'I learnt nothing from Wenger'

Real Madrid's French midfielder Lassana Diarra has claimed to have learnt 'nothing' from Arsene Wenger during his short-lived time at Arsenal.

In an interview with El Pais newspaper, Diarra said: 'I have the impression that I never played at Arsenal. If you hadn't reminded me of it, I would have forgotten about it. It is something erased from my head.'

Asked about any influence Wenger had on him, Diarra said: 'Me? Nothing. With Wenger I learnt nothing. Well, he only taught me how to doubt everything.

'I played 15 matches. The relationship I had with him was not good. Wenger never spoke to me until I told him I was leaving. He spoke with the others but not me.'

Diarra signed for Arsenal from Chelsea in September 2007 but transferred to Portsmouth in January 2008 before joining Real Madrid a year later.

AFP

Old rivalries resume in Asia

National pride will be a significant component in this week's AFC Champions League Matchday 3 with the fixtures throwing up some intriguing derbies between countries that have developed key rivalries over the years.

In East Asia, Korea Republic and China have long been football adversaries and that rivalry is set to continue this week with each nation's representative teams scheduled to lock horns. Inspired by the recent outstanding performances of the Socceroos, Newcastle Jets and Central Coast can be expected to raise their game, on the back of an improved showing on Matchday 2, as they challenge Japanese opponents in the shape of Nagoya Grampus and Kawasaki Frontale.

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