By Boris Mellor
April 15 2005

Wenger was asked today about Pennant’s claim that young English players do not get a fair chance at Highbury. Arsene replied that Pennant had been given a lot of support, but it was probably best for his future that he had a fresh start somewhere else.

 He hoped that Pennant would remember that he had had a good football education at Arsenal.

Wenger did not check passports and didn’t care where players came from. It was hard for all players to break into the Arsenal team, because it was full of world class players. The reason for so many foreign players at Arsenal was because English players of the same quality cost a lot more.

However he wished Jermaine well and believed he was a big talent, with a big career ahead of him, if he can forgot about not succeeding at Arsenal. If that was the case there might be a time when he could come back and rejoin Arsenal.

Oh yes the preview:

Just when we thought we had a full squad again (or at least I did this morning) the shock news of Henry’s groin strain became public. Even more worrying he might not be fit for the Russkis. So Flamini, Sol, Almunia, Clichy and Henry will all miss the Semi Final tomorrow. But Edu, Reyes, and Freddy all return. It means we have plenty of strikers to chose from – including Bergkamp, Reyes, Van Persie and Aliadiere.

The dilemma as to who to play at centre back has been resolved, as Arsene doesn’t believe Sol is fit enough. Therefore it should be Kolo and big Phil at the back. He may well be keeping Sol back for the Chelsea game.

Well it was a tough game in the league, against Blackburn, but we narrowly shaved it. Maybe Cardiff will suit us, it’s almost a second home to Arsenal, the pitch should be in good condition and the wide-open space could also suit. However Blackburn can break quickly (or hoof quickly rather), so Kolo needs to avoid mad rushes up field. Freddy is fit and loves scoring at Semi’s, and Finals, so even with Henry out we should manage it.