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Wenger - Character is revealed on pitch

Arsene Wenger and Calum Chambers
Arsene Wenger and Calum Chambers

Arsene Wenger says it only takes 15 minutes of watching a young player on the pitch for his true personality to emerge.

The Arsenal manager has brought through a host of promising players during his time at the club, including Jack Wilshere, Kieran Gibbs and Wojciech Szczesny.

While all modern-day players are assessed using a variety of measurements and statistics, Wenger says you can learn more from simply seeing them play.

"Once you are on the pitch you leave all your social education and you become who you really are"

Arsene Wenger

“We make personality profiles for young players who develop here, but there is actually no better observation of a boy’s character than to watch him play,” he told the Arsenal Magazine.

“It tells you more than any of the tests. After 10 or 15 minutes you can see an approximation of what a boy’s character is - is he selfish, is he generous, is he enthusiastic, is he inhibited, is he fair, is he passionate about the game?

“All these things come out through the game, because once you are on the football pitch you leave all your social education and you become who you really are.

“Observation of a player during a game is the best personality test you can have.”

The October edition of the Official Arsenal Magazine is out now, and inside you’ll find an array of exclusive interviews and features with the likes of Jack Wilshere, Freddie Ljungberg and Julio Baptista.

Priced at £3.50, it’s available from all club shops and good newsagents, as well as from programme sellers at all home games across the next month. You can also subscribe online here or call 0845 301 7626

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