Senderos - Wenger wants me

Philippe Senderos has insisted that he remains in Arsene Wenger's plans despite rumours linking him with a move away from Arsenal.

"I still have a contract with two years left on it and the boss wants me to stay. I'm also very happy in London so yes I still hope to be there next season," he said.

"Personally I thought I had a pretty good season and it was really positive that I was able to play so many games this year.

"Obviously we had a disappointing year overall because we were five points clear at one stage in the league and it was really hard to lose it all in a few games.

"Then we lost (in the Champions League quarter-finals) to Liverpool, which was very disappointing for the whole team, but we know we have the quality to come back strong next year."

Senderos went on to dismiss claims that he broke down after Arsenal's 4-2 second leg defeat at Anfield.

"I'm someone who is always hard on myself so I was disappointed like everyone else but I didn't break down in tears and I didn't miss training and I didn't do all these things that they said I did," he explained.

Reason behind resting Senderos

Arsène Wenger has faith in Philippe Senderos and believes that time will heel the Swiss defender's wounds.

Senderos earned plaudits for his performances against Milan in the Champions League this season but was criticised for a below-par display when Arsenal crashed out against Liverpool at the Quarter-Final stage.

"Senderos is a genuine and dedicated guy," said Wenger. "Of course he was extremely disappointed by his performance at Liverpool but only time will get him over that.

"He is very strong mentally but the first mistake he made at Liverpool played a big part in the second one. Everybody is a confidence player and the young even more so because they have less experience to rely on.

"He has enough experience but it has been so intense. He has had a lot of critics. He had two outstanding games against Milan home and away and then on Sunday he was not good anymore for anything. That's not right but it's our job.

"If a guy makes a mistake because he doesn't care you treat him differently. But he made a mistake and he cares a lot."

Philippe Senderos is determined to save his Arsenal career

Philippe Senderos is determined to save his Arsenal career after admitting he broke down in tears as their season turned to disaster.

Swiss defender Senderos was left out in the cold after being axed for the defeat at Manchester United on Sunday which put the final nail in the coffin of the Gunners' Premier League title challenge.

That came just five days after he cried in the dressing room following Arsenal's Champions League quarterfinal defeat at Anfield when he got blamed for two of Liverpool's goals.

But his father Julien yesterday insisted his 23-year-old son can bounce back from the lowest point of his career - and is determined not to shy away from facing Reading tomorrow.

It is remarkably rare for a player to break down in tears in a dressing room, but Julien Senderos says his son has nothing to be ashamed of. Senderos Snr said: "Some players don't care whether they win or lose, they just pick up their wages and enjoy the living and lifestyle from their big contracts.

"But I don't see why if he cried in the dressing room it should be seen as a bad thing.

"In football it's seen as a sign of weakness - but I see it as a sign that he cares deeply.

"Philippe is OK, of course he is not happy because they have lost and he has taken a lot of the blame which is very hard for him and of course it's difficult formeto read and his mother as well. I read the Daily Mirror every day and I don't understand why he often gets criticised so much more than his team-mates.

"But he is old enough, mature enough and strong enough to deal with it. He is 23 years old, his world is not finished. He has to be strong and he has to move on.

"Philippe is an intelligent boy. He rarely talks about himself and when he talks he always talks about the team.

"That is because he puts the team first ahead of himself and always will and that is why he finds it so difficult to deal with things because he is so committed to the team."

The Swiss World Cup defender has taken the brunt of the criticism of Arsenal's end-of-season collapse and has been left devastated as a result.

But his father added: "He has been training with the first team this week, he is ready to play and whether he plays on Saturday is down to the manager, Arsene Wenger.

"Philippe completely respects the manager, who has given young players a chance, but it is a young team and sometimes young players have to grow up quickly.

"But he is a strong boy and he will come back."

Reds loss affected Senderos

Philippe Senderos was allowed time off in order to recover from the mental blow of Arsenal's UEFA Champions League exit, according to the defender's father.

The Gunners departed the Champions League at the quarter-final stage after they suffered a 5-3 aggregate defeat to Liverpool.

Senderos was criticised, by some, after he failed to mark Sami Hyypia and was easily turned by Fernando Torres during Liverpool's 4-2 triumph in the second leg at Anfield.

And Senderos' father, Julien, has confirmed that his son needed time to recuperate following Arsenal's European exit.

"Philippe has been on the phone to us every day for the last few days," he said in the Daily Mail.

"He was not feeling too good after Arsenal went out of the Champions League.

"[Manager] Arsene Wenger gave him Sunday and Monday off so he could clear his mind and he has done that.

"But it's not the case that he is suffering from depression."

Wenger throws his support behind Senderos

Arsène Wenger has backed Philippe Senderos after the centre back was criticised for his performance against Liverpool in midweek.


The Swiss defender was marking both Sami Hyypia and Fernando Torres when they scored at Anfield in the Champions League Quarter-Final second leg and his manager accepts he had a "bad game". However, at the same time, Wenger has faith in the 23-year-old and argues it is wrong to pin the blame for any defeat on one individual.


“He is good enough," said Wenger. "He had a bad game but he played well against Milan earlier on. Also we lost four goals at Liverpool last year with Kolo Toure and William Gallas in defence. We win and lose as a team.


"And anyway despite all that we could have won the game at Anfield. We are an intelligent team and that’s what we want to take out of the game."

Arsenal v Astom Villa

Arsenal 1 - 1 Astom Villa

Arsenal

Bendtner 90'

Aston Villa

Senderos 27 (og)

Match Extras

Maloney Shot that hit the bar

Fabregas's chance just before the break

Walcott's chance

Flamini shot

Match Report Here

Arsenal V Blackburn

Arsenal 2-0 Blackburn 11th FEB

4' Senderos and here

90+2' Adebayor and here


Extras

Long Run with Nice Skill from Sanga 2


Nice shot by Flamini off Friedel 21


Nice try by Gallas left to goal 28


Great team play for Blackburn but Santa Cruz misses the header 36


Great Strike by Hleb off the post 50


Nice Try by Adebayor saved greatly by Friedel 52


Great shot by Fabregas left to goal 66


Nice strike by Adebayor saved greatly by Friedel 75


Nice Try by Adebayor off Friedel 78


Great shot by Hleb Saved Wonderfully by Friedel 79


The Wonderful Saves by Friedel Against Arsenal

You can watch Adebayor and Hleb's Post match interview here.

Match Report 1 and 2

Player Ratings can be found here

Wenger's Post Match Comments here

Senderos' case for defence

Switzerland captain Switzerland captain Philippe Senderos hopes to give Arsene Wenger a selection headache when team-mate Kolo Toure returns from the Africa Cup of Nations.

Senderos intends to continue showing plenty of "fight" to retain his place at the heart of the Arsenal backline when Wenger has his full complement of defenders again.

He said: "At Arsenal, we are having a good season and, for me personally, it is great to be getting a run in the team, and the results are coming as well.

"Every time I come into a game, I always try to give my best and try to keep in the team.

"Hopefully I will give good problems to the manager. I always try to fight for my place."

Source:skysports