Champions League playoffs – Arsenal 2-0 Fenerbahce
Wenger reacts after 5-0 aggregate win:
On securing a group stage place…
We completed the job and we had some problems to get into the pace of the game. Overall, especially in the second half, we controlled the game and did a professional job. It was maybe not a very exciting game but we did what we had to do. Overall we scored five goals and didn’t concede so we are in the group stage. That’s what we wanted.
on injuries…
That’s the negative of tonight. We paid a heavy price on the injury front because we lost Podolski. I don’t know how bad Ramsey is. I don’t know how Wilshere responds to an ankle problem. We have to check that [on Wednesday] morning.
on the fouls at the end of the game…
Yes, the two tackles on Wilshere were disappointing. I cannot change it now. He looks alright. Podolski is definitely out for 21 days and Ramsey we have to check how severe his groin is tomorrow.
on Juan Mata’s father reportedly being in the stadium…
I have heard like you, because I watched the game last night, that Juan Mata could be on the market. I don’t know. There’s anyway a reluctance in England to sell to each other.
on Ramsey’s performance…
He gets to the end of things now. I liked especially his second goal. It’s a good finish and a year ago he would not have taken that chance the way he took it here. He’s improving from week to week. That’s very positive for us because a year ago, many people were questioning Aaron Ramsey.
on reaching group stage of Champions League for 16th consecutive season…
I believe that at the top level, the most difficult is to be consistent. Of course it’s an achievement because if you look at the clubs in Europe who have done it, there are only three clubs that have done it in the whole of Europe. I hear a lot that it’s not enough and I agree with that. But still it shows that we have been remarkably consistent. Our ambition is much higher than that and I take that
on board from everybody.
on if Podolski’s hamstring could have been torn…
I think Podolski will be out for about three weeks.
on if he’s accepted that he will not sign Wayne Rooney…
Look we cannot speak about players who are under contract with other clubs. When players are under contract at another club, they have to respect the contract. If you want to buy the player, you have to speak to the club first. I think we have all to accept that.
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