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Wenger - 2016 can be England's year

Arsene Wenger
Arsene Wenger

By Lloyd Webb

Arsene Wenger says England have the quality to win Euro 2016.

The Three Lions have only reached the semi-finals twice, and the quarter-finals twice in their history.

Wenger says England won’t be among the favourites to win in France, but have the talent to cause an upset.

"He is strong and he is dealing with that"

Arsene Wenger

“Why not?” he said. "Not to get out of the qualification stage, you really need to be suicidal because 16 teams out of 24 qualify and the best third go through so you don’t imagine they [England] won’t qualify.

“After that, who are your main opponents? Germany, Spain and France. But I don’t rule England out, but you are not the first favourites. They are in the second tier.

“If things go well, they have a bunch of young players - I said the other day when we played against Bournemouth there was five British players who played: Ramsey, Chamberlain, Chambers, Gibbs and Walcott. They are all young, all talented so you cannot rule out England will do something."

Wenger also believes Jack Wilshere will be available for the tournament despite not playing a game this season due to injury.

“You know I’m an optimist and I always think, ‘OK it’s true that he hasn’t played many games in recent years,’” he said. “I hope at some stage that will stop because he is young and I hope I’m right.

“He is a special case because he is a special talent and he comes out of the club. And he is an England international and I hope his injuries will stop at some stage.

“When you love football and at his age, when you wake up in the morning and you can’t practice that’s terrible. They need support and I try to give it to him. But he is strong and he is dealing with that. He started at 17 and played every single game and suddenly it stopped. So I believe that can make you stronger.”

Jack Wilshere

Jack Wilshere

 

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