian: “Wenger’s vision was the right one. If there was anyone to blame it was the players on the pitch.
“There were little mistakes that led to goals.
“Arsene Wenger was one of the best managers I played for.
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“I can only thank him for what he did for me.”
Denilson admitted the pain of not winning a trophy with Arsenal still haunts him to this day.
He added: “One thing that hurts me the most is that not winning a metal with Arsenal.
“We got to two cup finals and lost both.
“I would look at the big rival, which was Manchester United, and believed we played a more beautiful game.
“My team-mates were so talented: Thierry Henry, Gilberto Silva, Jens Lehmann, Cesc Fabregas. Arsenal played the true beautiful football.
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“I can’t understand how we didn’t win a medal and what went wrong.
“I can’t explain it, having that talent, playing so beautifully and not winning anything.”
Wenger lifted three Premier League titles, seven FA Cups and seven Community Sheilds during his 22-year spell with Arsenal..