Wenger: Club comes first

May 9 2008

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has warned any player who may be contemplating their Arsenal future that "what is good for the club" will always come first.

Wenger, however, maintains individual desires will always play second fiddle to the bigger picture.

"I have a responsibility, it is not what I like, it is not what the players like, it is what is good for the club. That's the only decision I will make," Wenger said.

Alexander Hleb's agent claims the Belarus winger will leave this summer, amid suggestions he is ready to buy out his contract to sign for Inter.

French midfielder Mathieu Flamini has already walked out on a free transfer, joining AC Milan.

Wenger added: "When we do that, afterwards, if you are happy or not happy, it is less important than that the club is happy."

"If you have a choice between three million people are happy or one is happy, the choice is made quickly."

Wenger also suggested talk of players like Hleb buying out the remainder of their contract under new FIFA guidelines - following the test case of Andy Webster in Scotland - was not as straightforward as has been made out.

"That is not as simple as it looks, this 'Webster clause'," said Wenger.

"It takes a lots of months. You (the player) can be banned for the whole period if it is not done in a proper way."