Wenger: Real is close to my heart - 18 Mar 2006
Arsene Wenger admits Real Madrid are a club close to his heart, but the Frenchman has no plans to walk out on Arsenal for the Bernabeu.
Real are on the lookout for a new coach and Wenger's name has cropped up in a number of reports.
Wenger's profile would certainly tick a number of boxes on Real president Fernando Martin's checklist, but the Frenchman is looking to continue his work in North London with Arsenal.
"I love Real Madrid," admitted Wenger. "It is certainly, after Arsenal, a club I love because of my childhood.
"It was the team I admired when I was a kid and I have a lot of good memories for Real Madrid.
"But my priority is to do well for Arsenal because I am here and I feel we are in the rebuilding process of a big team again and I want to do that."
Wenger is flattered to be linked with Real, but has moved to assuage Arsenal fans' fears by insisting he will not turn his back on The Gunners.
"That is a good compliment that I take with a lot of pride - but I said many times I have a contract with Arsenal until 2008 and normally, I try always to respect my contracts," he said.
"I can say publicly that I will be at Arsenal."
Arsene Wenger admits Real Madrid are a club close to his heart, but the Frenchman has no plans to walk out on Arsenal for the Bernabeu.
Real are on the lookout for a new coach and Wenger's name has cropped up in a number of reports.
Wenger's profile would certainly tick a number of boxes on Real president Fernando Martin's checklist, but the Frenchman is looking to continue his work in North London with Arsenal.
"I love Real Madrid," admitted Wenger. "It is certainly, after Arsenal, a club I love because of my childhood.
"It was the team I admired when I was a kid and I have a lot of good memories for Real Madrid.
"But my priority is to do well for Arsenal because I am here and I feel we are in the rebuilding process of a big team again and I want to do that."
Wenger is flattered to be linked with Real, but has moved to assuage Arsenal fans' fears by insisting he will not turn his back on The Gunners.
"That is a good compliment that I take with a lot of pride - but I said many times I have a contract with Arsenal until 2008 and normally, I try always to respect my contracts," he said.
"I can say publicly that I will be at Arsenal."
