Wenger revealed that he had been due to attend last Friday’s friendly between France and Germany at Paris’s Stade de France, which was targeted by suicide bombers outside the ground, only for a late change of plans. The death toll from the series of attacks stands at 129 with many more seriously injured. He will speak to him to check his state of mind to play West Brom.
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“You could see that on Tuesday night he [Koscielny] was not himself”, said the boss.
“I will talk with him”.
Asked whether he feared for his own safety when going out, Arsene said: “I was more in shock than fearful because you could be scared of what was going on, because it was in four different places, which were attacked in the centre of Paris, so you don’t feel secure anywhere”.
He added: “I thought we played very well in the first half – as well as we’ve played here at Wembley for a long time”.
“Yes of course. I’m anxious that it could divide society and create a few tensions in a few parts of the country”, Wenger said. You can not stop just everything.
“What was targeted was the way of life, basically”. You have to trust politicians to make the right decisions to counter that.
“We have to get on with life and respond in a positive way. I wouldn’t like to say it’s flawless, but certainly better than 10 years ago”. I think the football world has responded how you would want it to respond with a big togetherness.
Wenger also insists France should still stage next summer’s European Championships.
“One of the good things out of what happened now is that the security level will be raised and maybe the Euro 2016 will be more secure”.
Ahead of kick-off, there was a rendition of the French national anthem from all 70,000-plus spectators inside the stadium, to help pay tribute to those killed in Paris.
“It is a nice gesture of solidarity”, the Arsenal manager continued at Thursday’s press conference.
One huge boost for Arsenal is the return of Hector Bellerin, with Wenger confirming the Spanish full-back is fit and available for Saturday’s clash.
Wenger played down suggestions new deals were imminent for key men Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez.
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However, we continue to have problems in midfield and attack with Ramsey and Oxlade-Chamberlain remaining on the sidelines along with Theo Walcott, Jack Wilshere, Danny Welbeck and Tomas Rosicky.
