Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger has sent his good wishes to the Indian Super League as reported by arsenal.com.
According to the club’s website, Arsenal boss has shown interest in the country’s newest league and addressed it as a good opportunity for the older players to stretch their professional careers.
Five former Arsenal footballers have joined the ISL as marquee players of various franchises. Freddie Ljumberg, Nicolas Anelka, Robert Pires, Mikel Sivestre and Andre Santos.
Wenger was quoted:
“Being completely at the top finishes when you are 34 at the latest. After that, you have different leagues like the MLS and the Indian Super League.
“I encourage players to play as long as possible if they really love it. Pires is 40 but he still plays and when he comes to training here, he’s still very good.
“The only thing I always say is that once you’re on the pitch, you give your best. Your age doesn’t matter – people can understand that you’re not as quick at 40 as you were at 30. Play with passion, with your heart and technical quality – that will be enough.
“They give a good image of the game. They can make football popular on different continents and in different countries, where it’s taking off. I think it’s fantastic.”
Everybody is aware that cricket is the most popular sport in India, but like many, Wenger too is convinced that there ample opportunities for a second sport to grow in the country beside the cricket.
He further said, “If you look at the history of football, it has always become quicker and it looks like it grows everywhere. It’s like a virus that multiplies, so I don’t imagine that it won’t take off.
“It took a while in the United States but it’s now very popular. It faces cricket in India but there’s always room for a second sport. There’s only really badminton and cricket in India at the moment but there’s room for another sport.
“I know that the people there watch the Premier League and I’m convinced that with such a huge population, it will take off.”
