Just a quick update tonight. Arsene Wenger has been speaking to a Kenyan newspaper about the World Cup and more importantly Arsenal, transfers and given one of his all time quotes. Here is the first part, unedited. Enjoy.

The interview published by the paper has drawn comment from the club stating it is not true. However, there are people saying an interview was broadcast on TV. It seems that the paper have added their own twist to things so take it all with a pinch of salt.

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APIDI: Thank you for giving me this opportunity to have a word with you Sir.

WENGER: You are welcome. I would prefer you call me Arsene, not Sir because I’m a professor, not Sir. (Referring to Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson).

APIDI: What is your general assessment of how South Africa has hosted the 2010 Fifa World Cup so far?

WENGER: South Africa has done a great job and exceeded expectations. The people are so passionate about the game, stadiums are full, the infrastructure is fantastic and the general organisation is marvelous.

APIDI: Let us talk about the World Cup now. How would you describe the team performances starting with France, your home nation?

WENGER: Well, I’m not supposed to talk about the national team because you all know what happened, but I think there was a problem between the manager and the players. This affected the team spirit on and off the pitch.

APIDI: What about England?

WENGER: They had a good manager, but there was no teamwork. The team was not united, with the captaincy changing hands so many times before the World Cup. They also never had a plan B.

APIDI: What do you mean with plan B?

WENGER: It was clearly evident the same team that started went on to play all the matches, apart from just one change in attack. You need to have players for different situations and challenges.

APIDI: Was leaving Theo Walcott out of the squad a mistake?

WENGER: Yes, it was a big mistake. Walcott is a player who can change a game upside down in the second-half in your favour. He has speed and can cause a lot of problems for the opponents.

APIDI: What is your take on the teams still surviving in the tournament and who do you think will win the World Cup?

WENGER: All the remaining teams have been carried by their midfield, not strikers. Germany have a very good midfield of (Mesut) Ozil, Bastian (Schwensteiger) and (Sami) Khedira. Spain have Inniesta (Andreas), Xavi (Alonso) and Cesc Fabregas. Holland have Arjen Robben and (Wesley) Sneidjer, (Mark) van Bomel. The best midfield will win the World Cup.

APIDI: Any good players you have seen in the tournament?

WENGER: Yes, Ozil (Germany) and Giovanni Dos Santos of Mexico.

APIDI: That takes me to your home; Arsenal.

WENGER: Ah yes, I was waiting for that all this time.

APIDI: Are we likely to see the two (Ozil and Dos Santos) at Arsenal?

WENGER: You can only field 11 players at a time, but we will wait and see.

APIDI: Is Cesc Fabregas leaving Arsenal?

WENGER: I do not see him leaving soon.

APIDI: Any players likely to leave?

WENGER: Yes, Gallas (William) could be on his way out but we will still wait and see.

APIDI: Anyone coming in?

WENGER: Yes. Marouane Chamakh is already in and a defender is on the way too. You will know after the World Cup who will be coming.

APIDI: Goalkeeping let you down last season, anybody going or coming?

WENGER: Manuel Almunia Rivero is a talented goalkeeper. In training, he is superb, the only problem is that he gets nervous on big matches, thereby making silly mistakes. After the World Cup, we will be making an announcement on goalkeeping.

APIDI: Are we likely to see an invincible team again bearing in mind that you have gone a couple of seasons without a trophy?

WENGER: This could be the season that we start getting trophies. Another invincible team is seen coming if not this season.

APIDI: Why do you tend to like blacks?

WENGER: I look at quality, not colour.

APIDI: Your take on African teams in the World Cup?

WENGER: There are very good and talented players in Africa. We need to have youth academies because that is the only way to develop the game. Give the youth a chance and have faith in them, remain principled and be patient.

APIDI: What do you make of Ghana’s striker Asamoah Gyan’s missed penalty in their quarter-final match against Uruguay?

WENGER: He had the pressure of the entire African continent on his feet. He needed to be calm and a little patient. I always tell my players to pick their points and hit the ball hard when taking penalties. I would rather the goalkeeper saves but not hitting the crossbar. It means you were accurate and on target.

APIDI: Have you heard of Kenya?

WENGER: Yes. Very good athletes and recently a Kenyan player (McDonald Mariga) was signed by Inter Milan and played in the Champions League.

APIDI: Would you like to come to Kenya?

WENGER: Yes. With my family for holiday.

APIDI: A Kenyan Arsenal fan committed suicide when the team lost to Manchester United. What message would you have for Kenyan Arsenal fans?

WENGER: What? (shocked) My condolences. To Arsenal fans, keep on supporting Arsenal, another invincible team is on the way. And please, do not commit suicide.

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I fully believe this is a genuine interview, there are some things said in there that are typically Arsene… The depth to which he goes into the midfield tactics for starters. Then there is the reply when asked about black players…‘I look at quality, not at colour’, a quote that should go down in footballing history.

Shades of this will be in the press before long so you have read it in its entirety. There are two parts to it, one is yet to be released by the newspaper and I will be looking it up when it is released and probably posted on here again. If it is not I will link to it anyway.

I’d like to thank a commentor for this, in fact another blog writer too. Pat of JustArsenal – I’ve had my views about that site but full credit to them for this find. Top notch.

Cesc comments are interesting too – will he stay? Only two people know..