ARSENAL KIDS CAN RULE
They'll be better than Fergie's babes, says Mikael Silvestre
MIKAEL SILVESTRE today pays Arsenal's kids the ultimate accolade: You can be better than the famous Manchester United babes of Alex Ferguson.
The French defender insists Arsene Wenger's crop of teenage starlets including Theo Walcott, Aaron Ramsey, Jack Wilshire, Carlos Vela and Henri Lansbury can eclipse Fergie's 'Class of the Nineties.'
Silvestre arrived at Old Trafford nine years ago when Ryan Giggs, David Beckham, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt and the Neville brothers were approaching their peak.
He went on to win five Premier League titles, an FA Cup and a Carling Cup before making a surprise move to the Emirates Stadium this summer.
Silvestre, 31, was brought to Arsenal to play a part in nurturing the Gunners' young talent.
And after playing his first two games for his new club this week, he insisted: "Arsenal's kids can be better than the old group at United but there is a long road ahead for them.
"I just hope they are 100 per cent committed for the whole season. It is difficult when they are young to stay focused for such a long period."
Mature
And he warned: "Often in the Premier League you have to go down to the last three games to win it. We can't have any gaps in form and consistency is the key.
"There is great potential in the young players at Arsenal. The problem we have is that as a young team we can control the game but then fall asleep at the back.
"As an experienced player, I need to keep everyone on their toes and help them mature. I just hope I am here long enough to see titles coming in to Arsenal."
Silvestre has returned from injury and made an indifferent start to his Gunners' career.
He looked solid in last week's win over Everton but scored an own goal and was part of a shoddy defensive display in Tuesday's Champions League win at Fenerbahce.
Guide
Silvestre will almost certainly be involved at West Ham today as Wenger has yet to decide on the fitness of William Gallas and Kolo Toure.
And he admitted he needs to raise the level of performances if he is to fulfill his role as a mentor to the next generation of players at the Emirates.
He said: "I have played two games and it's difficult to get consistency. Everyone expects me to guide everyone at the back but I expect my team-mates to do the same.
"I want them to be involved for 90 minutes. At United we played a different way with Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra and Gary Neville. We played together for a long time and now this is a new beginning.
"It's a learning curve and I have to push myself because I am not a real leader. But at this age if I don't try to lead the team it will be a waste."
This article has 8 comments
wow, lots of moaning here. silvestre is a arsenal player now, he's doing his best, so why not back him up? u think get on his back will benefit arsenal?
By pls. Posted October 27 2008 at 12:26 AM.
I respect what he has to say. Hes got five prem titles and is a winner jus coz he was cheap dont mean anything its quality that counts! I dont always agree with Wenger but I agree its time to get behind the team including Sylvestre...
By MarcoPolo. Posted October 26 2008 at 12:45 PM.
that's it, kiss up to your new team, got to try and get some people with your name on them arsenal shirts, rite.
By rob. Posted October 26 2008 at 9:55 AM.
i just dont think you are going to show leadership by scoring own goals! you have started on wrong footing and you have got to pull up your socks.
By kisibo. Posted October 26 2008 at 10:17 AM.
Welcome to Arsenal, Mikael.
Your experience and consistency is exactly what we need. I think you'll make a brilliant addition to the squad.
I admired your performances at Man. U. and think you have a real role to play at Arsenal as mentor to the younger players.
By Jack. Posted October 26 2008 at 9:12 AM.
he is very bad i admit, but he is all we can afford. no multi-million pound defenders are ever gonna arrive at arsenal, so just get behind my team everyone.
By arsene whinger. Posted October 26 2008 at 9:16 AM.
He may believe in the young players but can never be a leader.i think he should improve his game instead of tryin to woo the fans.arsene pls we dont want own goal scoring defender
By Adenuga temitope R. Posted October 26 2008 at 6:29 AM.
Even though am an Arsenal supporter am not sure i will ever warm up to him.He's always been linked to United and because he's French he gets signed on to play crap for Arsenal.
Just shut and enjoy your weekly wages.If we dont win anything this season,some if not most of the senior players will be leaving for more kids without experience to come in,have fun and leave when the see no light at the end of the tunnel.
If this is your way of making the supporters warm up to you then u wrong.for a start,stop scoring against your own team!!
By Frederick. Posted October 26 2008 at 5:19 AM.