Arsene Wenger pays tribute to midfielder
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has revealed that he never tried to lure Steven Gerrard away from Liverpool during his time there, but has paid tribute to his amazing career.
The Liverpool legend is set to leave Anfield and the Premier League over the Summer as he begins his MLS career with LA Galaxy, and tributes have been flooding in for the midfielder this week.
Tributes to Gerrard
Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho paid tribute last week before The Blues faced Liverpool at Stamford Bridge, and now Wenger has touched on the subject in his weekly press conference.
Gerrard leaving Liverpool will end his astonishing 17-year association with the club, and despite already confirming he has plans to return in some capacity in two-years time, it will be an emotional send-off at the weekend.
The skipper will make his final appearance at Anfield on Saturday as they host Crystal Palace, before he ends his Premier League campaign away at Stoke City.
Mourinho Admits Interest
Earlier this week, Mourinho admitted that he tried to sign Gerrard on three separate occasions. Once at Chelsea, once at Inter Milan and once at Real Madrid, but when asked, Wenger confirmed that he has never tried to lure the midfielder away from his boyhood club.
The Frenchman was then quick to pay tribute to Gerrard’s career at Liverpool.
Wenger Rules out Move and Pays Tribute
Wenger said: “No (we didn’t try to sign Gerrard), at some stage it was questioned for him to go to Chelsea and not stay at Liverpool.
“But I would just like to pay tribute to an absolutely fantastic player.
“I would also like to do it because he has remained loyal to his club his whole career, you don’t see that a lot.”
Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles
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