EPL:Wenger gamble on golden oldies pays off

16 Apr 2014 02:06:45
Arsene Wenger took a risk by
picking Arsenal's old guard
against West Ham United on
Tuesday but it paid off with a
3-1 win as his weary side
regained fourth place in the Premier League.
The Frenchman fielded a team with an
average age of 29 at the Emirates, with
Olivier Giroud their youngest outfield player
at 27, as he banked on his golden oldies to
get a result.
Wenger, renowned for developing young
players, opted for a wealth of experience to
overcome stubborn West Ham and wrestle
back fourth place, and the last Champions
League qualification spot, from Everton who
are a point behind with a game in hand.
"It was a gamble," Wenger told a news
conference. "I said before the game it was
the oldest team that I have ever played at
Arsenal since I've been here."
In fact he fielded an Arsenal team with an
average age of 30 against Leeds United in
2003 but his point was valid.
"I trusted the experience of the players," said
Wenger. "Tonight it was an unusual around
30 (years of age) team and that experience
helps when your backs are against the wall."
Arsenal reached the FA Cup final on Saturday
on penalties against second-tier holders
Wigan Athletic but, without a win in four
league games and with the semifinal having
taken its toll, Wenger decided older heads
were needed against West Ham.
Goals from Lukas Podolski either side of a
sublime Olivier Giroud finish secured the win
for Arsenal, who fell behind to a Matt Jarvis
header five minutes before halftime.
MENTAL TOUGHNESS
It was Giroud's strike, his 14th league goal
this season, that especially pleased Wenger,
who hailed the France striker's mental
toughness after a tame finish in the first half
when played through on goal caused uproar
among the home fans.
"Olivier is a great guy with a great mentality,"
Wenger said. "At halftime he came in and
was very down because he missed a great
chance but he responded well in the second
because mentally he is a strong guy."
Giroud, who was dropped from the starting
line-up against Wigan, held off the challenge
of two defenders to deftly bring down
Thomas Vermaelen's long ball and strike his
shot between West Ham's goalkeeper
Adrian's legs.
"It was a perfect first touch," the Arsenal
manager said. "What I like is that he used
his upper body first to make some space and
despite that he managed to have a great first
touch, and he finished well.
"He's come through a difficult period. I think
it affected his game for a while and his
confidence. Tonight you could see that he
was refreshed and up for it."
Arsenal now have 67 points and four games
left, one ahead of Everton who host Crystal
Palace on Wednesday, and they will be
confident they can hold off the challenge of
their rivals who have more difficult fixtures in
their remaining five games.
"We know we have to win our games and
hope Everton slip up somewhere," Wenger
told reporters. "Lets focus on our job. At the
moment we can only do it (finish fourth) if
we win all of our games, so let's focus on
that."
© Reuters