TONY PULIS

in his own words . . .

It’s a big game for Kieran Gibbs against his old club...

I’ll have a chat with him. He left Arsenal with great memories and he won trophies. That’ll be great to look back on but it’s important to look forward. I will say to him it’s about what he can do here.

How has he played so far?

He’s only 27, so he’s got a lot left in the tank. He’s been very good around the dressing room, he’s got that little bounce about him which people tend to from his area (south London).

Why can’t you win at Arsenal?

I’ve got a fantastic record against them when they’ve come to clubs I’ve managed. But it’s chalk and cheese at their place. I don’t know why. We nearly got a result last season but Giroud scored late on.

Will you play a high pressing game?

There are teams that bypass you by kicking balls forward or playing through you, so it’s not good to rush forward or they’ll pick you off. We’ve got a player, Grzegorz Krychowiak, who has the legs to play in a two or three in midfield, to go box-to-box or sit in.

Glad Wenger stayed on?

He’s remarkable. He will go down in history as one of the great managers at that club.

Will you fuss over Barry breaking Giggs’s record?

He’d prefer it wasn’t mentioned! He had to do a lot of media. I don’t think he wanted to! I don’t think his record will be broken, not for many years at least.