Daniel Farke has labelled Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger a ‘legend’ but Norwich City’s head coach is out to claim the Frenchman’s scalp in Tuesday’s last-16 League Cup tie.
Wenger has plenty of critics among his own fan base these days, after failing to land a Premier League crown since 2004, but the 68-year-old has built an astonishing legacy over two decades at the Gunners.
“He is a legend,” said Farke. “He has been unbelievably successful and he has unbelievable experience as a coach. In terms of the coaching education in Germany he is always like a role model. I am full of respect for his work and his career. I would appreciate just to stay half as long as he has here at Norwich City. He is a role model, an idol and I am full of respect for him. It will be the first time I have met him on a personal level.
“I always admired him and liked his way of thinking about football and his philosophy. I like his teams and the way they play. Arsenal, five or six years ago in the way they played was a role model for many coaches.
“I don’t want to go too deep in praising him or his club. I am full of respect. It is great to be allowed to have such a massive game against a legend of a coach but I am not concentrated on meeting Arsene Wenger on Tuesday. I am concentrated on bringing the best result back for Norwich City and creating problems to beat them.
“I am not focused on shaking hands but giving them a successful game. You can be sure on Tuesday we will be rebellious and brave and we want to beat them.”
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