Pruning a wisteria

We have just removed a fence on which a wisteria grew. I now want to put in an arch to grow the wisteria over. Can i cut the many new shoots back without harming the wisteria.

 

I dont have a wisteria anymore I planted it in the wrong place and the flowers hung down so far you couldn't walk under it, pity.
Anyway, I always used to cut off the long summer shoots to 2-3 buds in august, that is if you dont want them for extension growth.
It does no harm and keeps it under control, and I think helps to produce flowering growth.
I wouldn't cut into any growth that is older though ie. brown wood from last year, do that in the winter if you need to.