All is forgiven, but not forgotten between Arjen Robben and Arsene Wenger.
With European giants Bayern Munich and Arsenal set to lock horns at the Emirates on Tuesday in a crucial Champions League tie for the Gunners, the Dutch superstar held nothing but praise for the long-serving French manager.
Last time these two sides clashed, in the Champions League round of 16 two seasons back, Le Prof infamously labeled Robben as “a very good diver”, but the player himself admits that he holds no hard feelings over those remarks, as he went on to hail Wenger as a “unique” manager.
I met him in Brazil,” said Robben, speaking to The Telegraph. “It was not a problem at all. No hard feelings. I’m quite easy that way.”
“If they lose some managers are disappointed and not always fair and realistic,” he says with a shrug. “Maybe one week after, they say: ‘OK, maybe it was wrong what I said.’ But I haven’t got a problem. I think he’s unique. To be there for such a long time you are doing a lot of things very, very well. See the players who became better. Look at the way Arsenal has developed. In Holland or Germany, they always talk positive about Arsenal. Why? The way they play, no negative football, always positive technical football, wanting to make the game. I think that is big credit to him.”
The north London side, having lost their first two European fixtures, head into Tuesday’s meeting on a roll, yet many still do not favor Wenger’s crew for the win. Nonetheless, Robben warns his team against underestimating Arsenal.
“I think they have got enough quality,” the Dutchman added. “I thought last season they did very well. They won prizes; the FA Cup and the Community Shield. They looked very stable and this year they look very strong. I was really surprised to see them lose two Champions League games but, on their good day, I think they can beat any team and we have to be aware.”
