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Arsenal's Spanish midfielder Santi Cazorla (right) vies with Stoke City's US defender Geoff Cameron (left) during their English Premier League football match against Stoke City at The Britannia Stadium in Stoke-on-Trent, on August 26. (AFP)
Arsene Wenger often walks a tight line between encouragement and piling on the pressure.
Ahead of the clash with Manchester City today, a few hours from now, Wenger has branded his current Arsenal team :as the most complete squad” he has managed at the club.
That would be drawing comparisons with his Invincibles – who went through the 2003-04 season unbeaten – and the sides he was won the double with twice.
The Gunners boss said: “It’s true. In terms of numbers and quality in midfield, for sure.
“At the moment Jack Wilshere, Tomas Rosicky, Emmanuel Frimpong and Francis Coquelin are not playing and nor is Aaron Ramsey.
“We have exceptional choice.”
In attack he has Gervinho, Lukas Podolski and Olivier Giroud, with Santi Cazorla, Mikel Arteta and Abou Diaby in midfield.
Wenger believes Santi Cazorla is as good as Fabregas.
Wenger said: “He is that player. He has that quality. He gives us a good link between midfield and the final third. He has that availability to push the game forward.”
This is why Roberto Mancini is perhaps keen that Wenger stop complaining about Manchester City’s buying capabilities.
He said: “There were a lot of teams in the past spending money for big players, including Arsenal.
“All the managers talk about the money we have all the time. But we have 11 players like all the other teams.
“I don’t know why we should only talk about the money.”
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