Wenger promises changes
30 Sep 2008 - 08:13:56
Arsene Wenger has promised that he will make changes to his Arsenal team for Tuesday's Champions League encounter against 2004 winners FC Porto following the shock home defeat to Hull City at the weekend.
Samir Nasri has returned to the Gunners squad after recovering from a knee problem but Wenger insists any changes that are made to his starting line-up cannot be viewed as punishment for Saturday's display.
"Sometimes you make changes because you consider the other team, you consider the balance of your team, sometimes because one player is not at his best," insisted Wenger.
"If a player or two do not play against Porto it is not a punishment, it is just because of rotation in the side. You cannot play every single game with the same 11 players.
"I believe the goal we conceded on Saturday where we are less guilty is the corner because it was a well-taken chance. (Daniel) Cousin is very tall and very good in the air. It was a perfect header and that can happen to anybody.
"You gain experience through the games. At the back is where we have experience because you cannot say with Clichy and Sagna and Kolo (Toure) and Gallas that we lack experience. Will Kolo play in midfield? No, not at all.
"As for Vela, it's difficult to go into any individual case. I believe Carlos Vela is a player of the squad and the whole squad will be used over the season.
"You cannot go from one team to the other and change 11 players because we just lost one game.
"I believe what is happening is that players have shown quality behind the first team and that is very interesting for the future of the club."