23/11/09 10:32 GMT
  £30 Free Bet Bet Now Premier League Latest Odds Fantasy Competitions Mobile
 
ARSENAL NEWS
Picture Wenger's side have let in 13 league goals so far.

WENGER: DEFENCE IS NOT A PROBLEM

By Jim van Wijk, Press Association Sport

Wolves v Arsenal Clean Sheet: Arsenal Evens
Click here to follow us on Twitter!
Click here for our special Transfer Centre!
Click here for more football headlines!

Arsene Wenger has no doubts Arsenal's defence will soon be among the meanest in the Barclays Premier League once again.

The Gunners head to Wolves for this afternoon's late afternoon kick-off on the back of some fine form, looking to extend an unbeaten run of 12 matches in all competitions.

However, while Arsenal may be the leading scorers in the top flight with 32 goals from the opening 10 matches, they have also conceded 13 - more than any other of the top four.

Wenger, though, does not feel overly concerned.

"We can score goals and open teams up, which is a good basis to have confidence," he told Arsenal TV Online.

"It also makes you keen to work on the defensive side of your game.

"That is a concern, but I do not think it is a problem.

"When you analyse the numbers a bit deeper, we conceded goals in high-scoring games where our attention eased off a bit.

"Also, we have had something like only 36 shots against us, which means defensively we are quite sure.

"I am happy with our team work defensively and confident our defensive record will improve."

Despite leaking the odd goal or two, Arsenal's new central defensive partnership of Thomas Vermaelen and veteran William Gallas has impressed.

Belgian international Vermaelen, a £10million summer signing from Ajax, has slotted straight into the heart of a backline, which has seen Kolo Toure sold to Manchester City.

With Johan Djourou unavailable until spring as he recovers from knee surgery, Philippe Senderos and Mikael Silvestre provide the back-up for what is set to be a hectic return to action following the international break.

Wenger, though, insisted: "At the moment, I am not tempted to rotate [my centre backs].

"I do not like to rotate too much in central defence because we are in a position where they have a good understanding and every point is vital so it is not worth to take a gamble if I am not forced to do it."

The Arsenal manager added: "Senderos is coming back into a good condition, Silvestre is working very hard and looking very good in training, so we are covered, but of course, you want to keep everybody in match fitness."

Vermaelen paid tribute to the way his defensive team-mates helped him settle quickly at Emirates Stadium.

"William is playing very well this year and it makes it easier for me to play in this team," said the Belgian.

"It is important to have these good players because it makes it easier to fit in."

Arsenal would keep up the pressure on leaders Chelsea and Manchester United, who clash at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, with what would be a sixth win from seven league games.

Vermaelen added: "Everybody has to realise that if it is going well, you have to keep focused.

"It is very important to do that in every game and then you can win all the time.

"It is the most difficult thing in football, to be consistent."

E-mail this article E-mail Article Print this article Print-Friendly Subscribe to sportinglife RSS feed Subscribe to RSS Feed
Digg this story post this story to del.icio.us - social bookmarking site Post to del.icio.us Facebook

  Latest Football Stories
 ZENGA PAYS PRICE FOR POOR RUN
 RUDDY OPEN TO WELL STAY
 DI MATTEO PLOTS SPENDING SPREE
 LEEDS BOSS TO TAKE BECKFORD 'RISK'
 MORE CHANGE POSSIBLE AT SIENA

----------------------------------------------------------------
Part of 365 Media Group

Sports News & Entertainment
Sporting Life | TEAMtalk | Sportal | Football365 | Cricket365
Golf365 | Fixtures365 | Extreme365 | Planet F1 | Planet Rugby | Sky Sports | Football365 ZA

Betting & Gaming
Betting Zone | WSOP |Sky Bet | Poker | Online Casino | Online Bingo | Oddschecker | Casino Checker | Poker Checker | Bingo Checker | Free Bets

Mobile, Fun & Games
Free Online Games | 24-7 Football | Fantasy Football | Fantasy F1
----------------------------------------------------------------

© 2009 365 Media Group Ltd, All Rights Reserved.
Email Your Comments - Advertise With Us - About/Contact Us
Terms & Conditions - Privacy Policy - RSS


Arsenal DVD Shop
Arsenal DVDs, Books, Clothing & More. Click Here.
Fantasy Football
Click Here Now To Play For Free And Win Up To £10,000
Arsenal
News
Fixtures
Results
Match Reports
2008-09 Match Reports
2007-08 Match Reports
2006-07 Match Reports
2005-06 Match Reports
2004-05 Match Reports
2003-04 Match Reports
2002-03 Match Reports
2001-02 Match Reports
2000-01 Match Reports
1999-00 Match Reports
1998-99 Match Reports
1997-98 Match Reports
Stats
Factfile
Football Live
Latest Scores
Vidiprinter
Teams
Match Reports
Reaction
Live Tables