Football
9y

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger pleased with competition for places in squad

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says he faces a "very interesting" selection dilemma over the closing weeks of the season with nearly all of his first-team squad fit.

The Gunners still face a battle to secure second place in the Premier League and could be back down to fourth this weekend should results go against them before they kick off at Hull on Monday night.

Despite the frustrations of not being able to beat leaders Chelsea following a goalless draw at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, Arsenal -- who have played a match less than their rivals -- head to East Yorkshire in impressive form, with just two league defeats in 2015.

Full-back Mathieu Debuchy is struggling with a "little hamstring problem" following his return to action after shoulder surgery, while captain Mikel Arteta is set to step up his training this week. Midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, meanwhile, is another continuing rehabilitation.

Otherwise, Wenger has plenty of options -- which is something of a rarity given Arsenal's track record with injuries -- and was able to select a substitutes' bench including the likes of Kieran Gibbs, Jack Wilshere, Theo Walcott and Danny Welbeck against Chelsea.

"We are at a period of the season where it is going to be important to have everybody on board, and to see everyone fit makes us stronger," Wenger said on the club's official website.

"We are on a good run. We want to keep it going and the fact that we have plenty of [selection] opportunities is very interesting for me."

Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud, meanwhile, believes the competition for places can only be a positive for the remainder of the season, which will culminate with the FA Cup final against Aston Villa at Wembley on May 30.

"We had a lot of injuries in the season and missed a lot of players, but now I think we are all at the boss' discretion and he can pick the best team at the end of the week," Giroud is quoted as saying by the Evening Standard.

"That is good news for him and for us because everybody is ready. It is efficient and competitive and that is what we need to reach our target."

Giroud, who was out for the best part of three months earlier in the campaign with a broken leg, added: "We need competition between us so everybody gives their best in training, so that's why I think we are on a really strong run. We are maybe all in our best form at the same moment."

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