Wenger: Our Germans just the Teutonic
ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger has hailed his German contingent as they look to overcome Schalke at home tonight and take a major step towards the knockout rounds of the Champions League.
Summer signing Lukas Podolski and defender Per Mertesacker, who joined last year, have quickly been embraced by Gunners fans, while Wenger has increasingly favoured Bundesliga imports.
“They have a very professional attitude. They are always ready to work hard. We had good experiences with the German players we had before and as well, they have a very strong team attitude usually,” said Wenger, who has high hopes for German youngsters Serge Gnabry and Thomas Eisfeld.
“I worked in Japan and Japanese players have similar attitudes. I’m not surprised many Japanese players go now to Germany and are very well accepted there.”
Arsenal have maximum points from their two Group B fixtures but stumbled in the Premier League on Saturday with a surprise 1-0 defeat at newcomers Norwich.
“I expect us to respond in a strong way because this team is very ambitious and wants to do very well,” added Wenger, who ruled out injured Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain but declared defender Laurent Koscielny fit again.