Saturday, October 5, 2024

Wenger: We have the opportunity to rotate

Arsene Wenger says he is pleased with his centre-back options now that Thomas Vermaelen is back from injury.

For the first time in living memory Arsenal have six possible candidates to choose from in the heart of defence with Per Mertesacker, Laurent Koscielny, Johan Djourou, Sebastien Squillaci and youngster Ignasi Miquel all also challenging for playing time.

It remains to be seen which pair Wenger selects for this weekend’s clash with West Bromwich Albion, although with the Belgian possessing a left-foot capable of kicking the ball it appears the boss will pair him with either Mertesacker or the ever-improving Koscielny.

Speaking to Arsenal Player, Wenger gleefully hit back at people who suggested Arsenal should have recruited another defender during the summer: “People wanted us to buy a centre-back so much and then suddenly you realise we have plenty.”

Reflecting on the opportunity to rotate players as the season progresses, he continued:

“The balance is vital. In fairness though, I must say that all the three can play with each other. Koscielny and Vermaelen can play together and Mertesacker can play with Vermaelen and Koscielny.

“It gives us a bit of an opportunity to rotate a bit when needed and people are tired.

“Ideally, Vermaelen will play on the left [of the centre-back pair]. But Koscielny can play on the left as well so we have a good potential and balance there. I think that all the three can play at any moment, and we still have Djourou and Squillaci as well.

Arseblog News can’t help but think Arsene may be playing mind games with future opponents, especially as Vermaelen is pictured above playing on the right of Squillaci in training…

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Andrew

Squillaci looks like he’s improved!

Eric Irish gunner

Fucking hope so

Sabrina

Remember last year when we had only Squillaci and Koscielny? hahaha sigh Now we have so many!

TenaciousDee

Ouch, baby… very ouch.

Poor old Squillaci.

Scribblers

Or Squishy as i’ll always “affectionately” know him.

An we where all so happy when Silvestre left.

Master Bates

“The balance is vital. In fairness though, I must say that all the three can play with each other. …”

THREE ? I guess Wenger finally decided to shift Djourou to RB and shoot squillaci .

Sabrina

No one has to be shot! Just send him to a farm where he can run and frolic like he did Almunia.

edyk

Pretty sure he didnt decide to shoot squillaci, oh wait you were making a joke.

paddymac

“I will not kill Sebastein Squillaci” *evil laugh*

dcgooner

“People wanted us to buy a centre-back so much and then suddenly you realise we have plenty.”

…. and you did buy a center-back. Mertesacker.

Arsene Wenger

No, I traded Denilson for some magic beans, which subsequently grew into a German international. Pat was suprised.

Autumn lovin

At least we can play Park up front when RVP is not fit. He played a blinder on Tuesday night. Can’t wait for him to lead the line in the Carling Cup v Man City.

edyk

Was that meant to be funny?

Nedox

Erm..is Squillaci supposed to be the red inanimate object? Hmm..ddnt know he was that beautiful! Lol…

paddymac

Great to have fit centre backs and competition for places, if only for the fact that everyone stops talking bout Gary fucking Cahill!

paddymac

…and Chris cunting Samba!

Nep Gooner

I’d prefer Verminator and Koschielny….

Arsene Wenger

That’d give us Vermaelen at 6,0 and Kos and 6,1. Although, the height of our players varies according to source, I’ve heard Vermaelen given another four inches and Laurent called 6,3.

I think for most ball playing teams, those two will be our strongest line up, there’s enough height in the side to deal with most high ball into the box these days, and of course SCSZ makes a big difference.

Suppose Mertersaker will be strongest for us against the hoofball teams and in Europe.

Scribblers

Woops, the previous arn’t le boss’ actual thoughts incase your wondering. Although the bit about the beans, he told me himself, it happened.

ScotchEggsRule

— I’ve heard Vermaelen given another four inches—

*chortle*

Fatgooner

Can anyone help me? I just don’t get something.

During the summer we sent Nicholas Bendtner away on loan and then replaced him with Park. But Park makes Bendtner look like Lionel Messi, doesn’t he? Wasn’t the idea supposed to be that we would buy players to make us better up front?

I just don’t get it.

Vieraooaaoo

We’ve only seen park a couple times. It’s too early to write him off. His goal in the Carling Cup was a pure class finish. He definitely has potential to be a good player for us.

Jeth

Park had very little service on Tues in the CL, but made some decent little runs. Too early to judge him.

Scribblers

He’s not a lone striker, needs to play off someone, or at least get some damn balls to his feet where he can play.

Eric Irish gunner

Bendtner taught he was fucking messi and said he wanted to go

Vox in Oz

give Park sometime, we’re pretty quick to write someone off these days… Kosy’s coming through, we weren’t sayin that twelve months ago. Like Scribblers said, he needs the ball at his feet, I dont remember him receiving a pass outside the centre circle??

TexasGooner6

Wenger should be rotating on a consistent basis. Get Park some time and rest RVP. Let’s see Benayoun and Coquelin and Frimpong more often. Ferguson rotates heavily in the first half of the season and I think that is what leads to his team closing strongly. Our team tends to fade in the back half of the season.

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