Arsenal manager claims 'lethargic' side not ready yet

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger admitted his side was still short of fitness after it lost 1-0 to Monaco in the Emirates Cup friendly tournament.

Having routed Benfica 5-1 on Saturday, Arsenal fell to a solitary Radamel Falcao goal the following day, leaving Wenger to brand its performance "static, lethargic and not convincing at all".

Wenger explained he had removed Olivier Giroud at halftime because the French striker was "not ready at all", and the former Montpellier man was not the only player who appeared fatigued.