Stop Suarez, Sturridge: Wenger

ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger believes Liverpool duo Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge are among the best strikers in the Premier League. Speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of today’s top of the table clash against the Reds, Wenger said: “Suarez and Sturridge are among the top strikers in the league.

“[Olivier] Giroud has been exceptional since the start of the season and has a different style to Suarez.”
The Frenchman confirmed that the Gunners will be without Mathieu Flamini at the Emirates, with the former AC Milan midfielder also set to miss the midweek Champions League clash with Borussia Dortmund. He could be back for next weekend’s game against Manchester United.

Mikel Arteta is suspended after being sent off against Crystal Palace last week and youngster Serge Gnabry will miss the game through injury.

Wenger added: “There are four or five teams who could win the title. I learnt a lot about my team during the spring, I know how much we want it.”

Arsenal face an away trip to Dortmund next week, followed by a difficult game against champions Manchester United at Old Trafford. But Wenger believes his team can cope.

He said: “I have complete confidence that we will deal well with this period, the players will be up for it.
“We had a difficult period at the Emirates last season, it’s up to us to get the crowd on our side.

“We have a good away record in recent years and we suffered at home, Liverpool is an example of that.”
Meanwhile, Premier League giants Chelsea announced on Thursday that they have signed 18-year-old Burkinabe midfielder Bertrand Traore on a four-year contract.

The Burkina Faso international, who arrives from Association Jeunes Espoirs De Bobo-Dioulasso, spent time on trial with Chelsea during their close-season tour of Asia this year, notably scoring against Malaysia and Indonesia.

“Chelsea Football Club is delighted to announce an agreement to sign Bertrand Traore,” said a statement on the Chelsea website.
“The 18-year-old has agreed a four-and-a-half year contract.”

Traore made his Burkina Faso debut shortly before his 16th birthday in September 2011. He has made 10 international appearances,-Sportsmail.