Wenger not worried by defence

Arsene Wenger has described Arsenal's defence as "a concern but not a problem" ahead of their trip to Wolves on Saturday evening.

Wenger: Happy with team work defensively
Wenger: Happy with team work defensively

The Gunners head to Molineux 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."

Wenger 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."

Your Comments

ghanners (Arsenal fan)

""Norwayman2" either u are little bit after or maybe its a language problem? Bcus I really dont see what u cant understand. Wenger said highscoring GAMES not warm up its quite obvious that it happens. Im happy with our defence indivdually but as a unit im not really sure. The only individual position im woorried about is our goalies, none of them are worldclass. Almunia should not play professional football, the two others are not yet ready to be 1st choice"

xerxes (Arsenal fan)

"we should get Serdar Tasci and Gregory van der Wiel in the winter window"

adotina (Arsenal fan)

"i dont have trust on ur defence so pls try to make them tough in every game it is fragile especially at the last minutes"

Norwayman2 (Chelsea fan)

"So the attention is off from the start in many games becase of the many goals scored in warm-up??"

THIERRYNINIO (Arsenal fan)

"Vermaelan... Dint think hell do the job of replacing king kolo but mate keep playing like this and your a legend in the making!"

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