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Wenger - My approach to squad building

Hector Bellerin
Hector Bellerin

Arsene Wenger says a successful squad must include a blend of youth and experience.

Hector Bellerin and Calum Chambers are the latest in a long line of young players to establish themselves in Arsenal's first-team squad since the Frenchman took charge in 1996.

Wenger feels it is important to give promising players an opportunity and said you should be able to build a team both for the future and the present.

"You want to do both," he said. "Yes of course it is possible. We signed players like Sanchez and Ozil, 25 and 26, and that is a good age to perform now.

"We have as well players like Bellerin and Chambers who are 20. So we have both. The financial potential should allow you to combine both.

"Look, what's important is that we give a chance to the young players. We want to maintain that.

"For years you could say to me: "you have no choice you have to play them" - but we want to maintain that. It's part of the DNA of the club to give a chance to young players.

"When all your main players get close to 30, you can’t buy a 30 year old player. You have to buy a player who is 22 or 23, because if you buy another player of 30 they all [finish their careers] together."

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