on the performance…I felt we had a complete
performance in the first half as long as we had the legs to sustain what
we wanted to do. In the second half our togetherness and the third goal
got us through. We defended well, we lost a bit more of the ball than
in the first half and our movements were less fluent but we kept the
spirit and organisation. The first half was very exciting.
on looking forward to the Premier League season…To
win today gives us a positive platform to prepare but now the Premier
League starts and we have to start well at home because it's a derby,
it's a very uncomfortable team [we face in Crystal Palace]. It will be a
different kind of game as well. Let's be on our toes and prepare well
but it was important to win today.
on judging the importance of games like the Community Shield...You
want to win the game and you want to look at the quality of the
performance as well. I think it was important for our confidence to win
the game but it was as well even more important to have a big part in
the game with a quality performance. That is the comfort for me to see
that we can produce the kind of quality we can produce for some long
patches in the game.
The kind of performance he delivered today is very promising. It's
impressive because he hasn't got a long history in this position because
he was a right back
Wenger on Calum Chambers
on beating a top-four side…That's why it was
important for us today not to lose the game. On that front we know that
last year we were very consistent against the teams outside the top six
and not consistent against the top six teams. The year before it was
reversed so let's hope that this year it will be right on both sides.
on Calum Chambers playing centre back...I
saw him there when I bought him and I play him there. For a 19-year-old
he had an outstanding performance today. The kind of performance he
delivered today is very promising. It's impressive because he hasn't got
a long history in this position because he was a right back and I think
if all goes well he has a good career in front of him.
on Chambers challenging Mertesacker…He can
challenge both centre backs and that's what you want. You cannot play
with two centre backs the whole season; that means he will play. You saw
Monreal who played one or two games at centre back and he did well.
on Chambers' arrival and Vermaelen's departure being linked…I
allowed Thomas Vermaelen to leave before the end of the season because
he was not playing regularly, he behaved outstandingly the whole season
with dignity. It's difficult to maintain that kind of player at the top
level if he doesn't play regularly. I'm quite grateful and wish him very
well because his behaviour was outstanding even if he didn't play.
on Chambers…I would have bought him anyway because he can play right back, centre back and he can play central midfield.
on replacing Vermaelen…What it does in my head
is [make me think that] Chambers is among the best three and if I can
find another one I will do it. But to find another one of that quality
will not be easy because... Vermaelen left us and had the choice between
two massive clubs. That means these clubs have looked everywhere as
well and that means it's not easy to find.
on looking for a fourth-choice centre back…You
make your position with your performance and you have to accept that.
With the boys who have chosen to live in a competitive world, who plays?
I cannot tell you. But maybe a guy who can play in two or three
different positions would be a better asset for us.
on Debuchy and Alexis' performance…Debuchy was
excellent, [Alexis] Sanchez was lively, still not completely ready
physically but he was very exciting. He was always dangerous, always a
threat and gives us great qualities on the counter-attack.
on where Alexis will play…He can play on both flanks.
on who the new captain will be…1. Arteta, 2. Mertesacker.
on Wilshere…Jack is OK.
on Gibbs…He is OK. He had a good performance today, I wouldn't like to forget him because he was outstanding for me today.
on his attacking options this season…I have more
attacking options than I had for a long time - that's for sure. Three,
four, five years ago, every year we lost a big player. In the last two
years, we added players like Ozil and this season like Alexis so of
course that strengthens the squad. I am of course very ambitious but I'm
a bit cautious because I have quite a good experience. I look around
and see the other teams have strengthened as well so it will be
interesting to watch the Premier League because it looks like all the
big teams will be very strong.
on the last time he had this competition for places…I don't know. I don't look to much behind me, I always look forward.
on winning two trophies in 85 days…I would love to win one every week, unfortunately it's not possible. Let's just win the next game.
