Arsene Wenger and Per Mertesacker faced the media in Monte Carlo ahead of their UEFA Champions League clash against AS Monaco. Here's a briefing of what they discussed.
Team News
Its positive as well as negative. Positive part is that Gabriel has traveled with the squad. Ox, as we know, is injured and Rosicky as well is out of the squad due to sickness. Gabriel coming in for Akpom is the only change in the matchday squad which faced West Ham United.
Its positive as well as negative. Positive part is that Gabriel has traveled with the squad. Ox, as we know, is injured and Rosicky as well is out of the squad due to sickness. Gabriel coming in for Akpom is the only change in the matchday squad which faced West Ham United.
Pitch Concern
It has been raining in Monaco. There were showers yesterday and there is rain forecast for tomorrow. Wenger was concerned for pitch because it will be affected, "The pitch, thanks to the rain here yesterday and showers are forecast again tomorrow, is a cause for concern."
"It's good but when it rains here, it doesn't drizzle."
It has been raining in Monaco. There were showers yesterday and there is rain forecast for tomorrow. Wenger was concerned for pitch because it will be affected, "The pitch, thanks to the rain here yesterday and showers are forecast again tomorrow, is a cause for concern."
"It's good but when it rains here, it doesn't drizzle."
Defying Stats
Numbers are heavily tilted against Arsenal regarding their chance of progress. Last time a team went ahead despite of carrying 2 goal deficit from home tie was Ajax in late 1960s. But Wenger is adamant to win the battle against the odds as well, "Statistics are against us. But we must do everything to make sure the statistics lie."
Numbers are heavily tilted against Arsenal regarding their chance of progress. Last time a team went ahead despite of carrying 2 goal deficit from home tie was Ajax in late 1960s. But Wenger is adamant to win the battle against the odds as well, "Statistics are against us. But we must do everything to make sure the statistics lie."
Per on setting things right
After putting up a shambolic display against them in home tie, BFG wants to make amends and set things straight "We have to show a different face, but you need to embrace a challenge. They have a good side, but we are confident. Want to put things right."
After putting up a shambolic display against them in home tie, BFG wants to make amends and set things straight "We have to show a different face, but you need to embrace a challenge. They have a good side, but we are confident. Want to put things right."
Confident Mertesacker and Wenger on chances
Not everyone thinks that Arsenal can progress from this position. But the team is confident of doing so.
PM: "We speak a lot to each other, even when we win a game. We need to learn after a defeat the same when we win a game.
"We know in the first leg we weren't really up for it mentally. You could see that. There was a little pressure."
"Even away from home we can beat any team in the world."
AW: "Of course Monaco have a very solid defence and we will need to be very creative in an attacking sense.
"We want to give everything to have the greatest performance on the pitch. If we did not believe we could do it, we would not be here.
On Premier League chances "Our target is to continue to win games, we are too far still from Chelsea, we will give everything to get close to them."
Not everyone thinks that Arsenal can progress from this position. But the team is confident of doing so.
PM: "We speak a lot to each other, even when we win a game. We need to learn after a defeat the same when we win a game.
"We know in the first leg we weren't really up for it mentally. You could see that. There was a little pressure."
"Even away from home we can beat any team in the world."
AW: "Of course Monaco have a very solid defence and we will need to be very creative in an attacking sense.
"We want to give everything to have the greatest performance on the pitch. If we did not believe we could do it, we would not be here.
On Premier League chances "Our target is to continue to win games, we are too far still from Chelsea, we will give everything to get close to them."
Wenger on Giroud
HFB had a disastrous game against the opposition in the first leg. But since then, he has moved on and showed his true potential "Giroud is better today. He needs to play a good game for himself, he wants to do as well as possible. I think he has the international and mental level required."
HFB had a disastrous game against the opposition in the first leg. But since then, he has moved on and showed his true potential "Giroud is better today. He needs to play a good game for himself, he wants to do as well as possible. I think he has the international and mental level required."
That's all.
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