Arsène Wenger believes that Arsenal's win over Wigan demonstrates why he does not need to add to his squad in January. The Frenchman told Arsenal.com on Monday that he would not be in the market for players when the transfer window opens next month. Just 24 hours later Wenger saw his team cruise to a 2-0 win in the Carling Cup Quarter Finals despite making wholesale changes from his last Premier League line-up. As far as the Arsenal manager is concerned, that shows how much quality and depth he already has at his disposal.
"We made nine changes [against Wigan] and we still dont have Abou Diaby and Thomas Vermaelen, who are injured. Manuel Almunia and Sebastien Squillaci too. "Then there are the players we rested like Marouane Chamakh. And Aaron Ramsey will be back in the squad [soon].
"I dont know where to put the players. If you buy a player you have to give them a chance to play. Already we have international players who dont get enough games." Arsène Wenger believes that Arsenal's win over Wigan demonstrates why he does not need to add to his squad in January. The Frenchman told Arsenal.com on Monday that he would not be in the market for players when the transfer window opens next month. Just 24 hours later Wenger saw his team cruise to a 2-0 win in the Carling Cup Quarter Finals despite making wholesale changes from his last Premier League line-up.
As far as the Arsenal manager is concerned, that shows how much quality and depth he already has at his disposal. "We made nine changes [against Wigan] and we still dont have Abou Diaby and Thomas Vermaelen, who are injured. Manuel Almunia and Sebastien Squillaci too. "Then there are the players we rested like Marouane Chamakh. And Aaron Ramsey will be back in the squad [soon].
"I dont know where to put the players. If you buy a player you have to give them a chance to play. Already we have international players who dont get enough games."
Arsenal will face Ipswich Town in the Semi-Finals of the Carling Cup. Ipswich will host the first leg at Portman Road on January 11 or 12 with the return leg at Emirates Stadium on January 25 or 26. West Ham, who beat Manchester United on Tuesday night, will face Birmingham City in the last four of the competition.
arsenal wananyatia hiki kikombe ili kuwapa vijana
winning mentality .... . .... ..
mickey mouse cup is all you can get
Arsene Wenger has urged his young team not to become obsessed by ending their trophy drought with the Carling Cup - and warned more hard work lays ahead before anyone can dream of Wembley glory. The Gunners, fielding a team of some nine changes, moved into the semi-finals with a 2-0 victory over Barclays Premier League strugglers Wigan
at a freezing Emirates Stadium last ... .....
Arsenal wananyatia hiki kikombe ili kuwapa vijana
winning mentality .... . .... ..Arsene Wenger tells his young guns:
Winning the Carling Cup is not that important
SAMIR NASRI bagged a magical double to see Arsenal go top of the table.
With Chelsea drawing at home to Everton and Manchester United's game at Blackpool postponed, a goal in each half from the Frenchman means Arsene Wenger's side have turned up the heat in the title race. Fulham had levelled on 33 minutes through Diomansy Kamara, after Sebastien Squillaci and Laurent Koscielny's clash of heads.
But any fears of the Gunners dropping yet more points at home in the league were extinguished when the in-form Nasri slotted a classy second with 15 minutes to go. Wenger reverted to his first team after Tuesday's Carling Cup quarter-final win over Wigan, naming the same XI who beat Aston Villa. Fulham recalled John Pantsil for Chris Baird and handed a second start to 19-year-old left-back Matthew Briggs. But they could easily have fallen behind inside six minutes when a looping Sebastien Squillaci flick-on from Jack Wilshere's free-kick fell perfectly for Andrey Arshavin
But the Russian saw his close-range volley blocked by Mark Schwarzer. Nasri should have put Arsenal ahead when played in by Arshavin, but he poked wide with the outside of his foot. Minutes later though the Frenchman made amends in spectacular fashion, with Arshavin once again the provider. Nasri sold two sublime dummies before lashing the ball into the top corner. Arsenal started to purr, but were guilty of trying to walk the ball in when Marouane Chamakh went clean through only to lay the ball off and blow another great chance. Arshavin was rampant, another fine run ending when he dug out a shot too close to Schwarzer.
Nasri was also tormenting Briggs and soon Baird was brought on to replace him. And within moments Fulham levelled against the run of play. Squillaci and Laurent Koscielny clashed heads going for the same ball. Clint Dempsey took full advantage, sliding the ball to Kamara to sidefoot home. Koscielny was in a bad way and had to be replaced by Johan Djourou. Both sides should have scored on the stroke of half-time, Chamakh powering a header straight at Schwarzer and Kamara hitting the legs of Lukasz Fabianski after being played in. Tomas Rosicky hooked a 52nd-minute volley wide as Arsenal tried to build some momentum after the restart. Arshavin's dancing feet and near-post drive brought another good stop by Schwarzer.
