|
Seaman, who will
be 39 on September 19, was out of contract until he finally put
pen to paper on a new 12-month Highbury deal on Tuesday night.
And Wenger,
revealing the big news after last night's 6-1 friendly demolition
of Conference outfit Stevenage, immediately urged the veteran shot-stopper
to retain his England number one duties for the Euro 2004 qualifying
campaign - which starts in October.
National team
coach Sven-Goran Eriksson has already emphasised the pony-tailed
shot-stopper will remain his first-choice if he is a regular for
the Gunners.
And Wenger insisted:
'It was a big disappointment for David at the World Cup, but he's
ready and determined to come back and keep going.
'I personally
hope he will not give up his international career - and that he
will keep fighting for his place in the England team.
'I think he
will come back strong and determined, like he has done when he's
had blows in the past.'
Wenger, who
is now expected to halt his reported interest in Fenerbahce and
Turkey keeper Rustu Recber, also revealed he never expected Seaman
to snub the chance to continue his love affair with the Gunners
faithful.
'David extended
his contract for one year on Tuesday night,' he said.
'If it wasn't
signed, you never know - but I never imagined David would leave
Arsenal now, at this stage of his career.'
Seaman was dogged
by shoulder problems throughout the first half of last season, which
allowed Richard Wright and Stuart Taylor to battle for the place
between the sticks.
But he regained
number one status - and after his World Cup nightmare, Wenger moved
quickly to announce a fortnight ago that he would offer Seaman a
new deal.
The manager's
belief in Seaman will buoy the keeper, who was in tears when he
was caught out by Ronaldinho's freak free-kick which sent England
home from Japan.
Seaman now joins
fellow veteran Martin Keown in committing his future to the Gunners.
Both are expected
to be on Arsenal's pre-season tour of Austria - taking in games
against SV Neuberg, Rapid Vienna, Roma and Panathinaikos - which
starts next week.
But one old
hand expected to bow out is Tony Adams, who is poised to announce
his retirement any day now.
The man Wenger
views as his replacement, Pascal Cygan, made his debut last night.
The 6ft 5ins
£2.1million signing for Lille made an assured start to hisGunners
career, performing for 71 minutes and impressing with his composed
style and dominance in the air.
Wenger said:
'He did well and showed he has a good understanding of thegame.'
Arsenal eased
to victory in long-serving Stevenage boss Paul Fairclough's testimonial
between a Borough past-and-present XI and Wenger's men, who started
with eight first-team players in their line-up.
Juan's lucky
drive gave Arsenal the lead - and after Robin Trott's tame equaliser,
Edu smacked home a sensational 25-yarder and Liam Chilvers dinked
in number three.
Jermaine Brown
was the next scorer with a header, before Paulinho fired in the
fifth and Graham Barrett completed the rout.
Wenger also
dismissed reports he had made the bizarre request that Seaman lop
off his pony tail before continuing his Arsenal career.
'That was the
wrong information,' he said simply.
|
