http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/arsenal-boss-arsene-wenger-is-a-fan-332442
Arsene Wenger has revealed Arsenal scouted Villa’s “typical English centre-forward” and Gunners fan Christian Benteke while he was still at Genk.
Wenger reckons Belgian football is becoming a breeding ground for top players, having previously being regarded dismissively.
“We have looked at him, yes,” said Wenger. “We had already signed Olivier Giroud. It was interesting. I was surprised when he signed at Villa. I believe he has scored some important goals with complete power.
“He is a little bit a typical English centre-forward, that style has disappeared a little bit, but you still have some players like that, like Grant Holt.
“Belgium produces players. Maybe they are a championship we don’t give enough credit. We go ‘Okay, he is doing well, but he is in Belgium’.
“But look at the number of players they have produced recently: Mousa Dembele, Eden Hazard, Axel Witsel, they go all out.