Source: Team_Talk
Cruise can be top Gunner - Wenger
With safe passage into the knockout stages already secure as group winners, Wenger will not risk the fitness of any more first-team regulars than needed ahead of the crucial Premier League encounter at Liverpool on Sunday.[LNB]The average age of Wednesday's squad is just 20, at that has been raised by the inclusion of 32-year-old veteran defender Mikael Silvestre, while fit-again England forward Theo Walcott and Cameroon midfielder Alex Song, who was suspended for Saturday's Premier League win over Stoke, have also travelled.[LNB]However, it is the inclusion of reserve-team captain Kyle Bartley, set to play at centre-half, as well as 18-year-olds Craig Eastmond, Luke Ayling and Cruise - the left-back who has yet to make an Arsenal first-team appearance of any form, even the Carling Cup - which will have left Wenger open to criticism of perhaps not giving the European fixture the respect it deserves.[LNB]Nevertheless, the Arsenal manager maintains the glamorously named teenager - part of last season's triumphant FA Youth Cup team - is ready for his first-team bow at the Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium.[LNB]Wenger declared: "I do not care about headlines - for me, there is only one Tom Cruise, and it is the one who plays for Arsenal Football Club.[LNB]"I believe he is a very good footballer, but I would not like him to be under too much pressure.[LNB]"If you are in his boots, you would not think for a second that you will play in the Champions League.[LNB]"So it is good for him and the others to get an opportunity in these games."[LNB]Despite the youthful make-up of the squad, plenty of the players have European experience already - like keeper Lukasz Fabianski, Wales international Aaron Ramsey, England Under-21 midfielder Jack Wilshere and Mexico striker Carlos Vela.[LNB]Olympiacos, coached by Brazil legend Zico, are currently unbeaten at the top of the Greek domestic league.[LNB]A draw would be enough to see the Greeks - who lost 2-0 at Emirates Stadium in September - also safely through to the last 16 ahead of Standard Liege.[LNB]As such, the Belgians are sure to have more than an interested eye on Wenger's team selection.[LNB]"I want to respect the competition and I know that Olympiacos plays for a point to qualify, but the most important is that we do well," said the Arsenal manager.[LNB]"We want to have a fair game and good chance to win."[LNB]Wenger added: "We could have a draw as well with a normal team, and that would not be a bad result.[LNB]"What is the most important is the quality of our game.[LNB]"Afterwards, if Standard are in that position [third place], it is because they could not win the games before."[LNB]Wenger has been cautious in his use of Wilshere this season after the combative midfielder became Arsenal's youngest player in both Europe and the Premier League when introduced during the early part of the 2008/2009 campaign.[LNB]The 17-year-old has made just five appearances in total, three as substitute, and Wenger accepts it may now be time for him to go out on loan, with both Scottish giants Celtic and Rangers, as well as Middlesbrough, having expressed an interest.[LNB]"Jack has the quality of a top-level player, but he is still very young to throw in every week in the Premier League," said Wenger.[LNB]"He is impatient to play and he wants to play.[LNB]"We have had a few enquiries, and there is a real need there.[LNB]"However, it is always a sensitive subject to give the players out on loan because you must trust the manager that they will play them - if he goes out on loan and [just] sits on the bench it is better that he stays and practises with us."[LNB][LNB][LNB] Olympiacos 10/11, Draw 9/4, Arsenal 7/2
