Press conference

‘Yes, I’ve had offers. More than I expected!’

Arsene Wenger has held his penultimate press conference at our London Colney training base.

The boss was quizzed about his next move in football after leaving us at the end of the season, and as ever was asked for his thoughts on a range of other issues.

Read on for some of the key quotes from Wenger’s media briefing: 

on his abiding memory of Sunday’s game…

The goodbye, but first of all our game, the quality of our game. It typified our home season a little bit, that was outstanding, and the number of goals we scored. We didn’t score too many goals away but overall we scored 72 goals and we still have two games to go. Going forward, we played well. Also the fact that it all went well, from the sunshine to the final moment I left the pitch, it all went well. I had a good opportunity to say goodbye to everybody.

on whether he’s surprised to hear speculation about Claude Puel’s future…

Yes, but I don’t know if that’s the truth or not. I think he’s done a good job there and hopefully he can keep it.

on whether anyone on the board has told him who his replacement will be…

No.

on whether he would approve of Enrique or Allegri…

I know these guys are very competent and all good names. I will be like every Arsenal fan, I will wait until they’ve made a decision and then afterwards support the guy in doing well.

on if boss thinks the job suits an experienced coach or a younger one…

Look, I said I don’t want to come out publicly on that. If I say I go for this one, or this one, it puts the guy under pressure straight away. It’s better I stay neutral. If the club wants my advice, I will give it to them, but it’s better I don’t talk publicly about it.

on if he’s had offers yet…

Yes. More than I expected!

on how he’s dealing with the offers…

At the moment I focus on doing my job well. I didn’t analyse anything or consider anything. I want to work well until the last day of my contract, and then after, I will rest a little bit and go from there. What is for sure is that I will be active. My brain demands work and is active. I have a huge experience of management and people management. Overall, I will work. What will I do? I don’t know yet.

on if offers are from English clubs…

I don’t want to go any further on that or into any detail at the moment.

on if the boss will manage or if he’ll go to Fifa or Uefa…

Honestly, I don’t know. I have to think about that. I like green grass and I like to walk on it every morning. I don’t know if I’ll continue that, it’s possible.

on not having a point away from home in 2018…

Yes, it’s true, I want to win the last two away games. But I must say it was a bit special circumstances with the fact that we played in the League Cup final, the Europa League quarter and semi-final and away from home I rotated the teams to prepare for these cup games. Overall I would say I want to finish with two wins and that’s why I will go to Leicester tomorrow giving absolutely everything to win the game.

on his legacy continuing with youth team success this season…

Yes, that’s part of our qualities and of our values. That will continue. Arsenal is a very popular club, very respected all over the world. Part of that respect is down to the fact that the youth get a chance.

on his future…

I don’t want to work in the media!

on if he sees himself managing an English team…

At the moment that is difficult to me. I don’t envisage that at the moment. And I would like to finish one of my last press conferences by thanking David Dein, who brought me here. He had a special vision for the future, for the Premier League, and as well for me as a foreign manager, he gave me a chance when nobody knew me here. I would like to thank him. He was always a consistent support through my 22 years. He deserves a special thanks from myself because he’s a special man.

on if announcing a replacement before the World Cup is a good idea…

Yes, of course. I think the earlier, the better. People want hope and they need as well to prepare for the next season. I must say the squad doesn’t need much, because there’s a huge potential in there. There’s a good spirit, a good basis. It needs two or three additions and this team will compete for the championship next year.

on if he sees there being a lot of spending…

No, I don’t think so. It’s as well difficult nowadays because when you see that defenders go for £70 million, what is much and what is not much? Nobody knows anymore.

on players referring to him as a father figure and if they will feel after-effects of him leaving…

No, I believe that you are here to guide the players to get to their best. Some of the players, like Jack Wilshere, I’ve known him since he was basically 15 years old. Of course that builds a special relationship because you see them going from kids to men. You help them to go through some very difficult situations. Jack Wilshere has gone through being a superstar to suddenly being out for a year. At that age it’s absolutely difficult. They need as well some help.

on the criticism of Leicester and Puel...

I don't know what's happening inside the club, I just know that Puel is a competent manager. I had him as a player and he's a bit similar to what I do, that means he is a fighter and is ready to swim against the stream. That tenacity will get him through the difficult period.

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