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Wenger - Centre backs have impressed

12/13: Fulham 0-1 Arsenal - Per Mertesacker
Per Mertesacker

Arsene Wenger has praised Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker’s blossoming centre-half partnership.

Arsenal have kept clean sheets in four of the last six games that pair have started together and they were again impressive in the 1-0 victory at Craven Cottage on Saturday.

"We were on a run of good results and good stability and we don’t concede goals at the moment so that’s why I keep them [Mertesacker and Koscielny] together"

Wenger is happy with his defenders’ form but concedes it has been difficult to leave club captain Thomas Vermaelen out of the side.

“They’ve done well, I must say,” he said. “Vermalen had a very good game against Norwich but we were on a run of good results and good stability and we don’t concede goals at the moment so that’s why I keep them [Mertesacker and Koscielny] together.

"It’s a very difficult decision. Thomas is one of the best defenders in England, like the two others. I told them at the start of the season we have three outstanding central defenders.

“It’s about game by game that I make a decision, and it is about partnerships as well.

“He [Vermaelen] has been a substitute for quite a few games and he still plays a big part in the game. Koscielny was a long, long time during the season in that position and that can change very quickly.”