Wenger welcomes back duo
20 Oct 2008 - 15:32:06
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger will be able to call on the services of Nicklas Bendtner and Johan Djourou for Tuesday's Champions League clash with Fenerbahce.
Bendtner missed the 3-1 victory against Everton with an ankle problem while Djourou was rested after suffering concussion while on international duty with Switzerland.
However, William Gallas (hamstring), Bacary Sagna (knee) and Kolo Toure (shoulder) will all miss the trip to Istanbul.
Wenger confirmed to the Gunners' official website: "From the game on Saturday, we have Nicklas Bendtner back in the squad and Johan Djourou is available again. But we don't have Kolo Toure.
"Gallas and Sagna are out but they are not long term and could be back in the squad for Sunday."
Wenger is looking forward to playing in Turkey, adding: "They have the most passionate fans in Europe, especially in Istanbul where you have Besiktas, Galatasaray and Fenerbahce.
"It is a unique place and for me it is a special city. But it is very, very tough.
"However it will not affect the players. It could have done 20 years ago but one of the good things done by UEFA is that they protect the players and the competitions so much they know if the teams do too much they will be kicked out.
"Every simple thing is filmed. That was not the case 20 or 30 years ago. You had a little more freedom to express your aggressiveness then. But that has gone."