Arsene Wenger spoke to the media after Arsenal beat Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday. Here is what he said:
on the result…
It was a very important game for us. It was our fourth game in two weeks and I knew in the last 20 minutes we could suffer a bit physically. But overall it was a convincing win in a very intense game. It was a bit uneven technically, we had moments where we lost some balls that we don't usually [lose], but in the end we hung on. There were aspects to our game that people are not used to seeing from us - that means commitment, desire, defending. Their keeper was their best player, and that shows we had the chances to win really comfortably.
on the team spirit…
I am one of the few who never doubted that. This team has lost one game since March in all competitions. You don't do that with an average spirit.
on Olivier Giroud…
No, you [the press] spent a lot of time in finding another striker for us! Maybe that woke something up in him. I like what he did today, because technically it was good, he had a huge physical presence. He looked to me today that he had a exceptional quality performance of a real centre forward.
on Mathieu Flamini...
I said it was a no-brainer [to sign him], I am just sorry that he did not cost £25 million! Overall his performance was exceptional. He hasn't played since May but his performance was very convincing.
on transfer plans…
I am not against spending money, but I want to add super quality to our squad. Tottenham got a lot of money for Bale, they have to invest it - I understand that. The need is different for us, we need one or two super players and we will try to add that. We have 24 more hours, so maybe we can surprise you. Maybe not - but I am confident.
on other deals delaying his transfer plans…
Yes, because it is a little bit like a domino game. Maybe something will happen in the last 24 hours, maybe not. It is very difficult to predict.
on paying a premium…
I am ready to pay what we can afford, even if it is a bit over the market [value] and as long as it is not crazy. I am not against spending.
on Tottenham's pressure at the end…
We finished with three centre backs because I knew in the last five minutes we would need some heading in the box, and I think Sagna saved two headers in the end. Of course you are worried because you could see the other night when Chelsea defended [against Bayern Munich] and in the last few minutes the ball bounces off someone and it could be 1-1. That is part of the game. We did not have the resources anymore to play and just wanted to defend.
on Tottenham being destabilised by new signings…
You need a bit of timer when you buy many players, that is normal. But the players they have bought are quality, you could see that today. You always need a bit more time when you are buying more than three players.
on Jack Wilshere…
He has a stomach bug, but nothing that will stop him from playing for England.
on if it's the same bug as Sagna had…
Yes. What has happened to us, happened to Tottenham a few years ago.
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