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Arsene Wenger

LONDON. — Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has promised to pick a strong team as his side look to rubber-stamp qualification for the Champions League soccer group phase against Fenerbahce tonight. The match starts at 8:45pm. The London club swept to an impressive 3-0 victory in the first leg of their play-off tie in Istanbul last week, leaving them on the brink of taking a place in the group stage for the 16th successive season.

Arsenal also have a high-profile derby against Tottenham Hotspur this weekend to think about, but Wenger does not want to take any chances when Ersun Yanal’s side visit the Emirates Stadium.

“We have made a big step, but it’s not over the line. Now we want to finish the job, because that is a big part of our season,” he said.
“The group stage of the Champions League is highly important. I will not rest players on Tuesday night, certainly not.”

Wenger was speaking after his side’s 3-1 victory at Fulham in the English Premier League on Saturday.
The Frenchman came in for heavy criticism after a shock loss at home to Aston Villa on the opening day of the season, but he has been encouraged by his side’s reaction in their two subsequent games.

Wenger continues to be dogged by questions about his failure to act in the transfer market, but he has been at pains to underline the importance of the players who are already at the club.

He was particularly eager to emphasise the contribution of Welsh midfielder Aaron Ramsey, who was named man-of-the-match in the games against Fenerbahce and Fulham.

“Ramsey is a young player. A year ago he was highly under scrutiny and people had major doubts,” he said.
“This guy deserves huge credit for having moved forward the way he did and we deserve some as well, because we continued to develop him and believe in him.”

Wenger has also vowed he will not be forced to panic buy, despite Arsenal being down to the bare bones of their squad.
Having failed to make any signings of note during the summer, the Gunners have been left dangerously stretched due to injuries to key players in the run-up to the new season, and fans have been left crying out for new arrivals.

However, although Wenger admits his side are short of players, he insists his hand will not be forced into making a rash decision in the transfer market.

Meanwhile, Olivier Giroud said there should be no more doubts about whether he is good enough to lead Arsenal’s attack.
He has lived all summer with the threat of a big-name striker replacing him, with the Gunners going for Gonzalo Higuain, Luis Suarez and Karim Benzema.

But Giroud has given the perfect response with three goals in as many games and a moment of ­brilliance at Craven Cottage.
“I’m on a good run, I feel really confident,” said the Frenchman. “I feel good in the games and I do the job on the pitch.
“No doubts, no more questions.

“If there is a new striker coming, it’s good for the squad, and I try to give it up for the team, help the team to win. Nothing more.” — AFP.