Why I rested Van Persie - Arsene Wenger

Why I rested Van Persie - Arsene Wenger

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger was delighted after the Gunners eased past Stoke City, on Sunday, at the Emirates Stadium.

Speaking after the 3-1 win, the Frenchman described the performance of his team as a solid one as he praised the defensive department but admitted that the players were nervous after Stoke City scored the equalising goal with the manager adding that the Gunners dominated the second half and fully deserved to take all three points.

On why he rested striker Robin van Persie, the Arsenal boss revealed that the Dutchman had a muscular tightness and was doubtful for the game with the Arsenal top-scorer, luckily, recovering in time to come on as a substitute and score the last two goals of the game.

On whether the 28-year old will be fit to face Chelsea next week, Wenger concluded by saying that his problem was indeed just “muscular tightness” and he will be 100% fit to face André Villas-Boas’ men at Stamford Bridge.

After Stoke, Wenger said:

We had a solid team performance where you could see that the team improves defensively, especially against a team that is challenging like Stoke.

We looked much more solid defensively and we had a good start to the game until they equalised.

Then I felt we became a bit nervous and we needed half time to calm down and then come back.

The second half basically was all us, especially after the first 15 minutes, and then the problem was to score goals. van Persie can do that better than many people and he did it when he came on.

Overall it was a good, spirited performance and the crowd feels that this team wants to do well because they stood behind the team again and that is very positive. They feel that the team is ready to put effort in.

Of course Robin with the two goals deserves a massive credit but I feel Gervinho as well had a very lively game, a very influential game.

[Why I rested van Persie?] He had muscular tightness and I took 19 players [in training] yesterday because I was not sure whether to involve him on the teamsheet.

He made a check this morning and he was medically alright to be on the bench. Before you leave him out you always think 15 times ’should I really do it or not?’

But if you look at the number of games he plays and the history he has, you are a bit cautious. [His fitness?] He was not injured, he was just tight muscularly. He will be fit.