Press conference

Wenger on FA charge, Walcott and Aubameyang

Arsène Wenger’s FA charge, VAR and potential January incomings and outgoings were all on the agenda when the manager sat down with the media on Friday morning.

Read on for his comments on the topics.

on how he’s responded to the FA for his comments on refereeing decisions…

First of all, yes I’ve been asked. I maintain what I said in the press conference, 100 per cent. I have nothing to change in that. Nothing has changed. I’ve been in England for 21 years and I’ve tried to serve this game with honesty, integrity and when I have something to say, I say it. On that front, nothing will change. Never.

on whether he stands by saying Chelsea’s penalty decision was ‘farcical’…

100 per cent.

on people saying it was a penalty…

I respect everybody’s opinion but I think it was a yellow card for Hazard, 100 per cent. I have a right to have my opinion, and I respect everybody’s opinion.

on accusations that Jack Wilshere dived as well…

Yes, maybe he did but why should that change my opinion on the penalty? It’s got nothing to do with it. Every situation is different and has to be assessed by the referee. After that, you have your opinion and I have mine. I’ve been in the game long enough to know that everybody can have a different opinion.

on whether penalty decisions against Arsenal are more than just a coincidence…

I have nothing to add to that. I maintain what I said. At the end of the day, we always spend time talking about things that are not really important in the game. What we want is to see big football games, big players on the football pitch and you want them to be refereed by top-quality people. I think I’ve contributed a lot to give referees a great opportunity to be at their best because I’ve had a huge influence on whether they became professional or not. I believe I’ve had more influence on that and a positive one too. That’s why I can also be demanding and what I want from them is to be at the top. I’m quite surprised that that is shocking.

on whether he is still contesting the West Brom charge…

I don’t know. At the moment, I’m focused on football. You imagine that I’ve been in the game for 21 years, and what I’ve seen and heard in the corridors from people… you’ll understand that I’m quite surprised and shocked at being charged.

on whether he still contests it…

I just told you my answer. There’s no need to talk about that much more.

on if he expects FA charge to be dealt with in time for Sunday…

I don’t know, I focus on football. Honestly, that’s the last of my worries. I know what I do, I know what I say and apart from that, when I come out of a press conference, my only worry is football.

on if he’s requested a personal hearing…

No.

on whether VAR could have helped the situation against Chelsea and whether he welcomes it…

I fought for the video for over 10 years, so I can only be pastime. It can create jobs for former referees, who can continue their work and have that influence.

on whether VAR will be success or failure…

Well, I believe it is like every new technology I can be very positive, I am always in favour of moving forward and therefore even if it creates problems it can sort out many mistakes which have been made before and for example the most obvious ones, when you see Swansea against Tottenham, the offside goal would have been detected, so it can get many mistakes out of the games, especially the offsides. It depends how we use it, if it is to keep completely control for the central referee and out of the pitch, looking at the television while the stadium sits there and freezes, it’s better we stay with eh old system. We can get better but as well make it worse.

on the situation with Walcott…

I want him to stay.

on Walcott being linked with other clubs…

I heard that, yes. Personally I want him to stay.

on reports about a move for Aubameyang…

No, it is not a possibility.

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