Jol: Arsenal era not over yet

14 April 2012

Tottenham boss Martin Jol insists the successful era of north London rivals Arsenal under Arsene Wenger is not at an end

Chelsea are poised to win the Barclays Premiership and are also making it to the last four in the Champions League, but Jol claims last season's champions are still as strong as ever.

Spurs face the Gunners at Highbury on Monday as they bid to win a place in next season's UEFA Cup, with Jol expecting Wenger's side to continue to challenge for the top honours for a while yet.

He said: "Was there ever an Arsenal era? In Holland we had the Ajax era in Holland and now we have the PSV Eindhoven era, but in England it's different.

"Before Chelsea it was always Arsenal and Man United in contention for the title. It's only three seasons since Man United were champions so that's not the end of an era and Arsenal won it last season.

"I think Arsenal will be back. They still have Thierry Henry and he's still young. They have very exciting young players and one of the best defences in England.

"If I was them I would not buy any more players. Robert Pires is still young and so is Henry. Freddie Ljungberg is one of the best and now they have Gilberto back.

"They can do without Edu, a regular in the Brazil team who are the best team in the world. Patrick Vieira wants to prove his point still and at the back they have coped without Sol Campbell while Ashley Cole might be going to Chelsea, so he must be the best available."

Jol admires Wenger's young talent, especially fellow Dutchman Robin van Persie who he regards as the best player Holland have along with Chelsea's Arjen Robben.

Van Persie is one of Arsenal's emerging young players who Jol claims will ensure Arsenal maintain their status as one of the country's most successful clubs.

He said: "Van Persie has the best touch in Holland. He can beat a player with one touch. He has great body movement and in an instant he is gone with the ball.

"Dennis Bergkamp was a legend in Holland. He's very experienced and very fit so he can probably go on for another two years. But Dennis is different and more direct on goal.

"Along with Arjen Robben, van Persie is the biggest talent we have in Holland. But Robben was mature when he was 17 while van Persie was coming through the ranks.

"I spoke to Arsene Wenger at a reserve game earlier this week and he said to me he is such a talent, but in England you have to perform in every game. His problem is that Arsenal have a lot of good players in his position."

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