Arsenal welcome double defensive boost
Reuters - Monday 31 October 2011, 15:02
Arsenal defenders Thomas Vermaelen and
Carl Jenkinson are fit to play in Tuesday's Champions League
game at home to Olympique Marseille, manager Arsene Wenger said
after the pair made late appearances in the weekend's stunning
5-3 victory over Chelsea.
The Premier League side can secure a place in the last-16
with a Group F victory over their French visitors, whom they
beat 1-0 thanks to a last-gasp winner by Aaron Ramsey in
Marseille two weeks ago.
"They will both be available and in the squad tomorrow,"
Wenger told a news conference on Monday referring to Vermaelen
and Jenkinson, who came on as substitutes in the 88th and 75th
minutes respectively on Saturday.
"Are they fit enough to play? Yes, of course."
Arsenal's leaky defence played a large part in a poor start
to the league season and matters have not been helped by
injuries to the likes of Vermaelen and right back Bacary Sagna
who broke his leg this month.
The Gunners have turned around their fortunes of late,
having climbed to seventh in the Premier League, and are having
no problems down the other end of the pitch where Robin van
Persie is enjoying a hot streak of form.
The Dutchman scored a hat-trick at Stamford Bridge, making
it 28 goals in his last 27 league games, but Wenger was quick to
point out it was not a one-man show.
"He is an exceptional player, who takes advantage as well of
the fact that we are a very offensive team, that the whole team
works very hard for him," the Frenchman said.
Wenger also welcomes back midfielder Yossi Benayoun into his
squad but forward Marouane Chamakh is sidelined with a knee
problem.
Arsenal lead the group with seven points from three games,
one clear of Marseille, but the combination of remaining
fixtures means they will finish in the top two and qualify for
the knockout stage if they win on Tuesday.