ARSENE Wenger believes the spate of injuries in the Gunners squad is allowing some of the younger players to come through and show what they can do on the biggest stage.

Recent injuries to Cesc Fabregas, Abou Diaby and Kolo Toure have enabled the likes of Denilson, Johan Djourou and Aaron Ramsey to step in and strut their stuff in the first team. And although he will be eager to get his big guns back in action as soon as possible, Wenger has been impressed by what he's seen from the younger members of the squad.

"Not only do we make results but we develop players as well," Wenger said after the weekend win. "At the start of the season it's always very difficult to assess how good [players like] Denilson and Johan Djourou will be. They can only develop if they play.

"It's a tricky situation. People want to see big names and they want to see good young players as well."

Wenger revealed that Arsenal's mercurial midfielder Fabregas should be fit to face FC Twente in the second leg of the Champions League qualifier and admitted that Spaniard is a vital cog in the engine that the Gunners will need to be firing on all cylinders if they are to mount a title challenge.

"I believe that, when everyone is sharp, we will have much more invention," he said. "But you always want a player like Fabregas to be in there because he gives you the quality of the pass. He should be fit for the second Champions League game [against FC Twente on August 27]."