Arsene Wenger Talks Transfers, Chelsea and More in Palace vs. Arsenal Presser

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger denied any links to Sevilla midfielder Grzegorz Krychowiak in his pre-match press conference ahead of Sunday's trip to Crystal Palace while also wading into the controversy surrounding Chelsea doctor Eva Carneiro.

Per Adrian Kajumba in the Mirror, the Frenchman replied "no" when asked if there was any truth in the recent reports linking Krychowiak with the Gunners, effectively ruling out a move for the 25-year-old.

On Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho's criticism of Carneiro and Blues physio Jon Fearn over their on-pitch treatment of Eden Hazard late in Chelsea's 2-2 draw with Swansea City on Saturday, per Sky Sports, Wenger was brief.

The Arsenal boss defended Carneiro and Fearn, indicating they were simply following the rules having been called onto the pitch by referee Michael Oliver, per the Independent's Tom Sheen: "Football is difficult enough without unity. (But) I have not a great interest in what is going on at Chelsea. The rules are quite clear, it is the ref who makes the decision."

The Gunners made a poor start to their Premier League season last Sunday, as they lost 2-0 at home to West Ham United.

Unsurprisingly, talk continues over Wenger making further additions to the squad before the end of the transfer window, though Bleacher Report's Sam Tighe suggests any major moves are unlikely:

However, Wenger admitted in Friday's press conference that the club are still open to making further additions—Petr Cech is Arsenal's only major signing so far this summer—but bemoaned the lack of available options, per the Sunday World's Kevin Palmer:

The Gunners need to bounce back with a victory at Selhurst Park but face a tough challenge against Alan Pardew's Eagles, who opened their season with a 3-1 win over Norwich City last weekend.

Wenger insists his side's belief has not been dented after the opening-day defeat, but the Gunners will need to improve dramatically if they are to win away at Palace, per Arsenal on Twitter:

The manager will have almost a full contingent of players to call upon for the trip across London, with Wenger confirming that right-back Hector Bellerin is available again, while there is also positive news on Jack Wilshere's progress, per Kajumba:

"

Compared to last week's game we haven't lost anybody. Bellerin is back available again and other injuries like [Danny] Welbeck and Wilshere are not back. Welbeck is not close because he has not started full training so I would say at least 3 weeks from today. 

Jack is back in training but I thought at the start it would be 6-8 weeks but it could be 3-4 so that is positive news. 

Alexis [Sanchez] is fit and did good work during the week and is available for selection.

"

If Arsenal don't pick up all three points on Sunday many will begin to question their title credentials, which were well touted ahead of the start of the season, per the Guardian.

While it is still very early in the 2015-16 term, the Gunners cannot afford to lose pace with the likes of Manchester City, Chelsea and Manchester United from the off.

The quality is certainly there, although it was not on display last weekend, and Arsenal need to prove they have the mettle to go with it against Palace.