Wenger tips strong Gunners
12 Sep 2006 - 12:26:37
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger thinks his squad is stronger than last season when the Gunners reached the final of the Champions League.
Wenger's side have failed to win any of their opening three Premiership games and face a tough Champions League group opener against Hamburg on Wednesday.
However, Wenger is in an optimistic frame of mind going into the game, telling the club's official website: "Overall the squad is stronger. Our young players have more experience and they can add something in the big games.
"Last year I felt we suffered at the back a little bit in terms of experience. Ashley Cole did not play in many games because unfortunately he was injured a lot.
"But now Kolo Toure and William Gallas have a fair experience, with Jens Lehmann it is three out of five who have that sort of experience. It should change our stability at the back.
"I do think Reyes will be a loss up front though. We played with a winger system at times and he is a typical winger. When you go to places like Madrid, you like to have him on the flanks so, on that front, he is a loss.
"However, we have players now we have brought in like William Gallas and Julio Baptista who can really add something in the big games."
