LIVERPOOL: Arsene Wenger admits the departure of Jay Bothroyd was ‘one of his regrets’ as Arsenal manager.
And he is hoping Nicklas Bendtner won’t be another after the Danish striker expressed his frustration at a lack of first-team football.
It was the only disappointment for Wenger on Sunday after a 2-1 win at Everton took his side into second place in the Premier League, within two points of leaders Chelsea.
Wenger said: “It is very difficult for me for a player to say he doesn’t want to play. There’s nothing special in that.
“He was not in the squad (against Everton) because he had a little groin problem and I left him at home.
“I want him to stay. I’ve known Nicklas since he was 16 years old. I have a strong, good rapport with him, good communication and I like him as a player and as a person, even if I do not necessarily agree with all his statements. Overall I want him to stay and be part of the group.”
Bothroyd was one that got away and the striker is in line for his England debut tomorrow against France after an impressive campaign at Championship side Cardiff City.
The 28-year-old left the Gunners at 18 after an angry reaction in a youth team game when he threw his shirt at coach Don Howe after being taken off.
“He is one of my regrets, Bothroyd, because he left very early,” added Wenger.
“The incident didn’t happen in the first-team group, it happened in the youth team and Liam Brady is responsible for that. They made the decision and I didn’t stand in their way because it was a disciplinary matter.
“He had a little outcome you can have when you are 16, 17, when you are upset, but he is a good guy. He is a classy, left-footed player, strong body and has fantastic technique.
“Like all these talented players, sometimes they only realise later that they have talent but you have to work as well.”
Arsenal’s work ethic came to the fore at Goodison Park as they ground out a victory that put them firmly in the title race.
Bacary Sagna powered in the opener for his first goal in two years and captain Cesc Fabregas added the crucial second three minutes after the break when he drove into the corner after a quick break.
Everton claimed a last-minute consolation when Tim Cahill pounced, but Arsenal were not to be denied a third successive away league win.
Wenger added: “I feel the performance has shown we have not only quality football but spirit and fighting spirit which are ingredients you need if you to fight for the title.
“The most important quality we have shown was discipline, commitment, togetherness, desire, 100 per cent focus for 90 minutes and we got the three points. When you come here without that you don’t get the three points.
“I’ve said it for a long time but we get a lot of encouragement from the way we play at the moment, with our discipline and our focus.
“We had two very difficult away games with Wolves and this and we got six points from the two games which keeps us in a good situation. Let’s get points into our accounts and see where we stand at the end.”
Everton manager David Moyes was deflated by his side’s below-par showing.
He said: “I can’t really say we deserved an awful lot. I didn’t think Arsenal were great on the day but I didn’t think we were.
“We gave away a terrible second goal. We never gave ourselves a chance after half time to get a head of steam and after that it was difficult.
“We didn’t generate anything on the pitch to make it a tougher place for them to come. — AFP