Arsene Wenger was quizzed about a range of subjects in Tuesday’s press conference, including the impact made by new signing Alexandre Lacazette.
The France international has made a good start to life in England, and the Arsenal manager had this to say - as well as discussing the Premier League title race:
on Alexandre Lacazette being subbed off nine times…
First of all I would like to say that in my job you sub strikers more than defenders, because they have to create, they have to provoke, they have to be incisive in every run. Secondly, I think he adapts physically to the Premier League and I’m very happy with the work he does for the team every time he is on the pitch, and thirdly I do that as well because I have other options on the bench who are fresh and can give us another variation in our attacks.
on how big a jump the Premier League is physically…
Physically, the Premier League is very demanding. It demands a huge intensity of work and if you look at the other teams, they take off a lot of strikers as well after 70-80 minutes, between 60 and 80 minutes most of the teams change their strikers because first of all many times they have to work on their own up front against two or three people. Up front you provoke and at the back you respond, so it’s completely different and much more exhausting physically and mentally.
on whether he believes that Arsenal are in the title race…
Look, at the moment we are far apart, but the only way we can keep that alive is for us to win the games and that’s why the next game is so important for us.
on whether Klopp and Pochettino get an easier ride than himself…
I don’t compare things like that, I just focus on doing my job. I can live with any opinion, I think I have shown that in my 21 years and I know that it is not what people think. What can I do for Arsenal - that’s my only worry.
on whether everyone in the PL is just playing for second place…
No. I don’t think so. It’s too early to say that. I feel that every team has its vulnerabilities, even Manchester City. They had a good start but it’s too early. We are in November and you win the championship in May.
on whether it’s good that we have such a dominant team…
No, it’s not good. What is interesting for everybody is that it’s very tight and very close, and that every game is uncertain. What makes the attraction of the Premier League is that every game is intense and unpredictable.
on when Wenger realised his side could become Invincibles…
I felt that with five or six games to go. We won the championship with five games to go and then there’s usually a decompression where people relax. That was the most difficult part, to keep the team alive to continue to work hard, to continue to be focused. They had that celebration and then they had the next game. That’s always difficult.
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