Arsenal defender Philippe Senderos has his best years still to come, according to manager Arsene Wenger.
The Swiss centre-back spent last season on loan at AC Milan and looked to be heading to Everton after they sold Joleon Lescott to Manchester City. However, a move to Goodison Park before the transfer deadline never materialised, and Senderos is set to make his first Arsenal appearance since May 2008 against West Brom in the Carling Cup on Tuesday night.
"I don't believe he is starting his career again because we know how good he is, but it is a new start, let's say," Wenger told Arsenal TV Online. "He is still very young for a centre-back, he's 24-years-old and he has the future in front of him. The best 10 years are now coming for him."
With Johan Djourou sidelined for the best part of the season because of a serious knee problem, the 24-year-old could soon find himself back in Wenger's first-team squad on a regular basis.
"In this job you have always to be ready and the day you get the chance you can do well," Wenger added.
"If you are not ready, everybody will say he is not good enough for the level, to play for Arsenal Football Club. Now Philippe is back with us, so we will just give him a chance."
Senderos will, along with veteran defender Mikael Silvestre, who has yet to make an appearance this season, provide experience at heart of defence. Full-back Kieran Gibbs, midfielders Fran Merida, Aaron Ramsey and Jack Wilshere are in line feature as they all stake a claim for a regular first-team place, as will pacy forward Sanchez Watt.
Wenger also indicated 19-year-old Poland keeper Wojciech Szczesny was set to make his first-team debut, given Vito Mannone has been standing in for Manuel Almunia, who was out with a virus, and Lukasz Fabianski is still recovering from a knee injury.
Wales midfielder Ramsey, 18, has already made six appearances from the bench this season, scoring in the 4-1 Barclays Premier League win over Portsmouth as well as playing in Europe.
Wenger has been impressed with Ramsey's progress since his £5million move from Cardiff during the summer of 2008, saying: "I believe he has improved a lot."
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I agree with the first comment. I would like to see more of Wilshere. I feel like he is a sparkplug for the Gunners and I also feel he's way ahead of the other youth players. Ok, maybe Ramsey is a close second. So give Wilshere a chance.
Mok7727, I understand your viewpoint, but you should realise that sometimes, that fast-tracking a 16-year old player is a big risk that can be detremental to the player. Wilshere needs to be nurtured properly, and introduced into the first team at the right time, when he is physically ready to cope with the challenges of the premiership. For now, I think he is still better suited for Carling Cup matches and may be FA Cup matches. Except if wenger decides to bring him as substitutes in some premiership and Champions League matches. Otherwise, This is exactly what he has done with other youthful players that have broken into the first team
No matter what Wenger said, i still want to see Wilshere play in the premier league matches. The boy can give extra dimension in arsenal attacking.. It's not enough for him to play in carling cup only..
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