Zlatan Ibrahimović, the Swedish international who announced his move to Old Trafford this summer even before an official announcement by the club, has already helped them to silverware with his winner against Leicester City in the Community Shield game on Sunday. He has shown what kind of an impact he will have not only at Old Trafford but also in the Premier League but one Arsene Wenger thinks otherwise. The Frenchman, who needs no invitation to get under the nose of his counterpart Jose Mourinho has recently criticized the amount of money the manager has spent at the club and has now commented on Zlatan.
In a recent interview, Wenger said that Zlatan’s age may be a hindrance to his performances at the club next season. “Going for him is his class, his talent, his desire to do well. What goes against him is that he is not the youngest player anymore, so you are questioned about that in every game,” Wenger said, talking about the impact of the 34-year old at Old Trafford and also the Premier League. The Arsenal manager felt that Zlatan may not be able to keep up his form for a long time in England and that his age will catch up to him and reduce his impact on the squad.
At 34-yars of age, Zlatan may not be the youngest strikers in the league but he is easily one of the best at the moment. The Swede in the past has shown his goal scoring prowess not only in France but also in Italy and Spain and has always been a prolific goal-scorer for most teams he has played for. He has gathered loads of experience on his way to the success in every league and has bought his experience with him to Old Trafford. He will surely feel the effect of being 34, but the truth is that there are hardly any players who are fitter than him even at his age. His training routines (he reportedly bought in his own trainer with him to United) and other habits have not seen him lose any of his game in the last few years and it is hard to see that change in a jiffy.
Wenger may be right and the hectic nature of the English season may have its effect on the 34-year old but if anyone in Europe can see away the English calendar, it is Zlatan. He will turn 35 this October and will be hoping to help Manchester United to more trophies than just the Community Shield but as far as Wenger’s comments go, we will have to wait until the end of the season to judge how the Swede performs on his debut season in England. He has been extremely prosperous in every league he has played in so-far and if he can do the same in England and help United to a title-winning campaign, he will grow into one of the best players ever in the game and there is no doubt that he is capable of doing so even at his age. Do you think the Premier League will take its toll on Zlatan this season?
