Wenger: Lose and you're out
Published: Today at 13:18
ARSENE WENGER has told England: Lose to France and you are as good as out of Euro 2012.
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The Arsenal manager also described Roy Hodgson’s appointment as a “quick fix” and claims the Three Lions will struggle in Poland and Ukraine due to Wayne Rooney’s suspension for the first two games.
England arrived in Krakow yesterday with arguably the lowest expectation levels surrounding the national team in recent history.
The controversy that followed Rio Ferdinand’s omission, Rooney’s suspension, a spate of injuries to key players and the fact Hodgson has been in place for a matter of weeks have left the country largely pessimistic.
Hodgson takes his patched-up team to Donetsk to play their Group D opener against France on Monday and Arsenal boss Wenger fears the Three Lions may as well pack their bags and come home if they lose to Laurent Blanc’s men.
He said: "The opening game is England v France and there is no Rooney. You would say that is a game that you can not afford to lose.
“Why? Not because you cannot catch up, but the pressure inside the country becomes tremendous straight away.
“That game could dictate the whole group. If it’s a 0-0 draw, the group is all open, but if someone loses they have a very good chance of going out because Ukraine will beat one of the two, you would say, and Sweden are a hard team to beat.
“They are always well-organised tactically and they have Zlatan Ibrahimovic coming back, who can make a difference.
“They are traditionally a difficult opponent for England. It’s a difficult group overall.”
Hodgson took charge of England last month after beating the bookmakers’ favourite Harry Redknapp to the job.
Wenger admires the former Fulham and Liverpool manager, but admits he is facing an uphill battle to build a team capable of progressing from their group and going far in the tournament.
Wenger added: “England have no Rooney, they have a new manager and they have not worked together so — it’s a quick fix.
“Can it work or not? The first game will be a good indication.
“England do have an advantage as Hodgson has managed national teams before, has good experience of tournaments and knows the English players well. It’s not unknown territory for him.
“At the moment England struggle to find confidence and unity and if he can manage to do that he can do very well.”
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