Anelka born again after ill-advised Real move says Wenger
Stephen Wood
Arsene Wenger believes Nicolas Anelka has reinvented himself the hard way.
Anelka, the 23-year-old Manchester City striker who has endured a turbulent career, returns on Tuesday to Arsenal, the club where he first made his name.
After two successful years at Highbury between 1997-99, a then 20-year-old Anelka went against the wishes of Wenger and moved to Real Madrid for 23 million pounds ($35.85 million).
But the move signalled the implosion of his nascent career and after just one year at the Bernabeu, the Frenchman found his way to City via Paris St Germain and a loan spell with Liverpool.
"He has gone through a necessary evolution," Wenger, who brought Anelka to Highbury from PSG as a teenager, told reporters. "I regretted him leaving (Arsenal) and he has since said it was a mistake, too.
"But I think the attraction, for someone of 19 years or so, of Real Madrid was a bit too flashy for him but he wasn't mature enough to go there.
"It was easy at the start...but he has realised it's not as easy as he thought it was going to be.
MATURE
"Now he is mature and knows what he wants. Football was never a problem, I think the main problems were mental.
"He has made a big step forward recently."
After Liverpool turned down the chance to sign him permanently, Anelka was snapped up by City boss Kevin Keegan for 13 million pounds ($20.26 million) in June.
A hat-trick against Everton earlier this month helped him settle into life at Maine Road, and he and City arrive at Highbury for their English premier league match on Tuesday night hoping to dent Arsenal's defence of their league and FA Cup double.
Wenger -- who wants Arsenal fans to welcome Anelka back to north London instead of booing him like they did last season when he first returned with Liverpool -- believes Keegan will help rejuvenate Anelka.
"Keegan has done a good job with City and he will be good for Anelka," said Wenger.
"Keegan was an offensive orientated player and there will be a connection with Anelka. Keegan is trying to understand Anelka and Anelka respects him for that.
"He has gone through a difficult period but I'm sure he has found the club he needed.
"He is still only young, just 23. He is two years younger than (Arsenal striker) Thierry Henry and has lots of time to succeed again.
"I hope the Arsenal fans give him a positive reception and honour him for what he achieved with our club."
