It's been revealed how Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger managed to keep his past all-England defence together for such a long time.

Aberdeen manager Jimmy Calderwood is close to many Arsenal identities and revealed to the Sunday Mail: "And that's what makes Wenger such a genius, the way he manages.

"Remember their great back four? Lee Dixon, Tony Adams, Martin Keown, Nigel Winterburn, with David Seaman behind them.

"Arsene brings the five of them in. Say they were on 20 grand a week. He tells them he will extend all their contracts to 30 grand a week.

"But then he tells them he'll be signing OTHER guys who'll be earning double because they're better players.

"He said, 'Ultimately you'll earn more because these better players will win you more bonuses'."