Wenger: ‘Groundsmen are Champions League material’

Arsène Wenger has paid tribute to the Emirates Stadium groundsmen after they won recognition from the Premier League earlier this week. Arsenal’s Paul Ashcroft claimed the ‘Groundsman of the Year’ award on Wednesday and Wenger has hailed the exceptional work of the Club’s pitch team. “Paul Ashcroft deserves it completely,” Wenger told Arsenal Player. “He is in the tradition of our groundsmen. All of our groundsmen deserve immense credit; they are really Champions League material. “I would like to congratulate Paul and his team on the fantastic work that they do. I am sure they will compete again next season for it. “It is vital [for us]. Without a good pitch we cannot play our football so that is absolutely a necessity. It is not enough because you need a good team as well but without that you go nowhere.”