Source: Telegraph
Arsene Wenger: I considered resigning Matthew Upson for Arsenal
Upson, who will captain West Ham against Arsenal at Upton Park on Sunday, was the first defender Wenger bought after arriving at Highbury 13 years ago, yet the form of Tony Adams, Steve Bould, Martin Keown, Sol Campbell and Kolo Touré, as well as a serious knee injury, restricted his opportunities.
"I knew when he left that he would make a big career, but at that moment when Matthew was here, he was impatient," said Wenger. "That I could understand as well because I bought him from Luton and after a few years he didn't play here. I didn't stop him because I knew he had qualities to play in the Premier League .
"He had the potential to be international quality. He was always in my mind. Upson has good quality, good attitude, good spirit. Three, four, five years ago yes, [I would have liked to sign him] but now he is settled and has a good career."
Wenger, who has admitted that he was physically sick after some losses as a younger manager, expressed his sympathy with Gianfranco Zola's situation at West Ham.
"Resistance to stress is one of the qualities you must have," he said. "At the bottom of the table it's only negative stress – if you do not win the worse can happen to the club and you feel a bit more responsible for the safety of the club."
Wenger also said that he had spoken with Stan Kroenke, the club's largest shareholder, at the AGM on Thursday.
"He is interested in sport and football but I do not ask him specifically why he invests in Arsenal Football Club – it is not my problem," said Wenger. "He loves sport and he loves to do well."
