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Arsene Wenger: No plans to increase Arsenal team security before FA Cup Final in wake of Manchester attack

Arsene Wenger: No plans to increase Arsenal team security before FA Cup Final in wake of Manchester attack

Arsene Wenger today confirmed Arsenal have no plans to increase team security ahead of the FA Cup Final in the wake of the terror attack in Manchester.

A review of security is underway at Wembley ahead of Saturday’s final between the Gunners and Chelsea following Monday’s suicide bombing at the Manchester Arena, which left 22 people dead and 59 injured.

Arsenal have been on high alert all season, conducting additional security checks at Emirates Stadium and the club’s London Colney training base, and are understood to be in regular dialogue with counter-terrorism officials and police to ensure the club has an appropriate level of protection.

Standard Sport understands the club have suspended stadium tours today and will review the situation on a daily basis.

Planning meetings are taking place regarding a supporters’ screening of the Final at Emirates Stadium and a possible parade should Arsenal beat Chelsea but in terms of specific security around the team, the Gunners already consider themselves to be on an appropriate state of readiness.

"We will have our usual security," said Wenger. "We are in the middle of it on the day of the game and the day before a game, so usually when you are involved in the competition you don’t really realise what’s happening all around.

"We live a little bit in our own bubble so we are a bit isolated from that. You of course want the best level of security.

"I’m French and we’ve lived in an emergency state in France for a long time now. What the police is doing isn’t usually visible, but of course you want the best level of security.

"You want people to go to enjoy life, but then you have people dying at concerts. It’s absolutely unacceptable and really sad. I was in Paris on the night when it happened on November 13, 2015.

"It’s a huge shock and our solidarity and compassion is completely total with the city of Manchester."