Wenger: Arsenal vs Chelsea never friendly

Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-22 00:13:36|Editor: Zhou Xin
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BEIJING, July 21 (Xinhua) -- The London-based Premier giants Arsenal and Chelsea are to play against each other in Beijing on Saturday, and Arsenal's manager Arsene Wenger told the press briefing here on Friday that the clash with the Blues is never a friendly.

"It's difficult to predict but it's a friendly between Chelsea and Arsenal," Wenger said, "That means it's not really a friendly."

"In fact, we know each other very well and it is difficult to know how prepared Chelsea are and how far we are for the preparation tomorrow. It was a good indication against Bayern, and it will be another test for us tomorrow," Wenger continued.

After surviving the calls for him to leave last year, the 67-year-old has overtaken old enemy Alex Ferguson to become the longest-serving Premier League boss. When asked whether he will leave Emirates Stadium if his side finish the next season without any title, the Frenchman firmly said "no".

For the rumours that Chilean international Alexis Sanchez will leave Arsenal this summer, Wenger insisted that the attacker is not for sale.

"He played in the Confederations Cup and is on holiday, and this is the reason why he hadn't made the journey to China," Wenger said. He also confirmed that Walcott may not play in Saturday's match, but said the problem was "nothing major".

The Gunners will play two fixtures in the Emirates Cup next weekend before facing Chelsea again in the FA Community Shield ahead of the season opener against Leicester on Aug. 12.

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