He is determined to win Group A – also including FC Basel and Ludogorets – this season, which would mean that Arsenal would be seeded for the last-16 and would not have to play a group victor.
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Asked why he declined PSG’s advances, Wenger said: “Look”.
Arsene Wenger, to his credit, has set about attempting to ensure that his squad has enough depth to last the pace this season with the summer signings of Granit Xhaka and Shkodran Mutsafi – both of whom have Champions League as well as top-level global experience. But I’ve been speaking with the best coaches in Europe over that time and that includes Wenger.
“They were a bit surprised by the pace and the commitment of the Premier League (but) they will adapt to that. They attack well, but they also defend well”. “They adapted more in the second half”, he said.
“PSG are not as good as they used to be when Zlatan Ibrahimovic was there”.
His spectacular goal meant more to Wenger not in its execution but in its timing. Which obviously, in that moment of the game, was against the run of play and we didn’t need this unlucky moment. “They have a really strong three and any player up front will be risky”. This side still has plenty of talent but they are now missing the leader they once had so it will be important for the likes of Angel De Maria and Thiago Silva to show some fight.
Mustafi played the full 90 minutes while Perez was taken off for Olivier Giroud after 62 minutes. “We just want to pick up the three points”.
Arsenal secured all three points at Emirates Stadium thanks to Santi Cazorla’s controversial last-gasp penalty.
“For the penalty, what would it be like for me to comment?” “I thought if I shot down the middle the keeper might go to one side”.
Arsenal goalkeeper Petr Cech admits the Gunners are not firing on all cylinders as they prepare to face Paris Saint Germain on Tuesday.
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Koscielny suffered a kick to the face on Saturday and now has swelling around his right eye socket. He’s with a doctor now. “He is one of the most experienced players we have now here”, the manager said.
