Friday 25 September 2015

Arsene Wenger "surprised" by Anthony Martial's impressive start following claims Arsenal boss turned him down

Anthony Martial celebrates scoring Manchester United's second goal

The French striker's agent hit out at claims Wenger saw him as a winger after seeing his client net four times since his deadline day move to Old Trafford.

Arsene Wenger has admitted that he is "surprised" by Anthony Martial's impressive start at Manchester United, after his agent slammed the Arsenal boss for turning down the chance to sign him.

Philippe Lamboley claimed that the Arsenal boss saw the 19-year-old as a winger, but former Monaco man has already netted four times for the Red Devils following his £38million deadline day move to Old Trafford.

And Wenger has said this quick start has "surprised" him, with the teenager's role changing at Old Trafford.

“It’s a surprise because sometimes it’s quite difficult at the start,” said Wenger. “To maintain that will be very difficult for him so he will have to have some understanding of that as well if he starts to score less.

Anthony Martial shoots to score the third goal

“He has already set the expectation level very high. I’m not surprised that he’s done well because he’s a very talented player. “He was more of a winger in his whole career. He played the final part of last season as a striker."

Wenger also hinted that Monaco went against their word regard the France international's sale.

Monaco’s statement was always that two players, Martial and Layvin Kurzawa, would not move. I thought they would maintain that but in the end both of them moved.”

This came after Martial's agent hit out at the Gunners boss for claiming he passed on the Frenchman because he saw him as a winger.

“Anthony is a true modern centre-forward who can play a part,” said Lamboley.

“I am surprised by the analysis of Arsene Wenger, who has apparently been following him since he was a teenager.
“If the analysis Arsene Wenger has made is in order to justify not having signed Anthony, I accept he is a winger.

“But in football, there are those who follow players and those who buy them.”

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