Hull City vs. Arsenal: Arsene Wenger's Key Pre-Match Press Conference Comments

Arsene Wenger confirmed that Theo Walcott will return to the squad for the Gunners' Saturday clash at Hull City and explained that summer signing Granit Xhaka has struggled to get in the starting XI because he is still adapting to the English game. 

He also revealed that Olivier Giroud—who started on the bench midweek in the 1-1 draw to Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League—has picked up a toe injury, so he is unlikely to return to make the starting lineup.

Walcott missed the trip to PSG due to a knee injury but has seemingly recovered, while Wenger also gave an update on his other injured players, per the Evening Standard's James Olley:

Goalkeeper Petr Cech is also set to return to the starting lineup having been swapped out for David Ospina against PSG, per Hamish Mackay in the Mirror.

"Cech will be back," said Wenger. "No [there will not be many other changes]. [Giroud] has a knock on Tuesday night, I have to check if he is alright. Big toe. He has been a bit behind fitness wise. He's slowly getting there."

Date	Competition	Result
March 2016	FA Cup	Hull 0-4 Arsenal
Feb. 2016	FA Cup	Arsenal 0-0 Hull
May 2015	Premier League	Hull 1-3 Arsenal
Jan. 2015	FA Cup	Arsenal 2-0 Hull
Oct. 2014	Premier League	Arsenal 2-2 Hull

Arsenal were fortunate to snatch a point against PSG in their first Champions League group-stage game of the season and will be eager to return to winning ways against Hull in the Premier League.

Hull have surprised many with their excellent start to the season. They have claimed seven points from their opening four matches—the same as Arsenal—most recently drawing away at Burnley.

Meanwhile, Arsenal beat Southampton last time out but needed a late penalty from Santi Cazorla to claim all three points.

Wenger hinted that summer signing Granit Xhaka could have a role to play against the Tigers—having last started against Watford on Aug. 27—but explained that the pace of the English game takes time to adapt to, per Arsenal:

Per Mackay, Wenger also said that he thinks Xhaka's best position is as a box-to-box midfielder:

"

Every week he’s stronger and better. I think he will play a big part this season. 

He has the stature, the power, the strength. 

For many players it took some time to get into the team, it happens.

I prefer him as a box-to-box player. He has the engine to have an impact with his runs. 

In one or two occasions [he struggled]. I think he has adapted quite well. His physical strength and power allows him to pretend to play straight away.

"

The Arsenal manager said there was no update on how contract negotiations are progressing with Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil and explained that no new deal will be worked out for Per Mertesacker until he returns from injury, per Mackay: "We have not dealt with that situation. He has to come back [from injury]. We go year by year with Per."

Arsenal are already five points back from Premier League-leaders Manchester City and cannot afford to drop points this week and slide further behind the pace-setters.

A victory over Hull is an absolute necessity for Wenger's men. They have more than enough quality to claim all three points, while they will be buoyed by snatching a draw against PSG and winning both of their last two Premier League matches.