Arsene Wenger gave his latest pre-match press conference at London Colney yesterday, addressing the upcoming fixture at Old Trafford as well as transfer speculation around the club. Owen Coyle had spoken beforehand regarding an approach for Gary Cahill:

“There was a conversation between (Bolton chairman) Phil Gartside and a representative of Arsenal. I’m only passing this on as a third-party, but the word derisory doesn’t even cover it.When I make an offer for a player, I’d like to think in the right ball park, but this wasn’t even close. I spoke to Gary Cahill about it before the Macclesfield game, and he knows everything that’s going on.”

We learnt that there are doubts about the fitness of Koscielny as well as Vermaelen and that Bendtner, Gibbs and Squillaci are sidelined for the Manchester United match this Sunday; there is also no work permit for Joel Campbell. This is a transcript of the first half on the press conference which can be watched on Arsenal Player.

On the allegation that only £6 million was offered for Gary Cahill: “First of all I would like to say that number is wrong. [Is it less?: (laughter) You know me quite well!] No, it is completely wrong, it has nothing to do with how much we rate a player. I believe when there are negotiations between two parties you only need to sell the player if you are alright with the price – in this case the information is below what we are speaking about. The truth is we never speak about our negotiations: if I came out it would never finish. I believe that if a club does not want to sell a player it can keep him.”

On whether or not Arsenal want Cahill: “Again I will not want to speak about any individual case because it’s not fair and I never did it before. When we sign a player we come out here and I tell you when we signed him and we keep the transfer price secret.”

On Owen Coyle labelling Arsenal’s bid as “derisory”: “But if they do not need to sell the player they can keep him! Why do they feel, if you ask if I want to buy your house and you’re not happy with the price you say ‘No, that’s it’, why should you feel insulte. I don’t understand that now we have to make offers that people are not insulted by – I don’t understand where you come from. The player, if he’s not for sale, they can keep him; if he’s for sale I can only set the price we want, I don’t understand the problem.”

On Arsenal not being happy with Barca’s first offers for Fabregas: “As long as we were not happy we did not sell the player, but we never come out and feel insulted. It’s more the way they turn the head of the players that can sometimes be destabilising – i’ve never spoken to any player. Never spoken to a player nor to the agent so I do not know what the problem is. They do not want to sell a player, they keep him.”

On whether or not there is transfer money available: “Look, if you want to buy a player, we buy the player. I do not have to explain to you for how much and how long and what we do.”

On the chance that no more signings will be made this summer: “There is a chance because it’s a game, we are dependant on the desire of people who have the players to sell the players.”

On his confidence in his current squad to challenge for the league: “I’m very confident. If I read you or listen to you I have not any reason to be but I am very confident.”

On United’s current squad compared to Arsenal’s: “They were quite good against Tottenham in the last game and they’ve started stronger than usual. On the style of their play I feel they already look physical and already look fit so it will be an interesting confrontation on Sunday because we feel physically strong as well and overall I hope you will not be disappointed by the quality of the game. We go there of course to give absolutely everything.”

On United having an even younger team than Arsenal:“It’s possible yes, they’ve regenerated quite well compared to last year but there is still some good experienced players on the pitch last Sunday, for example when they made their changes they had still Berbatov and Giggs coming on – Carrick and Park, I would not be surprised if all these players start against us.”