Anfield is my favourite stadium: Wenger

18 Nov, 2016 - 00:11 0 Views

The ManicaPost

Arsene Wenger has led his Arsenal team at almost all of Europe’s most famous stadiums during his two decades in charge, but Anfield tops the Frenchman’s list of iconic venues.

When asked to name his favourite stadium, the Gunners boss chose Anfield due to the atmosphere and ‘special vibes’ created by the Liverpool supporters and their regular renditions of ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’.

Wenger admitted Arsenal’s former home, Highbury, was his favourite ground before the club left for the Emirates in 2006, but the history and atmosphere of Anfield means it is now top of the list.

“My favourite stadium with biggest fanbase with the most heated atmosphere is Liverpool because there’s special vibes there,” Wenger told Bein Sports.

“The song before the game, ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’, the history of the club and the stadium itself.”

“Before it was Highbury. It had a special soul. Now it’s Everton, Liverpool, Newcastle was great too.

“Football is like what it was 30 years ago because of the environment of the game. The passion, the soul of the stadium. It has the most heated, supportive atmosphere.”

Wenger lost his first visit to Anfield 4-2 in November 1996 and had to wait until his sixth visit in 2001 to secure his first victory.

In total, Wenger’s Arsenal have won seven, drawn seven and lost nine of his 23 visits, scoring 38 goals and conceding 45.

Arsenal travel to face Liverpool on March 4, having lost 4-3 to Jurgen Klopp’s side on the opening day at the Emirates.

Meanwhile, Jamie Vardy and Raheem Sterling will be pleased that Romanian referee Ovidiu Hategan embraced the general attitude of international referees in showing leniency in friendlies.

The Leicester forward followed through with a high boot and studs-showing tackle which caught Cesar Azpilicueta on the shin after just six minutes.

In any other game there would have been a debate between the colour of card — Hategan showed neither.

The referee remained in this mode through until the 25th minute allowing two Spanish players to escape yellow cards but then a really poor challenge by Raheem Sterling left him with no option but to start disciplinary action.

I could make a case for the tackle to warrant a red card but Hategan could have prevented the tackle by awarding England a free kick for a foul on Danny Rose just before Sterling’s reckless rake down his opponent’s shin in the 31st minute.

Yellow cards quickly followed for Spain’s Inigo Martinez for pulling Theo Walcott back when the winger was clear and away from the Spanish defence.

Walcott himself was then cautioned one minute later as Hategan paid the price for his over leniency early on. Now he was refereeing properly and Rose was rightly cautioned right on half time for another poor tackle. – Daily Mail Sport

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