Wenger Slams Scolari's Timing <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Portugal had just beaten the Czech Republic to book their place in the final eight when the Blues revealed Scolari would succeed Avram Grant as of July 1. The Seleccao went on to lose their next two games – one may have been a dead rubber against Switzerland, but the 3-2 defeat to Germany in the quarterfinals officially ended Scolari’s reign as Portugal boss. Many accused the Brazilian of employing double standards, as he had forbidden his players from getting involved in any form of transfer talk during the tournament. And Wenger believes the situation certainly hindered more than it could possibly have helped. "It [the announcement] is difficult to measure but what is for sure is that it doesn't give something to the team, it only takes it away," he said. "It doesn't help. "We had that situation with Jacques Santini saying to Tottenham [he would join after Euro 2004]. The speculation was there. Then it starts, 'Who will be the next manager?' in the newspapers. And when it starts in the newspapers it starts in the players' camp. But Wenger added of his new London rival: "I like Scolari as a person and as a coach. He can bring something to the Premier League. You never know what will happen, but he is a quality man and manager." Changes Scolari has already revealed that he plans a major overhaul at Chelsea this summer, as much of the club’s mentality as of its playing squad. The man who led Brazil to glory in the 2002 World Cup is renowned for his ability to assert his authority over his teams – something that was most certainly missing at Stamford Bridge during Grant’s reign. But Wenger pondered how much the Blues would actually change under Scolari, and whether the alterations will be down more to the manager’s regime or the players he brings with him. "The system he plays looks similar to the 4-5-1/ 4-3-3 system that Chelsea play," said the Frenchman. "Whether it is down to the fact that they have similar strikers, I don't know. "There will be a change, because every manager brings his own personality and he will buy players, but the system won't change." Calm Meanwhile, Wenger must deal with some potential personnel changes of his own this summer as a number of his stars appear to be headed for the exit at the Emirates. Barcelona appear to have stepped up their pursuit of midfield maestro Aliaksandr Hleb while Emmanuel Adebayor – also a Barca target – seems to edge ever closer to a place in AC Milan’s forward line next season. But Wenger brushed aside claims of a Gunners crisis, insisting he must simply deal with such situations as and when they occur, and with a minimum of fuss. "I know a lot has been written about us, but I am very calm," Wenger said. "Why? Because I don't know why I should be nervous. "It's like when you take a penalty, if you are nervous it doesn't help. I will approach it with my usual calm. My biggest challenge is to make sure I have a competitive team next year no matter who it is." Russian Revelation Arsenal are close to signing Hleb’s likely replacement in Samir Nasri from Marseille, with only minor financial details standing in the way of his ₤15.8million switch. Wenger has also kept his eye on the European Championship for potential imports and has already expressed his admiration for Russian playmaker Andrei Arshavin – arguably the player of the tournament thus far. But it is Russia’s other key attacker that has attracted most of the former Monaco boss’ attention. Roman Pavlyuchenko has netted three times in Austria and Switzerland, and Wenger insisted it is the Spartak Moscow striker’s tireless efforts up front that have allowed Arshavin to flourish. "Russia have a player in Pavlyuchenko who opens space for others," he said. "You think he won't go again and, yes, he goes again. He opens the door for other players and he does it extremely well."</div>
Classic. Scolari is an idiot for the whole situation. He robbed Portugal of a legitimate title chase.
