Arsenal vs. Swansea: Key Arsene Wenger Comments from Pre-Match Presser
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has confirmed Theo Walcott won't leave the Emirates Stadium this summer, even if he doesn't sign a new contract with the club.
Wenger spoke during his pre-match press conference ahead of Monday's Premier League fixture with Swansea City. Walcott's contract runs out at the end of next season, per Transfermarkt.co.uk, and he has recently been linked with a move to Liverpool, as reported by the Express (h/t Telegraph Sport).
Even with the risk of losing him on a free in the summer of 2016, Wenger isn't willing to let Walcott depart, per James Olley of the London Evening Standard:
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Previous seasons have seen Arsenal cash in on top stars—such as Cesc Fabregas and Robin van Persie—but Wenger is now looking to build, per the club's official Twitter account:
Things are certainly coming together on the pitch, where Arsenal have put together a 10-game Premier League unbeaten streak to contend for second place behind champions Chelsea, per Soccerway.
Just like the previous round of matches, they will be the last to play on Monday so will need to provide a response to Manchester City's result against Queens Park Rangers. Wenger stressed the importance of Arsenal finishing as close as possible to Chelsea, as reported by the club's feed:
He remains optimistic over his side's recent defensive improvements:
City are equal with the Gunners on 70 points, but they will have played two more games by the next time Arsenal head on the pitch. Wenger suggested forward Danny Welbeck will miss the fixture and that Aaron Ramsey—who twisted his ankle during the win over Hull City, per Matt Barlow of the Daily Mail—could also struggle to be fit in time. Olley reported the manager's comments:
Swansea have got back to winning ways with victories over Newcastle United and Stoke City. Garry Monk's men currently reside in eighth position and have secured a club-record points haul in the top division, as reported by BBC Sport.
Although Alexis Sanchez gave Arsenal the lead in November's fixture at the Liberty Stadium, late strikes from Gylfi Sigurdsson and Bafetimbi Gomis provided the Swans with a famous win.
The visitors will play without pressure and shall be looking to assert their normal passing game against Arsenal, whose unpredictable attacking play has made them mightily difficult to pin down in recent weeks.
Wenger should remain confident of a win as Arsenal have shown no signs of letting up on the domestic front.
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