Arsenal supporter Chris Smalling has improved so much under Van Gaal

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As regular ANR readers know, I’ve always believed that Wenger does not teach defence or set-pieces .

Instead, he teaches possession and attack, day after day, year after year.

That’s worked well enough for him to keep his job.

Chris Smalling will now be glad he chose Manchester United five years ago when he left Fulham.

If memory serves, Smalling, an Arsenal supporter, was sent off playing for United against City and they lost 1-0.

The defender says, “He has helped me a lot. He is very honest about what your good points are and what you can improve on. That is very refreshing to hear. When he first joined the club he said that after six to eight months of working, when we know what he wants, then we will improve as a team.

“We have obviously improved on the start of last season and, as a player, I definitely feel that I have improved as well. He improves a lot of players. We work hard and tirelessly on the training ground with our tactics. We do 11 versus 11s a lot, so we know our positions and our roles down to a tee. The repetition has really improved my game and a lot of the other players as well. here has obviously been a lot of ins and outs but, as a group, we’ve stayed very close-knit. Whoever comes in knows their job. We have the training routine and the philosophy of the manager, so every player knows what he wants and what he expects of you on the pitch.”
Smalling, 25, has improved hugely and if he goes on improving he could become world class.
Well done, mate!