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Wenger - Germany produces so much talent

Arsène Wenger
Arsene Wenger

Arsene Wenger has revealed his admiration for Germany’s approach to football.

A number of German players have joined Arsenal in recent years, including Per Mertesacker, Lukas Podolski and Mesut Ozil.

Wenger insists it is their quality rather than their nationality that interests him, but admitted the country is built to produce top-class players.

"For me, it’s the most similar country to England because if you watch any single game it’s sold out"

Arsene Wenger

“I just buy good players - they adapt easily to England,” the manager said. “If you look at the number of French people in London you can’t say they don’t like England and don’t adapt. But it’s just a coincidence.

“Germany first of all is 80 million people, they have created many academies of quality and they are now maybe producing more players than France.

“The structure in Germany [means that] in every single village you have a football club. The life of the village revolves around the club and everybody plays football in Germany.

“For me, it’s the most similar country to England because if you watch any single game it’s sold out. Football is very strong culturally in Germany, stronger than anywhere else and similar to England.”

While Wenger admits Bayern Munich will prove tough opponents, he is not sure if they can be crowned the best club team of all-time just yet.

“I was most impressed by the Barcelona team at the peak, through the speed of their passing and the speed of their game,” he said. “Hopefully I will not have the same impression [on Wednesday night].

“Until now, in my life, it’s the best team I’ve played against. Barcelona are not finished. They still won the championship in Spain. They have still Neymar, Messi, Iniesta, Fabregas. They are not average players. They are top-class players. They can surprise everybody again this season.

“I don't know [if Bayern are better]. Last year they won the German league, the German Cup, the Champions League and the World Club Cup. Maybe in the style there is always room for improvement but if they just do the same achievements this season they can say they have improved because it's more difficult to do it again.”

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