Arsene Wenger faced the media following the 4-0 victory over Coventry City in the FA Cup. Scroll down for a transcript from the press conference.
on a job well done…
Yes. Coventry did well but we did [our job] well, especially in the first half. In the second half we dropped a little bit the pace in our game. In the last 20 minutes it became all us again because they were tired. But Coventry did fight and they had some chances at the beginning of the second half because they had a real go. Some of our players dropped a little bit because they haven't played for a long time.
on Podolski's prolific scoring…
Podolski can score goals and when you have a goal chance you want him to have it. He is a clinical finisher and he has an unbelievable short and quick backlift. He is very accurate in his finishing. He can be effective, he can score goals when he starts and when he comes on, he is always dangerous. His performances have been more convincing on the flank than in the middle until now.
"Podolski can score goals and when you have a goal chance you want him to have it. He is a clinical finisher and he has an unbelievable short and quick backlift"
on Oxlade-Chamberlain…
I liked what he did tonight in the centre, especially when we had the ball. Defensively he worked hard but I liked especially offensively him and Jack together, they could be a good partnership in the future for England as well.
on Gedion Zelalem's debut…
It was a good opportunity to give him a chance to play and he showed when he came on that he is not scared, not fazed by the occasion. He wants the ball and you feel there is some vision and personality behind his pass.
on Gedion being the first Arsenal player born after Wenger became manager...
That is more damaging for me than for him!
on Mourinho's claim that Arsenal get favourable fixtures…
Look, you choose over Christmas the fixtures and you tell me who had the best fixtures! We played on Sunday against Everton, on Wednesday in Naples and on Saturday morning at Man City, so we have not the same assessment on that front. I can accept that we have different opinions. Everybody is free in life to have their opinion.
on whether Mata joining Man United harms Arsenal…
No, not really. If we have a [title] chance it is down to our performances and only about that, and that is what we have to focus on. I was asked a question, I gave an honest answer. I am still naive enough to believe that sometimes people are more interested in the ideas than about creating conflict. But no, it is an illusion.
on Ju-Young Park…
I had Giroud on the bench and Flamini was not available so I decided to go for Gedion Zelalem. He [Park] is not injured. No [there have been no bids for him].
on Julian Draxler rumours…
That again is an illusion. There is nothing happening, honestly no. We have no need on the flanks, we have Chamberlain coming back, we have many players on the flanks. Honestly, I told you in the last press conference, we don't rule it out but at the moment I cannot announce anything to you.
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