Arsenal vs. Liverpool: Arsene Wenger's Key Pre-Match Press Conference Quotes

Arsene Wenger has said his Arsenal squad is "too big" and that he is only specifically targeting another centre-back this summer. 

Ahead of Arsenal's game against Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, the Frenchman opened up on the Gunners' pursuit of new players this summer, per the Daily Mirror's Frank Smith: "I don’t count in numbers because numberswise we have too big a squad. I am looking at no other areas apart from centre-back, it’s about quality."

The Frenchman would not elaborate on whether the centre-back in question is Valencia's Shkodran Mustafi, per football journalist Miguel Delaney:

Targeting only a centre-back is unlikely to please many Gunners fans, with the team clearly in need of a new centre-forward as well. The Daily Mirror's Neil McLeman reported Olympique Lyonnais striker Alexandre Lacazette is an Arsenal target, while L'Equipe (h/t beIN Sports' Matt Spiro) did the same with Leicester City's Riyad Mahrez.

According to ESPN FC's Mattias Karen, Wenger said he is prepared to sign players in other positions if they're the right quality, though:

Wenger also discussed the state of the transfer market this summer, per Delaney: "In England, transfers are high because there is an influx of money. Then you go outside and they're high because you're English. You can still find players of top quality, sometimes, at a reasonable price."

Aside from the captures of Mesut Ozil, Alexis Sanchez and Granit Xhaka, Arsenal have been notoriously reluctant to spend money in recent years, while the likes of Manchester City, Chelsea and Manchester United have brought in numerous marquee players, often resulting in success.

However, Wenger is looking to Premier League champions Leicester City for inspiration:

The Foxes sensationally topped the division after assembling a team that featured the likes of N'Golo Kante, Mahrez and Jamie Vardy, all of whom had been virtually unknown prior to joining for relatively bargain prices.

Delaney believes it might be wise not to buy stock in the event repeating itself, however:

Wenger also gave the latest update on the defensive crisis plaguing the Gunners before the season has even begun, per Smith: "Per Mertesacker is out for four months and Gabriel [Paulista is out for] six to eight weeks, which is a bit better than expected because he doesn’t need surgery. He ruptured his ankle ligament. At the start we thought it could be four months."

According to Karen, the Arsenal boss is left with three options:

Despite summer acquisition Rob Holding joining from Bolton Wanderers, Wenger is unconcerned with his lack of top-flight experience, according to Smith: "He has played in the Championship so that is a good experience, to deal with one level higher."

Further forward, Wenger believes several of his English players have much to prove this season, as shared by the club's Twitter account:

Indeed, Jack Wilshere's fitness this season is crucial—he needs to avoid injury for as much of the campaign as possible if he's to re-establish himself as a key figure in the Gunners midfield.

Meanwhile, Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain did not contribute nearly enough last season from the chances they were given in the team—their futures at the club could well be decided by how they fare this year.

Arsenal suffered a shock defeat at home to West Ham United in their opening game last season, and this year is likely to be an even more difficult game with Liverpool visiting north London, not to mention their situation in defence.

The Gunners were still able to finish second last year, so it'd hardly be a disaster if they do lose on Sunday, but with the Premier League season shaping up to be one of the most competitive yet, it's important Arsenal get off to a good start.