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'We were intelligent and stuck together'

Arsene Wenger discusses the victory against Stoke City and how our top-four hopes look after the result

Four goals, three points and one big monkey off our backs. It was a very satisfactory day’s work at Stoke City on Saturday.

Arsene Wenger was delighted with the character his side showed as they sealed their third successive victory - and just their second in nine Premier League matches at the Potteries.

The Arsenal manager faced the media after the game, and this is what he said:

on the win…
I’m pleased with the result of course, but I think we were a team who were dominant, had a good structure in the game, who were patient, intelligent and stuck together in a moment where Stoke tried to make it rough for us. There was a patch in the second half where we had to stick together on a few corners.

on whether it was unfairly rough…
I don’t say that. I think in the first half we were dominant throughout the game but in the second half they made it a bit more physical. We had to find some resources and keep our nerves to continue with the desire to play. We did that well.

on how the top-four hopes look now…
I don’t know. We have 69 points, so let’s focus on making that 72 on Tuesday night. After that we’ll see. I feel that the team looks strong and solid at the moment. Let’s just focus on the quality of our team and continue to develop what we do.

on whether he’s a West Ham fan over next 24 hours…
Yes. One of the qualities of the Premier League, which you have seen again today, is that historically there is a pride in every team to give their best until the end of the season. I’ve seen West Ham do that against Tottenham, and Stoke did that against us here. We expect the teams to play with full power and if the other teams are better, then they are better.

on reports suggesting he has agreed a one-year deal…
There is no information about that. Nothing.

on the planes…
When you say ‘the fans’, who do you mean by that?

on whether his team are answering his critics…
I’m paid to do my job for a club I love. I will do that will full commitment for as long as I’m here. I’m not influenced by that at all. All I can do is do my best. We have 69 points today, so let’s make it 72 on Tuesday. After that, I will give my best for the values of the club and the club as long as I am here.

on whether flying a plane over grounds reflects the values of the club…
I want to focus on football. All the rest is less important for me. I’m not in politics, I’m in sport. I love sport, I give 24 hours a day for what I love. I’m also in a public job where some people agree with me and some people don’t. I have no special opinion on that.

 

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