Read some extra quotes from Arsène Wenger's pre-match press conference. For more headlines, visit our Digest page.
on Jack Wilshere…
I’ve spoken with him about that [smoking] and he’s not a smoker. He is of course sorry for what has happened. It’s down to him to master his life. He had the day off the next day and he went out to watch the Super Bowl. When he’s here he has to follow the rules that we dictate here, when he’s out of his job it’s his own responsibility to behave like he wants to behave. I don't think there's any more to add on that. I believe his photo has been taken at half past 12 when he watched the Super Bowl. I don't know any more of what happened and it's not of a big interest.
on being worried about Wilshere's reputation…
"Every morning he's one of the first in and every afternoon certainly the last out. He works very hard, he's gone through some bad spells in his career and always recovered"
Wenger on Wilshere
You're always worried for your players that they get what they don't deserve. But I think I observe him well and he behaves in a very professional way, I must say. Every morning he's certainly one of the first in and every afternoon certainly the last out. He works very hard, he's gone through some bad spells in his career and always recovered. It would be wrong to give him that kind of reputation because he's a serious player and he works very hard.
on getting through to Wilshere…
You have been 23 as well. You need sometimes to relieve the pressure a bit. I think today it's much more difficult because everywhere you go people make photos and a photo shows one second of your life. It doesn't define who you are. I believe you have to take that with a distance as well. I remember when I was in Brazil, I have been seen with some photos by people I didn't even know were around me so you have to be very careful about that. I believe he works hard, he practices well, he's ahead of schedule in his training, he's two weeks ahead, and you don't do that if you are not serious. As I told you, he is first in, last out, and he works very hard to get there. I am not worried at all about that.
on Redknapp's resignation…
It was a complete shock and surprise but when it's down to health reasons you respect that of course. You feel sorry because I think Harry has the competence and the knowledge with his experience to get QPR out of trouble and it was a complete surprise.
on whether the Premier League will miss Redknapp…
Yes because he arrived 18 years ago and was already working in the Premier League.
on if the team have cured 'problem' with 12.45 games…
We never had any specific problem with the timing of the kick off, believe me. What we had a problem with last season in these type of games is the quality of our performance. You know you can play at 1.30 or 12.45. Let’s be serious - it’s not in those 45 minutes later that you feel absolutely fantastic and terrible 45 minutes earlier. This is not true. It’s a joke.
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