Arsene Wenger has promised a mix of youth and experience for Arsenal's League Cup tie against Coventry City Wednesday at the Emirates.
"We will be focused to do well in this competition and we have an opportunity to do so against Coventry," Wenger told the club's official website.
"Because we have a big squad we will of course put out a strong team. When you think that Wilshere will still not be involved, Rosicky will not be involved, Sagna will not be involved, you can see that the squad is quite big and strong in quality.
Arsenal are known to produce some talented youngsters, and Wenger revealed some of them would get their chance against the League One side. "Hector Bellerin, Kris Olsson, Serge Gnabry, Nico Yennaris and Craig Eastmond could be (involved)," Wenger said. "All these players could have an opportunity to play.
"Ignasi Miquel will play. We will have a good mixture of experience and professional top-class players. We want to put out a talented side that has a good chance to win the game.
"We will give a chance to some players who have not played as many games recently. The players that did not play on Sunday will get a chance and it's a good opportunity for them to show they can do well."
Wenger picked out 17-year-old Serge Gnabry to have a bright future. "Serge Gnabry is a great hope for the future, I rate him highly," he said. "If he continues his development, I think he could play in the first team this season. At the moment he needs to work and ensure he remains fit.
"He is in the category of Oxlade-Chamberlain and Walcott -- guys who have great power, great pace and good dribbling skills.
"He has goalscoring potential and good vision as well for the final ball. He can play centrally behind the striker or on the flanks."
Andrey Arshavin, who is expected to start Wednesday's game, has often been criticized for not putting too much effort in games, but Wenger insisted the Russian was one of the most committed players in the squad.
"I have personally a great respect for Andrey Arshavin because sometimes some wrong ideas are circulated about him -- that he doesn't care, but it's completely the opposite," Wenger said. "He's a 200 percent professional who works very hard in training every day.
"At the moment he's a victim of the high level of competition that exists for places. He has a huge respect from everybody in the dressing room, and especially from the staff.
"I feel he's unhappy that he doesn't play because deeply he loves football and he practices every day with 100 per cent commitment. I'm happy to give him some competition on Wednesday night."
© Copyright 2024 Sports World News, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
