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Wenger SPORTS: September 13, 2016 ] Arsenal’s Laurent Koscielny undervalued in France

Let’s give [Lucas] time.

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According to reports from the London Evening Standard, Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny took part in training today – suggesting he could start their Champions League clash with Paris Saint-Germain tomorrow evening.

Adapting to the Premier League is always an underrated aspect of signing players from overseas. “I know PSG’s owners well but I feel always I remained loyal to Arsenal because it is a club that has the qualities I love”. But I think there’s always a way to open the door.

PSG come into this year’s campaign in a state of transition having replaced manager Laurent Blanc with Unai Emery, largely for his experience in European competition with Sevilla. “My personal case is not at stake in that”, he said. Wenger said he is all-too aware that a good start is therefore required.

“Last year, we were second in the group because Bayern [Munich] were in front of us”. But I think he’s one of the best defenders in the world, yes I do.

Last month, Emmanuel Petit claimed his former Gunners team-mate Vieira was “disgusted” with how Wenger has dealt with the likes of Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp, Tony Adams, as well as himself.

“It will be important to have the ball and manage the positioning to attack, and then to defend when we do not have the ball”, the Spaniard told a news conference.

“Better than all my speeches is the way we play and the dynamic we can put into the games. We’re looking forward to it”.

“I was used to playing with my younger squads when you build a stadium because you don’t have the resources”, he said. “He had a big knock on his face [after the Southampton game] but recovered quite well. They’re a team with a lot of good, technically proficient individual players”.

In contrast, PSG won their first two Ligue 1 matches, but have since lost to Monaco before drawing 1-1 with Saint Etienne on Friday. It’s the first time for a long time that I’ve had a team of what you can call men ready to compete.

“I accept my responsibility, but I need time”. Confidence is spread around between the players, spread within the squad.

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The key to returning to the latter stages is winning Group A to thereby set up an easier draw in the first knockout round, and so taking points off the French champions at the Parc des Princes could be crucial.

Arsenal head coach Arsene Wenger attends a press conference at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris France Monday Sept. 12 2016. | AP