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Home Primo Piano

Bennacer: “I learned a lot at Arsenal. When I arrived, this is what Wenger told me…”

Wajih by Wajih
17 November 2023
in Primo Piano, News
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Ismael Bennacer

Ismael Bennacer in action during the Serie A match between AC Milan and ACF Fiorentina at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on November 13, 2022 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Claudio Villa/AC Milan via Getty Images)

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Ismael Bennacer granted an interesting and lengthy interview to 'PAYE TA GRAILLE', a YouTube show on Instant Foot, and said these words (read here the first part about his start in football, but also how Capoeira helped him):

On your arrival to Arsenal, how did you cope, you had your first apartment at age of 17 and leaving your country?

"Yes, at the age of 17. If I spoke English? No, I did not. I had English classes in school, but you know, it's  not the same English. I go there and it's difficult... Actually, when Wenger recruits a player, you are obliged to take a test. In fact, that's why Zlatan said: 'I don't do trials'. But me? I was a nice boy. So we do a trial for a week and I remember not doing any kind of preparations. However, he made it easy for me", said Bennacer, "Because he knew it was Ramadan month and it was two training sessions per day and it was a physical training session and I practically do nothing, I only play the matches. I did a really tough week, it was ramadan and I weighed 59 kilograms. Now, I tell you, I weighed 59 kilos, then after 1 year at Arsenal, I weighed 71 kilos, so you can understand how slim I was."

Bennacer added:

"Willshere was like this (meaning big with his hands) and I was small, and then after a week, Wenger tells me: 'Listen, you will not sign with another club, you stay here.', I said 'Ok, give me the contract and I'll sign on it.' But I did not want to leave France, and I didn't want to. However, I felt good at Arsenal, there were many French people."

You said there were many French people, but in the locker room, you also had the likes of Mesut Ozil, Arteta, Cazorla, Giroud who was still there...

"Well, listen, in the locker room, it was good. There were no problems that would make you feel uneasy. There was also koscielny and Coquelin, there were many Frenchmen. We also learned a lot under Laurén, and I thank them and it was thanks to them that I wanted to sign there. 

Bennacer added:

"So when you are in a locker room that ignores you completely, it'd be a lot harder for you. I was young and I wanted to show them on the field, because at the start, there's no respect, but you earn that respect on the field. But, you don't know that, you don't understand that when it's your first time in that world there. So I signed there, and it wasn't necessarily to play in the first team as soon as possible, even if I had that in my mind, no. I had no formation when I was in 'Arles', and I was there for it because Arsenal, they have the best formations in Europe for the young players."

On coping in a new club, you have to have a driver's license, then your diploma, learn English etc.

"Well, there was everything that was outside the sport, while I wanted to bring my sister to live with me. We had lessons together, and we learned it well. As for my driving license, I already had passed my practice theory test and I took some hours to learn to drive there... My family took care of things for me when they came. If I needed something, there was someone to do it and they were really really helpful for me. So, I was really only focused on the field, and you also learn in a formation centre, so it was a real education. Often, there were meetings and people came from FIFA and you learn how to do the job. I was on a discovery journey and it's what I wanted. So, I believe Arsenal was the best place for me to learn my job and become a man. In just 6 months, actually, I became captain and there, in the reserves, you play only with players your age, so I wanted to just play, I wanted to play, anywhere and that was why I was sent on loan to Tours (French club)."

بن ناصر ميلان Ismael Bennacer AC Milan
Ismael Bennacer lines up before the UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg match between AC Milan and FC Internazionale at San Siro on May 10, 2023 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marcio Machado/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)
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Wajih

Wajih

A writer, passionate about football: Serie A and AC Milan in particular. For business inquiries, contact: wajihmzoughi1996 [at] gmail [dot] com

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