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Wenger hails his young Gunners

Tue 12 Aug, 08:43 PM


Arsene Wenger has no doubt his young Gunners will be up to the task of beating FC Twente in the Champions League qualifier first leg.Aaron Ramsey, the Wales Under-21 international signed from Cardiff in a £5million deal during the summer, is set for a dream debut at the Gelredome because of injuries in central midfield, with Euro 2008 winner Cesc Fabregas the latest casualty after damaging a hamstring.

Ramsey, still only 17, is expected to line up alongside 20-year-old Brazilian Denilson, while Swiss defender Johan Djourou, 21, will partner captain William Gallas because Kolo Toure has aggravated a muscle in his hip.

Despite missing so many players from what would be his preferred starting XI - Abou Diaby, Samri Nasri, Tomas Rosicky and Eduardo are also sidelined - the Arsenal manager remains confident his youngsters can overcome the Dutch outfit, now coached by former England manager Steve McClaren.

"The level of focus within the side is very high and everyone will want to do well tomorrow," said Wenger, whose side reached the Champions League final in 2006 and have competed in the elite European competition for more than a decade.

"We still have a very good team out tomorrow and hopefully we can get the result we want.

"We always have a very young midfield and a very young team at the moment but that does not mean we do not have experience."

Wenger has been impressed by the pre-season performances of young Welshman Ramsey, whose last game for Cardiff was the FA Cup final at Wembley.

The Arsenal manager sees no reason why Ramsey - who could have joined Manchester United instead of the Gunners - should not take the occasion in his stride.

"If you are a good football player you are a good football player whether it's in the Champions League or in another game," he said.

"When you have the ball you make an intelligent decision.

"If you play against your friends on the beach or in a big game it's exactly the same - if you are a good player you are a good player."

Wenger, however, maintained "patience" was the key to Ramsey's continued progression.

"In England we have always to calm things down because after one month of games there is always the media pressure to make quick stars," he said.

"Players are young and patient development does not mean you cannot start early - but it is most important to keep developing as a player and that you don't have to worry about too much pressure on your shoulders."

Wenger knows all of the expectation will be for Arsenal to get a defendable result to take back to the Emirates Stadium.

However, the Frenchman maintains this encounter will be a "completely different story" to the last time his side lined up against a McClaren side, when Middlesbrough were trashed 7-0 at Highbury during January 2006.

"Every game makes its own history and we just want to be up for it," Wenger said.

"They are a team who have knocked out Ajax in the qualifiers of the Champions League - that deserves respect.

"We know they have a typical Dutch culture of playing football and keeping the ball very well and therefore we need a good defensive concentration."

Despite McClaren having parted from the England job under a cloud of disappointment following the defeat to Croatia which ended the Euro 2008 dream on a wet November night at Wembley, Wenger believes the former Middlesbrough coach will benefit from a fresh start.

"I think it was a good move, he maybe needed to get a change from England," said Wenger.

"To position yourself as an international coach is always a very good move for the rest of your career.

"It is a little bit similar to

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  1. go gunners!this ramsey guy sure hell have a lot of potential.remember,patience!

    From radchenko_85, on Wed 13 Aug 11:07AM
  2. I have a strong faith in ARSENAL!

    From fazzely m, on Wed 13 Aug 1:33AM
  3. Good Luck Gunners..

    Gunners4Evahh

    From ArsenaL4evah, on Tue 12 Aug 11:27PM
  4. OH my days why so many injuries, this is not good and at the beginning of the season, BEST OF LUCK TO ALL THE YOUNG GUNS.

    From Wilson-M, on Tue 12 Aug 10:32PM
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