Wenger still backing Aliadiere
25 Oct 2006 - 12:16:18
Arsene Wenger has urged Jeremie Aliadiere to make the most of his latest chance in Arsenal's first team.
The Gunners coaching staff had high hopes for the French striker when he first burst into the senior team in 2001, but a succession of injury problems have hampered his development.
Aliadiere, 23, was expected to leave Arsenal after disappointing loan spells at Celtic, West Ham and Wolves last season, but Wenger still believes he can make it at the top level.
He went someway towards repaying that faith with both goals in Tuesday's 2-0 Carling Cup victory at West Brom and the manager is keen to see whether he can take advantage of Emmanuel Adebayor's groin injury to establish himself in the first team.
Wenger said: "Jeremie has had consistent problems with injury. Every time he got close to the first team he got another one.
"This is the first time since I have had him that he has got through the beginning of the season and not been bothered by a problem.
"Now we can see what a good player he is."