Arsenal New Boy Sead Kolasinac Discusses His First Experience of Playing at Emirates Stadium

Arsenal opened their summer transfer window activity with the signing of Sead Kolasinac on a free transfer from Schalke.

The left-back impressed boss Arsene Wenger with his performances in the Gunners' pre-season campaign thus far; the latest display came at the Emirates Stadium against Benfica on Saturday and Kolasinac spoke about his first appearance in front of the Arsenal faithful.

“It was a really nice feeling, my first time here,” Kolasinac told Arsenal Player. 

“I was a bit nervous before because it was my first game here at Emirates Stadium. I’m happy that we won the game and that the fans welcomed me so well.

“[For the first goal] Alex played me the ball out wide and I thought it would go out, so I followed it up, won it and saw Theo in the background. I chipped it over to him and he finished it ice-cold.

“I think we combined really well going forward. We don’t all know each other so well yet and we’ll still need to get to get more used to each other but today we saw lots of good combinations, particularly when we went forward.”

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Wenger also commented on Kolasinac's promising pre-season campaign, thus far:

"Every single week he moved his level up and he was influential against Benfica.

"Kolasinac looks powerful and the timing of his availability looks very good."

Looming over Arsenal's fast approaching 2017/18 campaign is the uncertain future of the talismanic Alex Sanchez. However, Wenger moved to assure Arsenal fans that their star man will remain at the Emirates next season.

"Alexis has flu. I had a text yesterday. He will come back as soon as possible," Wenger said.

"There is no development [on his future] - he is staying, of course".

Wenger's side is set to open their competitive campaign against Chelsea in the FA Community Shield.