Premier League – Managers: Wenger calm on RVP

Arsenal 2-1 Sunderland
Arsene Wenger: “The ideal situation is that (Robin van Persie) extends his contract and if he doesn’t you have to respect that. What is important is he plays how he plays. We are all eager to see special football players and he is a special football player. For me commitment is (giving your best) as long as you are at the club, not how long you are at the club. If you give absolutely 100% until the last day of your contract, that is what I call commitment. For me it is not commitment to have a long contract. He knows that we are ready to talk about it (a new contract), but the most important thing is what you do on the pitch and how much you are committed to the cause as long as you are at the club.”

Steve Bruce: “It was an awful start, but (Sebastian) Larsson got us back in the game with a wonder goal. The big turning point for me was Lee (Cattermole‘s) miss just before half-time. It’s a great save, but I would be disappointed if I had missed from that range.”
Newcastle 2-2 Tottenham
Alan Pardew: “After an international break the subs are important because people have had long international trips. There were times today where that told and both teams gave the ball away more cheaply than we would have liked. Both sets of subs did make an impact although it doesn’t always happen like that. It just goes to show that the squad is very important. We have got a good spirit.”
Harry Redknapp: “(Jermain Defoe) showed what he can do when he came on – it was a great finish. It is a difficult one really because I have got him and Rafa (van der Vaart) and it is a decision I have to make, really, as to who plays. They are both in good form.   But I didn’t think Rafa looked sharp today. He looked tired, maybe from being away playing for his country. He wasn’t as sharp as he normally he is.  He scored the penalty and then I just decided that Jermain might just give us a little bit more sharpness and he did. I suppose he has got a chance to stake a claim for an England place but I honestly don’t think about that. If he keeps scoring goals for us I will be delighted.”
West Brom 2-0 Wolves
Roy Hodgson: “It will give Peter (Odemwingie) a big lift. He was terrific when he came on. I was preparing for the game with Somen (Tchoyi) because I didn’t think Peter was going to be fully fit and that turned out to be the right decision. I can’t imagine for a minute that Wolves would want to sack Mick McCarthy, he’s done a terrific job. If my team played as well as his today and lost, I think I’d be getting a pat on the back and people telling me to keep my head up.”
Mick McCarthy: “(Paul) Scharner had something on his T-shirt and showed it to the lads over the other side (of the pitch). There is no need for it and maybe that upset the lads. You can lose but you don’t need your nose rubbing in it. If there were words said (between the players), it would have been because of that. He lifted up his shirt, there is no need for it. It’s when you get responses. Take the mickey with the ball, that’s the game. I get the hump with it.”

Eurosport