Wenger: Zlatan Could Be Too Old For The Premier League
Arsene Wenger has claimed that Zlatan Ibrahimovic might be too old to have an impact in the Premier League.
Ibrahimovic signed for United this summer on a free transfer, after his contract with Paris Saint-Germain expired at the end of last season. Despite his unbelievable qualities and the incredible success he has enjoyed at all of the clubs he has played for, Wenger hinted that, at the age of 34, Ibrahimovic may struggle to adapt to the Premier League.
In an interview with Arsenal’s official website, he said: “Honestly I don’t know [how he will get on].
“Going for him is his class, his talent, his desire to do well. What goes against him is that he is not the youngest player anymore, so you are questioned about that in every game.
“From what I saw of him last year at Paris Saint-Germain, it was his most complete season as an individual player and as a team player. He became a really great team player last season.Also See:
“On the mental aspect he will bring something to Man United as well. He is a winner, he has charisma and he will give them a strength as well as his individual quality.”
Wenger famously, and quite hilariously, missed out on Zlatan Ibrahimovic when the Swede was still a teenager. In an interview with The Telegraph, the striker told the story about how everything was set for him to join the London club, but Wenger wanted him to have a trial, to which he replied: ‘Zlatan doesn’t do auditions.’
Zlatan was quoted as saying: “Arsene gave me the famous red and white jersey – the No 9 shirt with Ibrahimovic on it and I was so pleased I even posed for a picture wearing it. It was a fantastic moment for me. Arsenal had a great team then and here was an Arsenal shirt made just for me.
“So then I waited for him to convince me that I should join Arsenal. But he didn’t even try. He never actually made me a serious offer, it was more, ‘I want to see how good you are, what kind of player you are. Have a trial’.
“I couldn’t believe it. I was like, ‘No way, Zlatan doesn’t do auditions’. I thought ‘You either know me or you don’t and if you don’t know me you can’t really want me’.”
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