Arsene Wenger has confirmed ahead of Sunday’s clash with Manchester United at the Emirates, that his side will respect tradition and give United a guard of honour.
United clinched the Barclays Premier League title after their Monday game with Aston Villa, which they won 3-0 and with four games left.
The newly- crowned champions will travel to the Emirate stadium to face their long- time rivals Arsenal on Sunday. The Frenchman expects his side to follow tradition and accord the champions a guard of honour which United gave Arsenal in May 1991.
“First of all I am French and work in England and I want the English tradition to be respected.
“When you work somewhere abroad, you have to respect the culture of the country. That is part of the tradition of the English football and I want that of course to be respected,” Wenger reiterated.
Wenger’s title- winning side were granted a guard of honour by Liverpool at Anfield in May 1998. He however, don’t want to rule out a return of favour come next season.
“I hope, yes, that it will happen to us next year. But we are guided by the fact that we want to win our last four games and that is the next one. We know it is a difficult hurdle for us. Will it add something to our motivation? I don’t know.
The match will also mark the return of Robin van Persie to the club where he played before being sold last summer and Wenger has called upon his club’s supports to treat the new champions and the Dutchman with respect.
“We respect Robin van Persie like every other player who has left and comes back. I want the players to be respected. He is a massive talent with world- class technique and huge experience with the national team and in the Champions League. I had no doubt he’d adapt.
“Arsenal had a positive impact on the life and career of Robin van Persie. You always miss a big player but now we are stabilized. We are on a very strong run. We have a good level of confidence and a great desire,” Wenger added.
