Wenger: Transfer speculation can be harmful

Results

Date	Time	C	Opponent	F	A	R	S
15 Aug	5:30 PM	P	Everton (A)	6	1	Win

Manager Arsène Wenger concedes that transfer speculation can be detrimental to the mental preparation of a team, especially when the media are more often than not, fabricating these stories.

The Frenchman was asked if his side's drubbing of Everton was down to the uncertainty over Blues' defender Joleon Lescott's future. The Frenchman didn't so much as rubbish this line of thought, instead saying that the 6-1 result was achieved because of the high-level of performance from his own team but he admits that he can't say how much of the transfer speculation affected Everton's preparation for the match, and from his own experiences there is a possibility that the performances of certain players would drop.

Wenger said: "You never know how well you will adapt when big players leave, but the most difficult thing is the uncertainty when you don't know.

"When you don't know what's happening behind the scenes it's difficult to say how much Lescott wants to leave.

"I hear he is a true professional, and don't think they lost because of his performance, but of course it's always difficult.

There is currently fantasy speculation surrounding the future of Arsenal captain Francesc Fabregas, with rumours of Italian giants AC Milan and European champions Barcelona tabling bids for the young midfielder.

Wenger says that no such approach has been made but he is powerless to stop the journalists of today writing about anything they want to fill their column inches.

The Frenchman added: "It's difficult to measure how much impact subjective vibes have on the team, but I have let players' feelings come into it, it's happened to me.

"You never know how much is being created by others, how much by City, and we have the same story with Fabregas.

"Barcelona didn't contact us, but it's all over the place and we can't stop that. Speculation is there every day and you have to live with it."

And as a welcome departure from the transfer policies of the past, the 59-year-old has been more upfront and open about some of the transfer targets he is pursuing, as demonstrated by his statements on Marouane Chamakh being overpriced.

Despite reports to the contrary, defender Philippe Senderos is still an Arsenal player and there has been no movement over the potential transfer of Fulham defender Brede Hangeland to the North London club.

Wenger summarised: "There has been no movement on the transfer front. If we buy someone we will tell you."

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