Matthew Upson not bitter about Arsenal rejection

30 January 2009 21:34
Upson returns on Saturday as in-form West Ham attempt to ruin further Arsenal's chances of winning the Premier League. [LNB]Upson joined Arsenal from Luton but made just 35 appearances before being allowed to leave, for Birmingham. Wenger has admitted he remains an admirer of the central defender, and was linked with a transfer window move for the player, now 29. [LNB]Upson could be forgiven for criticising Wenger's policy now, having been allowed to leave, but instead he offered praise for the Frenchman's style. [LNB]"Arsene's recruitment of young players is second to none," Upson said. "He is the master at it and has brought a lot of young players from nowhere into that team and they have gone on to become top players. That is such a great boost for a football club because financially they can bring a player in for next to nothing. It's very impressive. [LNB]"I learnt from the training every day [at Arsenal]. There were so many top players there at the time so you take good habits from all of them."[LNB]Now Upson is to set down roots at Upton Park, where he has been in outstanding form, helping to guide the revolution under Gianfranco Zola. [LNB]"I was always confident I was stopping around," Upson said on the rumours linking him with a move. "The club pointed out their intentions at the start of the transfer window and they've pretty much stuck with them. It shows there is an intention for success at the club, and as long as there is that here, I will enjoy myself."[LNB]

Source: Telegraph