• Premier League

Wenger plays down new Arsenal deal talk

ESPN staff
September 13, 2012
Arsene Wenger remains committed to Arsenal © PA Photos
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Arsene Wenger has cooled talk of a new deal being on the horizon at Arsenal by insisting he has not held talks over his future.

The Frenchman woke up on Thursday morning to glowing praise from Gunners chief executive Ivan Gazidis who said: "I feel he can keep going for a long time. He's in fantastic shape and he's as driven as he's ever been and excited as ever."

This was interpreted as a new deal being imminent, but Wenger, who has two years remaining on his present commitment, has moved to play down such talk.

"I'm an Arsenal man and I have always shown that," Wenger said at a press conference on Thursday. "Two years is a long time in my job. My target is to do as well as I can for this Club. How long will it last? I don't know. We have potential.

"In the past I have shown my commitment to this club and at the moment I am not in the mood to think about the long-term future as we want to do well this season."

When asked directly if talks had taken place about a new deal, Wenger replied: "No."

Wenger's focus is on this weekend's game with Southampton and he claims Abou Diaby, who picked up an injury on international duty with France, will be assessed on Friday.

Keeper Wojciech Szczesny is fit for the game, but Bacary Sagna is still three weeks away from full fitness.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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