Arsene Wenger Talks Raheem Sterling, Mesut Ozil at Arsenal vs. Liverpool Presser

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger described Liverpool starlet Raheem Sterling as a "top player," but refused to comment on rumours of a summer move for the player as the Frenchman faced the media ahead of his side’s clash against the Reds on Saturday lunchtime.

Wenger also spoke about Mesut Ozil’s visit to a nightclub, reported interested in Palermo star Paulo Dybala, Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard and provided fitness updates on a host of key players with the crunch clash at the Emirates looming.

The most anticipated topic ahead of the presser was Arsenal’s apparent pursuit of Sterling. According to John Cross of the Daily Mirror, the Gunners will look to capitalise on uncertainty regarding the player’s contract by launching a summer move for the England international; the player himself revealed in an interview with the BBC he’s rejected an offer from the Reds.

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While Wenger praised the player’s quality, he wouldn’t be drawn on the matter, per Cross: “Sterling is a top player,” said the Frenchman. “I don't want to get involved in that just 48 hours before game.”

At the end of the media session he was asked about the 20-year-old again, but refused to take the bait, per Kevin Palmer of ESPN:

Wenger was also quizzed about Ozil and his visit to a nightclub. As noted by Simon Rice of The Independent, the player was pictured at a Berlin venue just hours after missing Arsenal’s trip to Newcastle with illness. Per the aforementioned piece, the Gunners were said to be “relaxed” over the incident.

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It’s a sentiment Wenger backed up, insisting that the playmaker only went out to briefly meet a friend, per Miguel Delaney of ESPN:

While Wenger refused to discuss a potential pursuit of Sterling at length, he was a lot more forthcoming when quizzed on Palermo star Dybala.

As noted by George Ankers of Goal.com, the Serie A side’s president Maurizio Zamparini told Radio Merte that the Gunners and Juventus had both bid for the forward, who is poised to leave the Stadio Renzo Barbera this summer.

But the Arsenal boss insisted that there has been no offer and no interest in the Argentinian star:

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Instead, Wenger naturally seemed happier talking about his current players and he had positive news aplenty when it came to the fitness of a lot of stars who are back in training. The Frenchman also confirmed that Danny Welbeck could be fit to play despite picking up an injury on international duty, per the club’s official Twitter:

After another excellent performance in national team colours for Welbeck, Wenger had high praise for the player who signed from Manchester United last summer:

Wenger also had praise aplenty for a player who won't be featuring for the opposition this weekend: Steven Gerrard.

The Liverpool skipper’s red card against the Red Devils means he will be suspended for this fixture and, provided the two don’t meet in the FA Cup final—a likely prospect, admittedly—he has played his last game against the Gunners.

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The Arsenal manager claimed the midfielder is one of the best players he’s ever faced as a manager:

But Wenger must focus on the task at hand on Saturday, when his team face a Liverpool side that have been in superb form in 2015. As noted here by Bleacher Report’s Andy Brassell, it’s a match that will be imperative in defining the ambitions of these two sides from now until the end of the campaign:

While the Reds have been impressive since the turn of the year, so have the Gunners. At home especially, their form has been immaculate of late and a win here against Liverpool would push them nine points clear of the resurgent Merseysiders.

Typically, games between these sides are eminently entertaining, but the added spice provided by the Sterling speculation and the battle for the Champions League spots could make this one a classic encounter. But despite the whirlwind of distracting discussion that has engulfed both teams ahead of this clash, Wenger seems unrelenting in his focus on his team notching three critical points.