Reporting Live from Wengers press conference

I'm busy moving this weekend so Akhil very kindly has done another post, as he said earlier he went to wenger's press conference on today, here's what he took from it.

One of the main talking points from the Arsene Wenger’s press conference was that he was ‘surprised’ that William Gallas has joined Tottenham however he understands his decision. He was quick to point out that an offer in May is worth a lot more now. The football world has changed this summer and ‘Offers at the start of the summer are not the same now’. ‘Once a club separates from a player, it’s always hard to go back’ said the boss. He went on to add ‘William was a winner and 100% focused and motivated but had an exaggerated bad reputation’. Wenger did admit he wanted to keep him but it did not happen. Wenger was grateful to Gallas and wished him good luck.

In terms of the current players and squad, Nasri is out for ‘three weeks’ while Denilson remains out injured. Song and Fabregas return to the squad for the home game against Blackpool. In regards to the loss of Frimpong, Wenger said it’s a massive loss and he will be out for at least six months.

In terms of new players coming in, there is no news. Manual Almunia is the Arsenal number 1 and ‘we must trust him’ says the boss. Wenger was asked about Manual Almunia being unsettled and Wenger admitted he has been but he is strong enough to cope. When asked about Mark Schwarzer and if the bid was the same as in May, Wenger refused to comment. He said he will not mention names but in general admitted ‘Arsenal is still one body short’. He is looking at centre backs but did not come out with any names.

Arsenal’s opponents this weekend are Blackpool. Blackpool should be treated with respect as they won away from home so we must be mature enough as they have made a good start. When asked if Blackpool are similar to Hull, as Hull came to the Emirates and won, Wenger agreed, he said that means we ‘must prepare well’.

Football focus is doing a piece on Paul Scholes and Wenger was asked for his views. Wenger said that Scholes was ‘a media lion’. He was not always the fairest player and had a dark side so the media did not always give him the credit he deserved. When asked if he would have wanted Scholes, he said ‘Yes I would have liked him here!’ When the ball is at his feet, something can always happen.

The final questions were about IPods in the dressing room and if that means players communicate less. Wenger said ‘it depends on the music!’ He spoke about technology generally and said that if it’s used in the right way it can be an advantage but if over-used then it can be a danger. He went on to speak about when he was a player and it would take 30 minutes to find someone in the ground where as, it takes a few minutes now as mobile phones can be used.

By Akhil Vyas (follow him on twitter @10akhil or me @TheRSD)