The terrorist attacks on Paris were the main focus of Arsene Wenger's press conference on Thursday. Read on for a transcript of what the Arsenal manager said:
on Tuesday night’s game…
I would like to thank the English community and English football who have shown great solidarity. It was a shock, a huge shock for our country. I think the football world has responded how you would want it to respond with a big togetherness.
on Paris…
I was not far from the event. I think everybody in Paris on Friday night was under shock. The whole city was shocked and I think France like England is a tolerant and generous country and to discover how much your own citizens hate you and the country of course, it is a shock for the whole country as you wonder what is going on there.
"To see the arch of Wembley in the French colours was something that had a strong significance for French people. England handled this situation with a lot of class"
Arsene Wenger
You wonder why they have got this kind of treatment. I believe at the moment nobody in France has found a answer or a real explanation or why because what was targeted is a way of life - going to watch the football, going out, listening to music - and it is more of a way of life that has been targeted more than any type of community.
on his safety…
I was more under shock than fearful because you could be scared about what is going on as there were four different places that could have been attacked. In the centre of Paris you did not feel secure anywhere. I was late [for an] appointment and was late going to the stadium so I decided to stay and watch the game inside the hotel where I was. In the end in the hotel we were quite secure but the streets were completely empty.
on whether it changes his experience of going to football stadia…
You have a bit more of a question of security because it looks like it’s not the end of it in France especially. A way for us [to overcome it] is just to get on with life and respond in a positive way to the situation. You cannot stop everything, we have to continue with our lives and try to get people to focus on something else.
on whether he worries for France…
Yes of course. I’m worried that it could divide society and create some tensions in some parts of the country. That could be damaging for the multicultural society. You also wonder what can change inside the country and you have to trust politicians to make the right decisions to counter-attack against that.
on whether France can provide a safe environment for Euro 2016…
The country can provide that. France is a tolerant society. Maybe we were a bit too tolerant and didn’t have enough security worries. Certainly we have to raise the level. One of the good things after what happened is that security levels will be raised and maybe the 2016 Euros in France will be more secure.
on Premier League considering having Les Marseillaise sung before games…
I think it’s a nice gesture of solidarity. It’s not an obvious one for the fans, like it would not be an obvious one for the fans in France to sing God Save the Queen, because they do not know the words. Symbolically it’s a very nice gesture.
on what he thought of how Wembley handled it…
I think it was fantastic for France and it showed the class of England. To see the arch of Wembley in the French colours was something that had a strong significance for French people. England handled this situation with a lot of class.
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