Arsene Wenger... manager has assembled 'massive' squad
Wenger - Injuries took their toll last term
By Declan Taylor
Although he describes his squad as “massive”, Arsène Wenger believes injuries took their toll during the big games last season.
Arsenal seem to have put their double Semi-Final disappointment firmly behind them with an explosive start to this campaign.
On Saturday, Portsmouth became the third side to be swept aside by the Gunners in 2009/10. Wenger’s men put four past the South-coast club to take their goal tally to 12 in three games.
But, according to the manager, his side are still not at full strength.
"Today you had Philippe Senderos, Johan Djourou, Mikael Silvestre not even on the bench,” the manager explained.
“Jack Wilshere not involved. Sami Nasri, Tomas Rosicky, Carlos Vela. When you put all that together, it is a massive squad.
"When I give a list of the 18 players, I see how many I have to leave out.”
Wenger’s squad was stretched to the limit towards the end of last season and the Gunners eventually paid the price in the last-four of the FA Cup and Champions League.
But the manager believes that these injuries are often overlooked by the side’s critics.
"People forget that at the end of the season in big games, we did not have William Gallas, we did not have Gael Clichy, no Eduardo, nor Tomas Rosicky,’ Wenger said.
"You miss these important players.
"In the big games, if Eduardo can come on, you always have the hope he can score goals.”
[Monday, August 24, 2009]
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