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Wenger on a workout, transfers, Wilshere

Arsène Wenger

Arsene Wenger spoke to the media after Arsenal's 2-0 pre-season friendly victory against Boreham Wood. This is what he had to say:

on a good workout…

For us it was important to give everybody a run-out to see how close the young players are, to see how fit the players who are used to playing in the Premier League are. Overall what we want is [to avoid] injuries and to get everybody at a good fitness level.

on getting players fit during major tournament years…

It's much more difficult because players come back stage by stage. Players that have gone out early come back next week [but] for example the three players that won the World Cup will return at the beginning of August, so it's very difficult to get everybody at the same level at the start of the season.

"I'm very happy with what I could do until now. It's not over - there's still a long way to go"

Wenger on signings

on pictures of Jack Wilshere in the press…

I haven't spoken to him so it's very difficult for me to make any statement. I know what you can make of pictures - I have to speak to him really to see what happens before I come out publicly. I'm not deeply concerned by it. I just want to know what happened and before I know what happened, I don't want to talk too much about it.

on Cesc Fabregas…

I think people came out and said he wanted to go to Chelsea. I don't know who tells the truth here or not. He landed where he wanted to go.

on Arsenal's summer signings so far…

I'm very happy with what I could do until now. It's not over - there's still a long way to go.

on what other positions could be strengthened…

I can't give you any names because you are never sure that you can do what you want. We are still out there to strengthen our squad.

on the competition in midfield…

There's big competition but there are many players with a lot of talent that didn't play many games last year. Oxlade-Chamberlain was out for a long time, Wilshere was injured and Diaby was injured for the whole season. They are back now and it's very difficult to predict how fit they will be at the beginning of the season. There's a big competition in the middle of the park, yes.

on Mertesacker, Ozil and Podolski winning the World Cup…

"Winning makes you only stronger and more confident and hopefully we will benefit from that in the new season"

Arsene Wenger

What is good is that [Germany] won the World Cup, so their confidence should be stronger. We won the FA Cup with the last game of the season, they went away and won the World Cup. Winning makes you only stronger and more confident and hopefully we will benefit from that in the new season.

on Louis van Gaal's appointment…

What is important is our performances. I believe that Manchester United have appointed a great manager who has shown during the World Cup that he's top quality. It will certainly be difficult for us but for other competitors as well. We are all at the same level.

on if he wants to sign a goalkeeper…

I will bring in a goalkeeper for sure.

on Thomas Vermaelen's future…

I cannot guarantee that [he will stay at the club] but should he go, I will bring another centre back in for sure.

on doing transfer deals early…

You are not the only one who decides that. Sometimes players that you want are available very late. You refer maybe to the Ozil case but at the same period last year, he was not available and became available very late. We'll do the deals when it's possible and that depends on three different opinions. This team we could do it early.

on how important this season is for Wilshere…

He's at an age where yo want him to move forward. He has the potential. I believe for him, the most important [thing] now is to have a good preparation and focus on getting really fit. Jack is a great player - he has a football brain and he's ambitious. I'm sure that [if] he's injury free, he will have a great season.

on when he will speak to Wilshere…

Next week.

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