Pact with young players kept Wenger away from Real

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger had the opportunity to join Real Madrid this summer. He decided to turn down Real`s offer because he promised the young players of Arsenal that he would remain in charge.

Wenger admits he has a soft spot for `Los Merengues`, but in the end says he could not leave The Emirates.

`Real is the club of my childhood. As a child I saw those guys in white winning everything. So, of course I`m attracted by that club but I have a pact with the young players of my team, and I want to succeed with that bet,` Wenger told L`Equipe.

`I identified what was important in my job: freedom. Here, I have it.`

`I could have earned bigger wages at Real, but I earn a good living in London. At my age, money can’t play a key role.

`If I left for Real, I would have tried to filter through my philosophy, reorganised everything. I could have given foundations to the club’s structure.

`That would not have prevented me from signing Ronaldo or Kaka. But that team is only built on bought players, while Real has a tradition of a beautiful game.

`They have to do what has been achieved at Barcelona through young players: creating a culture.`

Wenger joined Arsenal in 1996 and although he already won eleven prices with the Gunners, one price is still missing in his honours.

`My team is ready to play a Champions League final,` Wenger takes a look at the future.

`Why shouldn`t we win it? Our chances have grown this year, because we have more certainties and more mental power.

`We are close to Champions League success with a very young team and a well-balanced budget. Some clubs don`t respect that. To me, playing when you lose € 150 million is cheating.`