Arsenal boss sticks with young keeper
Published: 17 December, 2010
Pole position for Szczesny
ARSENE Wenger has put his trust in “quality” keeper Wojciech Szczesny to stop Stoke scoring on Saturday.
The Arsenal boss is set to start his third choice goalkeeper after the 20-year-old Pole’s eye-catching Premier League debut during Monday’s 1-0 defeat by Manchester United.
Wenger revealed at a press conference yesterday (Thursday) that first choice Manuel Almunia has a fresh ankle problem and that Lukasz Fabianski was still struggling to recover from a hip muscle injury. He said: “Wojciech did very well on Monday. People always questioned the goalkeeping position at Arsenal Football Club.
“But I always said we had four good goalkeepers – look at how well Vito Mannone is doing at Hull. We have plenty of quality.”
The match is likely to be a tasty encounter after Stoke defender Ryan Shawcross broke Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey’s leg during the Gunners’ visit to the Britannia stadium in February.
Wales midfielder Ramsey is currently on loan at Championship side Nottingham Forest and will not feature at the Emirates.
Nicklas Bendtner is not expected to make the squad either, as his partner has gone into labour.
Wenger said: “He is due to be a father today or tomorrow so I don’t know if I will involve him.”
Wenger added that Cesc Fabregas and Robin van Persie, who both came on as substitutes at Old Trafford, are getting “better and better” and that the coming weeks should see midfielder Abou Diaby and defender Thomas Vermaelen return. “Diaby is back in full training,” he said. “Also Vermaelen could be back in January we think.”