Source: Daily_Mail
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger: My boys in the snoods suffer from bad necks
Arsene Wenger has claimed his Arsenal stars are sporting snoods for medical reasons. [LNB]The Gunners boss insists the trendy neck pieces are not just fashion accessories or desperate measures to keep out the cold but could actually help his players avoid further injury. [LNB] Play it again, Sam: Nasri has been sporting the snood in recent games [LNB]Wenger said: 'I got advice from the medical team. We had some players with neck problems before the Aston Villa game (on November 27) - (Samir) Nasri and (Marouane) Chamakh. 'That's why we decided to let them wear them, because they had some medical issues.'[LNB] The logic is that snoods insulate the neck muscles, bringing more blood and therefore more oxygen to the affected area. But Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson, whose side host Arsenal on Monday night, has banned his players from wearing them. [LNB]Ferguson said: 'They're for powder puffs' and told his squad: 'Real men don't wear things like that. Get them off.' [LNB] Big Mo: Chamakh has also been wearing the fashionable neck-warmers for 'health reasons'[LNB]United defender Rio Ferdinand has also poured scorn on the idea, writing on his Twitter page: 'You won't see a Man Utd player wearing a snood. I don't care if your players do or don't wear snoods. I just said we won't be.' [LNB]Arsenal will travel to Old Trafford a point ahead of United, having played one game more, and Wenger is confident his side can make an important statement by beating Ferguson's side in their own back yard. [LNB]Snood joke: Ferdinand insists United players won't be donning the neck-warmers [LNB]The Arsenal boss said: 'We respect the strength of Manchester United but we feel we have a good chance to beat them.[LNB] 'In every competition we are in a strong position. That means we are becoming strong, mature, that we know what we want, that we have focus in every single game. [LNB]'Against Partizan (Belgrade) we were not at our best, but we still managed to win the game. That is a sign of maturing as a team.[LNB] 'Monday is, even more, an opportunity to show we have grown, that we are a different team and that we are up to a different level. 'If we are in December and top of the league, that means the other teams have not done better than us, and that we have the qualities to beat them.' [LNB]Wenger will make a late decision on whether to include captain Cesc Fabregas in his squad for the trip to United, but said he would not take an 'unreasonable gamble' on the midfielder's hamstring injury. [LNB]The Arsenal manager praised Andrey Arshavin's efforts this season. The Russian was frank about the Gunners' defensive problems earlier this week, but failed to shine in Wednesday's Champions League victory. [LNB]But Wenger said: 'He doesn't frustrate me because I invite him to play the game that is Arshavin's game. That means to go forward and provoke. There are some days it doesn't work. [LNB]'He has a game that is based on risk (and) on incisive passes so, of course, when he takes one risk and it doesn't work for him, he takes another one.[LNB] 'Sometimes people are impatient with his decision-making. But if you look at the numbers of Arshavin in the Premier League, you will see that he is the best passer and has more assists than anybody. That means - based on gambling - (he is) very efficient. [LNB]'Arshavin has great quality. He analyses very well, is very honest and has fantastic objective assessment of his own performance. He is very demanding for himself so I have a huge respect for him.'[LNB] Chilean miners to be guests of honour at Man United v Arsenal showdownArsenal in crisis! Manchester United's Patrice Evra launches stinging attack on north London 'training centre' ahead of title showdownFerdinand and Scholes passed fit to line up for United against ArsenalARSENAL FC
