• Arsenal manager was in Paris hotel when terrorists struck • ‘Everybody who was in Paris on Friday night was in shock’

Arsène Wenger has praised the way football has united behind his “tolerant and generous country” following the terror attacks across Paris on Friday.

Wenger was in the city when it was hit by a series of attacks, including three suicide bombers detonating vests outside the Stade de France, where the national team were playing Germany. He had been set to attend the match but a last-minute change of plans meant he watched the game on television from his hotel.

Paris attacks: fresh raids in Brussels linked to Stade de France suicide bomber – live Read more

Wenger was at Wembley on Tuesday night when England hosted France and was seen on TV singing La Marseillaise as the two nations united in a show of solidarity.

Talking in the buildup to Arsenal’s Premier League match against West Bromwich Albion on Saturday, he said: “I was late for my appointment, so I was late to the stadium and I decided to watch the game in the hotel where I was. I was more under shock than fearful.

“You could be scared because it was four different places attacked. You don’t feel secure anywhere. Everybody who was in Paris on Friday night was in shock. France is like England – a tolerant and generous country. We now have a bit more of a question of security, because it looks like it’s not the end of it.”

Wenger added: “A way for us is just to get on with life and to respond in a positive way to the situation. We cannot stop everything, we must try to continue with our lives. It is more a way of life that is being targeted than any individual community.”

Wenger praised the way football had united behind his country, as England fans joined in with the singing of the French anthem at Wembley.

“It is a nice gesture of solidarity,” he said. “It is not an obvious one for the fans – just like it would not be an obvious one for fans in France to sing God Save the Queen – so symbolically it is a very nice gesture. It was fantastic for France and it showed the class of England to see the arch of Wembley in French colours.

Domestic football returns amid high security after Paris attacks Read more

“I would like to thank the English community and English football who have shown great solidarity. It was a huge shock for our country and our football. You always think after this kind of event, do you continue to play or do you stop your life? For me they made the right decision and the event on Tuesday night has shown it was the right decision. The football world has responded the way you want it to respond in a big union and togetherness.”

Wenger expressed concerns that the terror attacks could “create some tensions which could damage a tolerant and multicultural society”.

There has already been debate about whether the Euro 2016 tournament in France should go ahead as planned next summer. Wenger said: “I feel the country can provide. One of the good things out of what happened now is that the security level will be raised and maybe the Euro 2016 will be more secure.”

It has also been revealed that the Premier League is considering playing the French national anthem before all matches this weekend as a mark of respect for those affected by the terror attacks on Paris. The Premier League is also expected to detail any new security measures that fans can expect at matches.