Intro:

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger spoke on Monday (22nd September) ahead of his side's midweek English League Cup third round clash against Southampton.

Script:

SOUNDBITE (English): Arsene Wenger, Arsenal manager (on Southampton's strong start to the league season):

"It is a... There are miracle workers in Southampton. You must say everybody expected them to collapse when they lost the spine of their team, they lost their manager. And they bounce back in such a way. I must say, when I saw them against Liverpool, where they lost the game, I thought straightaway - 'Oh, this team is very strong and very good.'"

SOUNDBITE (English): Arsene Wenger, Arsenal manager (on Southampton's academy):

"I think if you look at the talents they have sold over the years, they could have been a contender for - to win the Premier League, because they lost Chamberlain (Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain), (Theo) Walcott, Gareth Bale, plus all the players they lost last season, plus all the players they still have, you know? They've done a fantastic job at Southampton. They deserve a lot of credit."