Arsene Wenger Hails Arsenal's Less Celebrated Attribute... Physical Strength

Gunners' boss believes his players have strength to cope...

While Arsenal’s silky skills and free-flowing football are lauded by fans and neutrals alike, some critics still believe the Premier League leaders lack physical strength, although not Arsene Wenger.

With key Premier League encounters on the horizon against Aston Villa, Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool, the Gunners' boss acknowledges the demands of the division, but feels his team is physically strong enough to meet them toe-to-toe.

A reason why Wenger plans to rest several of his star asset's for Sunday's FA Cup fourth round tie at Stoke City.


"I feel physically we are one of the strongest teams in the league,” Wenger proclaimed, according to Press Association Sport.

"We are a very mobile team and we can deal with the demands we have in front of us.

"I want to pick a team which is strong enough to win the game, without ignoring we are under immense physical demands in every single game and some players need to have a breather."

Few would doubt the physical strength and presence of returning centre-back Sol Campbell, who could make his first appearance against the Potters since re-signing.

The equally experienced Mikael Silvestre is also likely to join youngsters such as Jack Wilshere and Kyle Bartley in Sunday’s starting XI, which Wenger hopes will continue Arsenal’s current winning run.

"We want to keep the momentum going," he added.

"Do you voluntarily want to interrupt that? No, because you never know the consequences it has on the team morale and the belief for the next games.

"We want to go to Stoke [City], to win the game and get through to the next round.

"We want to be a winning team, and the FA Cup is part of that."