'We got the best of both worlds' - Arsenal great Nigel Winterburn doesn't envy the pressure on modern players

Winterburn opened a new pitch at Hargrave Park School on Monday
Arsenal FC
James Benge15 March 2017

Nigel Winterburn might miss donning his football boots week-in, week-out but the Arsenal great does not envy the pressure his successors must deal with.

The modern footballer may be fabulously remunerated but their wealth comes at a cost. Expectations have never been greater, players never less free to make mistakes.

“We had some fabulous times,” Winterburn told Standard Sport. “I always say I played in a special period, we had that little bit of freedom to go out and do stuff that we wanted to do but weren’t hammered for it.

“I also think that gave us a fantastic team spirit. We got the best of both worlds.”

Winterburn added: “I’ve always said it’s a job. A job I love doing but a job.

“Once you’ve been with the guys so long it’s a working relationship even if at the same time I don’t feel I need to spend the rest of my life with them.

Still on those occasions they are back together it doesn’t take long for the old magic to spark again.

Arsenal Legends vs Milan Glorie

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There was something special at the Emirates in early September as Winterburn was joined by a who’s-who of the Arsene Wenger years – Marc Overmars, Robert Pires, Nwankwo Kanu – banded together to raise money for the Arsenal Foundation.

That they did, to the tune of £1million in a fine game against Milan Glorie, in a game that had the Emirates in raptures as I has not been all that often this season. Beating Chelsea 3-0 is one thing but it seems that even that cannot compare to the sight of Pires and Overmars bursting down the wing in the stuff of Arsenal fan fantasies.

“It was great to be back with some of the old guys, some I’ve never played with as well. The old banter was back very quickly in the dressing room,” said Winterburn, speaking at the opening of an Arsenal-funded pitch at Hargrave Park School in Archway.

Arsenal FC

“Everyone knows I still love playing so to get asked to play in a Legends game at the Emirates against Milan, and for the club to sell 60,000 tickets, is an amazing experience.

“But what’s more important is when you come back today and see what you’re helping to produce for not only local children in the community but around the world.

“I’m keeping my fingers crossed there’s another one. It was such a huge success against Milan, competitive, played in such good spirit. I’m sure they’d fill the Emirates again.”

The return of the Legends to the Emirates was an undoubted success but for Winterburn the pride comes not from pulling on an Arsenal shirt once more but for the good September’s game will do.

The million raised will help funds new playing surfaces for children in Somalia and Jordan in partnership with Save the Children but also has its impact closer to home, with half going to local initiatives such as the £15,000 pitch for primary school children less than two miles away from the Emirates.

Those youthful Gooners may be more eager to meet Gunnesaurus than a three time league champion – one youngster interrupts our conversation to ask which one of us is Nigel Winterburn, his dad wants a shirt signed – but the Arsenal great is happy to be doing his part to help supporters around the world.

Arsenal FC

“Nowadays football is global, to promote your football club you have to go around the world. I think it’s great Arsenal are not only doing good locally but promoting their product and the Arsenal Foundation around the world.

“I see some of the stuff that has been opened abroad, you see the kids’ faces in Somalia and Jordan and realise it’s worth the aches and pains.”

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