So many difficult selection decisions for Wenger - Sport - Evening Standard
       

So many difficult selection decisions for Wenger

Arsene Wenger admits, like England manager Steve McClaren, he has plenty of selection posers.

Arsenal take on north London rivals Tottenham at White Hart Lane tomorrow looking to maintain their promising start to the season.

Selection posers: Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger

The Gunners lie second in the Barclays Premier League after going through their first four games unbeaten.

Manuel Almunia is set to continue in goal because of an elbow injury to German Jens Lehmann.

As to who was his first-choice goalkeeper, Wenger quipped: "We will see, it is down to them."

The Arsenal manager believes having several men vying for a place in the side can only have a positive impact.

"That is not the only difficult decision I have to make because there's competition in every position now," he said.

"Do I play Gilberto or not on Saturday? Because he only comes back Friday, so it's very open for Saturday's game."

Defender Bacary Sagna will return to the squad following injury, and there could be a place for new signing Lassana Diarra.

However, Philippe Senderos is suspended, while William Gallas (groin) and Emmanuel Eboue are also out.

The injuries mean Kolo Toure is the only fit and established central defender in his squad.

"Gilberto is available I hope because he has played in that position recently. Then we will see," Wenger told Arsenal TV Online.

"After that I have Alex Song who has played in this position and Justin Hoyte too."

Wenger was at the Emirates Stadium on Thursday afternoon to help launch the Arsenal Opus.

The book - which measures a half metre square and weighs over 37 kilograms - took more than two years to produce and includes some 400,000 words and many photographs which have never been published. There will only be 500 issues made which will retail from around £4,500.

Wenger is, of course, featured heavily in the publication, having brought unprecedented success to the club over the past decade.

The highly-respected coach last week ended speculation about his own future by agreeing a new three-year deal.

He said: "I met this club at the right moment of my life. I was mature enough to give what I had learnt.

"It is like a marriage. You need clear rules at the start, you have the freedom to accept them or not.

"I feel I need full technical responsibility, maybe others like to share that. It is important to have rules at the start.

"I am at a stage in my career now where I don't want to be associated with anyone else."

Wenger added: "We try to make history - that belongs to people who love the club. You try to do as well as you can.

"I look back and I think we have not done enough - I always want every day and every game to have success."

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