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Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has joked that Arsenal should thank him for their blistering early-season form.
Ancelotti, who has won league titles in Italy, England and France, is now manager of Madrid and aiming for ‘La Decima’, the club’s 10th European Cup they strive so desperately for.
In a revealing interview with The Times, the Italian joked that Arsenal’s good form is thanks to him.
“Arsenal are doing well, but we helped them of course. Arsène Wenger has to buy us dinner, as we gave them [Mesut] Özil!”
After Gareth Bale’s record-breaking arrival in the summer, Özil moved to north London for a club record fee of £42.4 million which proved an inspired decision as Arsenal shot to the top of the Premier League and have stayed there since.
“It was my decision. When we bought Gareth Bale it was difficult to find space for him, and he needs to play,” said Ancelotti.
“Mourinho will always do well, but they’ve changed a lot of players so it’s not easy.”
The 54-year-old was also prompted to pick his dream team of players he has managed, but could not include Real Madrid players, which meant Cristiano Ronaldo couldn’t make his 11.
“I’ve tried to do this a lot of times, but it’s impossible!” Ancelotti says. “Just look at the goalkeepers. Apart from Casillas there’s Cech, Van Der Sar and Dida. I pick Buffon, but only because he was my first goalkeeper at Parma.
“At left back we can put Maldini, and Cafu at right back. Then we have Costacurta, Nesta, Cannavaro, Thuram and Stam. But I’m going to put Terry and Thiago Silva.
“My first midfielder is Pirlo. Then it’s really difficult. We can put Zidane on the left, and then Frankie Lampard.
“And what about the strikers? Definitely Ibrahimovic. There’s also Ronaldinho. But I go for Kaka and Sheva.”
Carlo Ancelotti’s Dream Team (4-3-3)
Buffon; Cafu, Terry, Thiago Silva, Maldini; Lampard, Pirlo, Zidane; Shevchenko, Ibrahimovic, Kaká.
Substitutes: Cech, Cole, Nesta, Gattuso, Seedorf, Drogba, Inzaghi.
