Wenger defends changes

30 December 2010 09:30
Arsene Wenger insisted his decision to make eight changes was not a gamble that backfired despite Arsenal letting 10-man Wigan off the hook. The Gunners were leading 2-1, with Charles N'Zogbia having been red-carded for headbutting Jack Wilshere, only for the home side to level thanks to an own goal by Sebastian Squillaci. Wenger insisted however that he had no option but to rest many of those players from Monday's 3-1 win over Chelsea. The Arsenal manager said: "I had to change the team - with all these matches we cannot play always with the same team - but I don't think that was a problem at all. "We had a disadvantage that Manchester United has not got - Wigan played three days ago and we played 48 hours ago, a big game in the evening. "It is a point and we will see at the end of the season how important it is - last night Man U played 1-1 at Birmingham and we played 2-2 in this game. I don't think it's a shame - overall the draw was all right. Wigan had chances as well."

Source: PA