Dickson Etuhu sent a free header wide from Simon Davies' corner before Arsenal withdrew Rosicky for Robin van Persie. The home fans' frustration grew when Alex Song wasted all his good work outmuscling Pantsil by blazing over the top. Fulham were denied a shock lead in the 70th minute when a corner was deflected to Zoltan Gera, whose header was cleared off the line. And Nasri soon made them pay for the missed opportunity, firing home a glossy second five minutes later. It was a brilliant flowing move that saw Van Persie square for Nasri. The Frenchman still had men to beat but did so with some magical footwork, rounding Schwarzer and slotting home from a tight angle. The visitors proved they were far from beaten when Etuhu dragged narrowly wide minutes later but Chamakh should have killed them off when he sent a shot over on the turn. Arsenal held on though to move to the Premier League's summit.
Arsene Wenger today declared there was even more to come from Samir Nasri after the midfielder's two magical goals sent Arsenal
top of the Barclays Premier League. France star Nasri showed great composure to prevent his side dropping yet more points at the Emirates Stadium as the Gunners beat Fulham 2-1. Both goals - his 10th and 11th of the season - were fit to win any game and manager Wenger was delighted with the midfielder.
'It was a combination of touch, intelligence, special talent and calmness as well,' he said. 'He needed to be patient to finish on both occasions and he did that very well. 'I'm happy because he had a game that was, at the start, only based on coming to the ball. But now he has more variation in his game: turns, runs in behind without the ball, and as well coming to the ball and taking it to his feet.
'So his game is improving and he is, of course, more efficient.'
Nasri has certainly been Arsenal's player of the season and few in the entire Premier League have performed as impressively. 'It's always difficult to compare,' Wenger added. 'But what is important when you are a manager is you want to get the best out of a player and I always was a strong believer in him. 'Many people questioned me when I took him here but he is showing that he is an exceptional talent and I think there is more to come from him.'
Have faith: Arsene Wenger is delighted with
how Nasri's game has improved
Indeed, Nasri has almost scored as many goals already this season than he managed over the course of his first two campaigns with the club. Wenger said: 'He was a bit too much attracted by the ball and we wanted him to do more once off the ball, go in behind without the ball, because we have many players who can keep the ball.' Nasri's near-flawless finishing was in stark contrast to that of his team-mates, who were almost made to pay again for a succession of missed chances. Diomansy Kamara cancelled out the opening goal, while Fulham also had plenty of opportunities to add to their tally against a side who had lost their two previous home league games. Admitting his defence looked 'vulnerable', Wenger insisted Arsenal were good enough to win the title.
'We are good enough to go on, that is for sure,' said Wenger, who revealed Laurent Koscielny had suffered concussion in the sickening clash of heads with team-mate Sebastien Squillaci which led to the Fulham goal. 'As you see, every single team struggles to be consistent. At the moment, we are where we are despite having lost three games. 'Today, you could see again every game is a cup final. And if you're not completely up for it, you don't take the three points.
Something special: Nasri's 11th goal of the season
was arguably his best
'We have the spirit, we have the quality but we face tough opponents. And it will be down, as I have said already many times here, to consistency. We are far from winning the championship yet. 'The only thing I can say: we have the desire and the spirit to fight for it. Will it be good enough? We'll have the answer in May.' Fulham boss Mark Hughes claimed Nasri was the only difference between the sides today. 'Obviously, the boy Nasri has been playing at the top of his form in recent weeks,' said Hughes, who revealed young full-back Matthew Briggs was substituted after taking a knock and being given a torrid time by the Frenchman.
Gulf in class: Matthew Briggs had a tough time of it
dealing with the Frenchman on Saturday
'I think we probably edged it in terms of chances we created and pressure and momentum that we built during the game. 'But, as most top teams have, they have individuals who can win the game for their team when, possibly, the team isn't functioning as well. 'Nasri is an excellent footballer, great feet, and once he gets in those positions in the area it's very difficult to stop him. 'From our point of view, we're happy with the performance. I thought we showed real belief in what we were trying to do today, took the game to Arsenal and caused them problems. 'At the end of the game, the crowd were asking for the final whistle.
Cesc Fabregas and Abou Diaby are back in training but they are unlikely to be fit for the crucial trip to Manchester United on Monday. The Spaniard has been out with a hamstring problem since the defeat at Braga a fortnight ago. Diaby originally picked up his ankle problem during the 4-1 win over Bolton back on September 11. He has started two games since then but completed neither. On Tuesday lunchtime, Wenger was conducting his press conference ahead of the massive match with Partizan Belgrade when the issue of Fabregas cropped up.
"He was out to practise today," said the manager. "In fact he is still out there now. "He has a small chance to play on Monday. That means it is a bit under 50 per cent at the moment. "Diaby is out practising as well with him. He has a very small chance."
ROBIN VAN PERSIE looked ahead to a potential clash with Euro giants Barcelona or Real Madrid and roared: Bring 'em on. Arsenal beat Partizan to finish second in Group H and will now face Barca, Real, Bayern Munich or Schalke in the Champions League last 16. Gunners skipper Van Persie said: "As a football fan I want Barcelona or Real Madrid, but we'll see what the draw will bring. Those are the games you love to be involved in. "We have to believe. Everything starts with belief and if you don't believe, you might as well stop playing football. We do believe we can achieve this year." Van Persie netted his first goal for seven months with a penalty.
Hongera jirani zangu kwa ushindi wa jana na kupata nafasi ya last 16, ila kwa kile nilichokiona jana mjiandae kwa maumivu w'end.