Arsenal boss defends FA Cup selection (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

Arsenal boss defends FA Cup selection

10:32am Monday 25th January 2010 in

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ARSENE Wenger has defended his decision to field a weakened team during Arsenal's 3-1 defeat at Stoke that sees the Gunners dumped out of the FA Cup.

Two goals from Ricardo Fuller either side of a Denilson strike and a final nail in the coffin from Dean Whitehead handed the Potters victory at the Britannia Stadium, setting up a trip to Manchester City in the last 16.

But the Arsenal boss has come under fire for selecting just two first-team regulars in Cesc Fabregas and Denilson. He handed starts to Francis Coquelin, Craig Eastmond and Jay Emmanuel-Thomas, as well as Sol Campbell, making his first appearance since re-signing for the club this month.

But Wenger stood by his decision, citing a tough schedule of games in a 14-day period that could go a long way to deciding whether they will win the Premier League for the first time in six years. Matches against Aston Villa, Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool await the Gunners.

“I don't regret the side that I put out,” said a defiant Wenger. “We had 10 injuries and a very difficult programme coming up.

“We have four very important games now in a short space of time, that is what we are focussing on.

“Our selection was simple – take a look at our schedule and you must see we cannot play the same 11 every time. That is for sure.

“But if you do not win in such situations, it is my fault. I can only stand by the team I selected in the circumstances, we lost but there was not much room for manoeuvre in terms of players available.”