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Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger on Leicester, Vardy and Mahrez

By Thomas Atzenhoffer

LONDON, ENGLAND - February 14: Manager Arsene Wenger of Arsenal welcomes manager Claudio Ranieri of Leicester City to The Emirates Stadium ahead of the Premier League match between Arsenal and Leicester City at Emirates Stadium on February 14, 2016 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - February 14: Manager Arsene Wenger of Arsenal welcomes manager Claudio Ranieri of Leicester City to The Emirates Stadium ahead of the Premier League match between Arsenal and Leicester City at Emirates Stadium on February 14, 2016 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images) /
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Arsenal and Leicester City are both fresh off opening weekend loses and Gunners’ manager Arsene Wenger had some choice words about Foxes’ Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez.

It was well known that Arsenal were chasing the signatures of both Leicester striker Jamie Vardy and star Algerian international midfielder Riyad Mahrez over the summer.

I don’t think he has something special against us

However, Vardy opted to sign a new contract at Leicester in late July, while Mahrez just signed his new deal to remain with the English Champions within the last 24 hours.

Speaking to the press and Arsenal’s official website ahead of this weekends matchup, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger had several things to say about both of his failed transfer targets.

LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 14 : Jamie Vardy of Leicester City scores a penalty goal to make it 0 -1 during the Barclays Premier League match between Arsenal and Leicester City at the Emirates Stadium on February 14, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 14 : Jamie Vardy of Leicester City scores a penalty goal to make it 0 -1 during the Barclays Premier League match between Arsenal and Leicester City at the Emirates Stadium on February 14, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images) /

In response to the question as to what it means if Vardy hits the back of the net against the Gunners:

"I don’t know. I don’t think he has something special against us, I don’t see why he would."

Following a campaign where Leicester out shown everyone and earned a massively unprecedented or unexpected title, Wenger was grilled on if Leicester will be a different side to match up against this year:

"The challenge will be exactly the same. They have the exactly the same qualities they had last year and they are team who are very quick on the break and defend well as a unit."

Additionally Wenger knows that Leicester are also fresh off an opening day defeat where they were found out more than they had hoped by their opponent on opening day:

"We have to address our defensive weaknesses from last week without compromising our style of play. We need to continue being very dangerous going forward and accept the way we play."

The last major question of the afternoon centered around highly sought after Arsenal target Riyad Mahrez.

LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 14: Riyad Mahrez of Leicester City shields the ball from Francis Coquelin of Arsenal during the Barclays Premier League match between Arsenal and Leicester City at Emirates Stadium on February 14, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 14: Riyad Mahrez of Leicester City shields the ball from Francis Coquelin of Arsenal during the Barclays Premier League match between Arsenal and Leicester City at Emirates Stadium on February 14, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images) /

Having just announced his decision to remain with Leicester and follow the example of Wes Morgan and Jamie Vardy, Mahrez is effectively off Arsenal’s radar but it did not stop Wenger from being asked about the Algerian:

"He has been outstanding. If you look at his numbers, certainly he was in the top three in the league last year. If you consider the number of goals and assists he had, he had the best combination in the league."

Sorry Wenger, but Mahrez is staying with the Foxes and he will be looking to get off the mark again after his season opening converted penalty against Hull City.

Related Story: Mahrez commits future to Leicester City

It is certain to be an interesting matchup this weekend as Leicester have to prove they are more of a unit this week following their dismantling at the hands of promoted Hull City.

Arsenal likewise have to show character and respond after a frustrating 3-4 home opening loss to fellow top four hopefuls Liverpool.

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