Arsenal vs. Basel: Arsene Wenger's Key Pre-Match Press Conference Comments

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger declined to comment on the Football Association's investigation of Sam Allardyce but hopes the England boss is able to clear his name, and he also revealed he is firmly against third-party ownership of players in football.The Evening Standard's James Olley attended his press conference on Tuesday ahead of Wednesday's UEFA Champions League match with Basel and shared his comments:According to the Daily Telegraph, Allardyce was filmed holding a meeting with undercover journalists posing as businessmen, in which he allegedly told them how to get around the FA's rules on third-party ownership.On the upcoming game, Wenger revealed he is familiar with Arsenal's opponents after buying Mohamed Elneny from them in January, per Goal.com's Chris Wheatley:As Wenger alluded to, the game will also see Granit Xhaka face his brother,Taulant Xhaka.The pair were pitted against each other during UEFA Euro 2016, with the Arsenal player starring for Switzerland and his brother turning out for Albania.The Swiss won 1-0, so the manager will be hoping his charge is on the winning side once more.The Frenchman also gave the latest update on Francis Coquelin after he was forced off during the Gunners' 3-0 victory over Chelsea on Saturday, per Arsenal:According to Wheatley, Wenger gave a time frame of up to three weeks for the midfielder's recovery.Olivier Giroud's red card in Arsenal's last Champions League match ensures he won't be taking part on Wednesday, but he might also miss out on Sunday's trip to Burnley, according to ESPN FC's Mattias Karen:In his stead, Theo Walcott will be among those hoping to fire Arsenal to three points. He was at the conference alongside Wenger and reflected on his impressive form:The England forward has notched three goals and an assist in the Premier League so far this season.As well as being more clinical in front of goal, he's also been working hard to help the team out defensively, per WhoScored.com:The 27-year-old has the opportunity to put on another show on Wednesday against a team that Arsenal should be expecting to beat, particularly at home.The Gunners drew their opening match away at Paris Saint-Germaina positive result in what should be their most difficult group gamebut if they have ambitions of winning their group, they need to collect three points.If Walcott plays as he has done throughout the season so far, they have an excellent chance of doing so.
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