ARSENE WENGER has astonishingly claimed his current Arsenal crop is the most complete squad during his time at the club.
By MIKE McGRATH
The Frenchman has won the double twice and saw his Invincibles go through the 2003-04 season unbeaten.
But Wenger is delighted with his options and reckons he has never had it better.
The Gunners boss said: “It’s true.
“In terms of numbers and quality in midfield, for sure.
“At the moment Jack Wilshere, Tomas Rosicky, Emmanuel Frimpong and Francis Coquelin are not playing and nor is Aaron Ramsey.
“We have exceptional choice.”
Wenger is also pleased with his centre-back options, with Laurent Koscielny on the bench.
In attack he can field Gervinho or Lukas Podolski if Olivier Giroud continues to misfire following his summer move from Montpellier.
And the flexibility softens the blow after having the spine ripped from his team when Cesc Fabregas, Samir Nasri and Gael Clichy forced moves last year.
Wenger will be reunited with Nasri and Clichy today when his side travel to the Etihad — with Arsenal described as a ‘feeder club’ by Gunners legend Tony Adams this week.
City and Chelsea have changed the face of the Premier League thanks to their millions. Wenger said: “At the end of the day you have to accept it because you cannot fight it.
“And you have to think that you can still beat them.
“As a manager there is deep pride to do as well as you can with what he has.”
City were interested in Robin van Persie over the summer but the Dutchman eventually moved to rivals Manchester United.
Wenger added: “He went to Man United. Is the pain worse or less? I don’t know.
“Man City, even if Van Persie didn’t go there, have the money to buy another guy of that level.”
Podolski has started to look like he could replace Van Persie — and Wenger believes Santi Cazorla is as good as Fabregas.
Wenger said: “He is that player. He has that quality.
“He gives us a good link between midfield and the final third.
“He has that availability to push the game forward.”
