Wenger airs ‘guilt’ over Leicester title triumph

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has confirmed that defender Gabriel Paulista will be out for up to two months with an ankle injury.

The 24-year-old England worldwide has struggled for continuity over the past few seasons while dealing with a series of ankle, foot and leg problems but feels the penny has now dropped on how he can get himself to full fitness and stay away from the issues that have impacted his Gunners career.

Wenger hasn’t delivered a Premier League title since 2004 and towards the end of last season the Gunners ran out of steam with all of their rivals struggling, letting in Leicester City to win the title and Arsenal finished second.

“But even then we brought in Rob Holding, who has done great in pre-season, and we have got another young centre-back in Calum Chambers. Nobody”, Wenger told Sky Sports today. He’s come under tremendous pressure from fans over the past few seasons in light of the club’s failure to produce another league championship in more than a decade, and the fact that a scrappy outfit like Leicester were able to barnstorm their way to a title did nothing but amplify that criticism.

He said: “I think they’ll finish in the top four, but between now and start of the season they need to recruit”.

“Deals now are so complicated between clubs, agents and players, and I’m sure Arsene Wenger and Steve Rowley the chief scout are working really hard to get some new bodies through the door. What I will do after will depend a little bit on how the season goes”, Wenger said. “City and United and Liverpool will be stronger, while Tottenham will be disappointed with third placed finish so they’ll be stronger again”.

Philippe Coutinho looked to be in good shape as Liverpool continued their preparations for their Premier League opener against Arsenal this weekend.

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Wenger’s potentially final season with Arsenal kicks off on Sunday when the Gunners host Liverpool.

He just keeps going each year.

He said, “I was not available and Sam Allardyce has signed for two years, so the question is not of any actuality at the moment”.