Wenger on Sanogo, Campbell and Alexis
Arsène Wenger spoke to the media after his side beat Benfica in the Emirates Cup on Saturday afternoon. Here is what he had to say:
on Sanogo's four goals…
That's football. It always surprises you.
on whether the win is a sign of things to come…
I think it's very difficult to draw any conclusions like that. Benfica might be in a different level of preparation. We are not completely ready, what is important is that during important spells of the game we played the way we wanted to play football - that is the most positive thing. Our game is based on movement, technical skill and togetherness in the final third so overall that's the positive side of our game today.
on Sanogo and Cambpell's potential…
A headache is when they don't play well. We have some decisions to make when everybody plays well, that's true. But when everybody plays well that's what we want. They need to play of course but they need to play here. Sanogo came last year on a free and we worked very hard for six months with him and from January onwards he was slowly getting better. Now that we have worked very hard with him, we want him to stay here.
on Campbell…
Campbell has done very well. I like the way he plays, he's good on the ball, creative and collectively as well he has a good balance between individual skill and collective attitude - that's not easy to find.
on whether there has been any offers for Campbell…
No. There is no reason to let him go.
on whether he is available for a loan deal…
No. I want to keep him.
on Alexis...
He is not fit yet, but he has shown through some runs he will be very dangerous. He can play on the flanks and through the middle. [On Sunday] I will certainly play him on the flank for 45 minutes. He is not fit yet, but in one week he should be much better.
on Sanogo's self-belief...
Sanogo was injured for basically two years before he came to us. If you look at his goal scoring record before he got injured, it is quite frightening. For a while when he came back last season, he could not score. You could see when he scored the first goal today, suddenly they came raining. I especially liked the third goal he scored, it was really the goal of a striker of quality. He has a big future here, or course, he is 21. He has something of Adebayor. He is strong, a strong body, similar strengths [to Adebayor], but as well technical skill.
on Chambers...
I thought he played very well, was intelligent, good decision-making and calm on the ball, good in the air. He is 19 years old, and what he did is very promising. I told you we will have a core of English players, you have to trust me, I will get you slowly a good national team!
on the injuries...
Diaby was not in the squad, he is just going out to practice, but is not injured. Zelalem has no problem, I could just put 22 on the list.
on having too many players...
Yes, but you want me always to buy more. Where do I put them all?
on whether he has made an offer for Sami Khedira…
No.
on enquiring for Khedira...
What is enquire for you?
on Khedira's availablity...
I dont know. If I read the newspapers, he is available.