Written by Jonathan Chong on Sunday, November 8, 2009

Manager Arsène Wenger has denied that the team's defence are a problem for him and his team. We have only kept three clean sheets in our last ten games in all competitions, and in our last five games, the team have conceded late goals in four games, regardless of any of the three goalkeepers in goal.

However, the goals 'for' column tells a much different story. We have scored 36 goals in our last 11 games, an astounding achievement. The strength of the Arsenal attack is the reason why Wenger says he has little concern over the defence.

Wenger said: "We have a style where everyone goes forward. You cannot have everything in football, but I believe we have a good balance between offense and defence, and as long as we score as many goals as we do, we can accept that.

"We can score goals and open teams up, which is a good basis to have confidence. It also makes you keen to work on the defensive side of your game.

"That is a concern, but I do not think it is a problem. When you analyse the numbers a bit deeper, we conceded goals in high-scoring games where our attention eased off a bit.

"Also, we have had something like only 36 shots against us, which means defensively we are quite sure. I am happy with our team work defensively and confident our defensive record will improve."

Game in hand

We are currently second in the league, having played a game less than the other teams in the top four - Manchester United and Chelsea play later today. It is this game in hand against Bolton Wanderers that Wenger says puts the team in a strong position in the league.

Wenger added: "A draw between United and Chelsea is fantastic for us. But the most important thing is that it is a good game, it is too early to calculate too much.

"Is it good or bad to win? Let's hope it is a good game and enjoy it. You enjoy it always when you have won your game!

"I also wouldn't discount Liverpool at the moment. The problem we had last year, the others had not lost two. Now everybody has lost two, so the difference with Liverpool is not as big.

"We are in a strong position because we have a game in hand. Let's keep strength in our belief, keep humility, and enjoy our game."

Rotating the central defenders

With Wenger's belief in the defence, the boss says that he is not prepared to rotate his central defence partnership of William Gallas and Thomas Vermaelen.

Amazingly, the pair have scored nine goals between them and the fans have taken well to the stability in central defence this season.

Philippe Senderos and Mikael Silvestre seem to be second choice, with the pair making their appearances primarily in the Carling Cup. It is expected that they will also be the partnership for the upcoming FA Cup games.

Wenger explained: "At the moment, I am not tempted to rotate [my centre backs].

"I do not like to rotate too much in central defence because we are in a position where they have a good understanding and every point is vital so it is not worth to take a gamble if I am not forced to do it.

"Senderos is coming back into a good condition, Silvestre is working very hard and looking very good in training, so we are covered, but of course, you want to keep everybody in match fitness."

The Verminator paid tribute to Gallas, saying that the former captain's form has helped him settle in a lot easier at the club.

Vermaelen said: "William is playing very well this year and it makes it easier for me to play in this team. It is important to have these good players because it makes it easier to fit in.

"Everybody has to realise that if it is going well, you have to keep focused. It is very important to do that in every game and then you can win all the time.

"It is the most difficult thing in football, to be consistent."

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