The perfect 60th birthday present for Arsene Wenger

By John Cross

Published 23:00 21/10/09

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Arsene Wenger celebrates his 60th birthday today (Thursday) and deserves an easier ride at the club's AGM than some of the questions he got at a shareholders meeting at the end of last season.

Arsenal manager Wenger is a brilliant interview, he always gives thought to his answers and is polite and respectful. It's not rocket science and is simple manners - treat people with respect and you get it back. Easy.

Wenger is planning to spend his landmark birthday at the AGM, having flown in from a scouting mission on Wednesday night, then watch a Europa League game on the TV with a bottle of fine red wine.

No gags about him getting a free bus pass - you're entitled to apply for one at 60 from London Transport - to travel around Totteridge. After all, it's been a while since he's been on an open top bus parade.

Let's not forget that he's one of the best managers in Premier League history, if not the best. We'll miss him when he's gone. He's also the best Arsenal manager in history and started the whole trend of foreign coaches in this country.

But if there's one thing I'd love him to get for his birthday, then it would be the solution to the frustrating problem of Abou Diaby.

Diaby is still only 23, is one of the most talented players Wenger has ever signed and yet rarely looks interested or up for it. He's brilliant but, in my eyes, lazy.

Wenger is a great man manager so I just hope in the next year of his life he can find a solution to this brilliantly gifted yet frustrating player.

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