Arsenal play host to high-flying Swansea City, who come into the Monday night fixture after defeating Newcastle United and Stoke City in some fashion. The Gunners will look to regain the second spot from the outgoing champions Manchester City by registering their seventeenth victory in nineteen Premier League games.
Speaking to the press on Friday morning, Arsene Wenger discussed various subjects including the turmoil engulfing Theo Walcott, importance of Santi Cazorla and the identity of Mauricio Pochettino.
Carl Jenkinson was deemed surplus to requirements following the arrival of defensive reinforcements in summer and was subsequently loaned to West Ham United with whom he has impressed this season. Amidst talks of the England international spending another year away from the Emirates Stadium, the French manager seemed to have confirmed the same.
a I met Carl [Jenkinson] this week to speak about his future,a the manager said. a We will sit down together at the end of the season, but my target is to keep him here at the club.
a He has had a great season for me and he has moved forward and overall he has gained a lot of confidence. The decision I have to make is do I bring him back now or does he need one more year now to play in the Premier League. It is not decided yet.a
a Thata s what I have to decide at the end of the season,a he said. a He needs experience. Carl is a young, very promising right back with top quality and he had a good year where he has really moved forward. Ita s important that he has a good chance to play if he comes back.a
In the absence of the 23-year-old, Arsenal have seen the meteoric rise of Hector Bellerin, who gives his manager a food for thought before opting to choose Mathieu Debuchy ahead of him. The Spaniard has, thus, filled the road with thorns on which Carl Jenkinson may have wanted to drive his car to the Emirates Stadium at the end of his loan period.
Mauricio Pochettino stated earlier that day that Tottenham Hotspur might need five new topnotch signings to battle it out at the highest level next season. When the Gunners manager was quizzed about his transfer activity this summer, he announced that he might not make a lot signings putting the accent on his need for quality next season.
Despite Thierry Henry and a whole host of so-called football pundits claiming that Arsene Wenger should make four signings and not get blinded by their late resurgence, the Frenchman seems coy over abiding by the terms of his critics.
a You want me to beat him [the Spurs manager]?! I dona t think ita s the numbers we need,a the Arsenal manager said. a We have a squad of top quality and if we can strengthen our squad then of course wea ll do it.
a Leta s finish the season well, focus on doing well together until the end and then see who can reinforce our squad.a
Even the highly celebrated Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil have had ups and downs this season, but Santi Cazorla is one Arsenal fixture, who has always been imperious in the build-up. The 64-year-old manager did not fail to recognize the influence of the Spaniard as he heaped praise on his technical ability, desire to fight against the need for an imposing physique and his ambidexterity.
a Ita s because of his technical quality and his intelligence,a the manager explained. a Hea s a model to watch. If you go out and you watch Cazorla play, you think this is not a player – when you watch him play for Spain – who can specifically be a player for the Premier League.
a Hea s a fantastic example that no matter how tall you are, ita s about how good you are. Hea s a very intelligent player and he also shows how important it is to be right and left footed in midfield.
a Yes [his permanent role will be in the middle],a added Wenger. a Hea s at an age where he has experience and where ita s a bit more difficult on the flanks. His technical quality, vision and experience are very important central.a
On the injury front, Arsene Wenger announced that Aaron Ramsey and Danny Welbeck would not feature against the Swans due to setbacks, but the absence of the former may be redressed by the introduction of Jack Wilshere, who showed promise during the Gunnersa last outing.