Wenger: Pressure won't worry Hoddle

Arsene Wenger today predicted that incoming Tottenham manager Glenn Hoddle will be able to cope with the pressure.

The Arsenal manager, whose side play Tottenham in the Premiership at Highbury tomorrow and in an FA Cup semi-final at Old Trafford on Sunday week, said: "There will be pressure on Glenn but I feel sure he can cope with it.

"He was England manager for three years so he is used to it. You have to remember that he did not lose that job for any football reasons. That whole experience would have toughened him up. You always learn from everything that happens and I am sure that Glenn will have done that.

"Tottenham are a club with great potential and therefore the pressure will be greater there. But if you want a big team then you must expect the pressure that goes with it. He did well at Chelsea and was also doing well at Southampton, who became a consistent team under him. I think he will do well and I wish him well."

Meanwhile, Barcelona president Joan Gaspart has admitted defeat in his bid to take Wenger to the Spanish club. Gaspart said: "I spoke to Arsene Wenger about possibly taking over at the end of the season.

"He told me he still has a contract with Arsenal that runs until 2002 and that he wanted to fulfil that."