Wenger praises makeshift defence after Bolton win

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Date	Time	C	Opponent	F	A	R	S
11 Sep	3:00 PM	P	Bolton Wanderers (H)	4	1	Win

Arsène Wenger was pleased with the performance of his defenders in Arsenal's 4-1 win over Bolton today.

The Gunners started with a makeshift back four; Thomas Vermaelen missed the game through injury meaning new signing Sebastien Squillaci partnered fellow summer signing Laurent Koscielny in the middle.

As well as that, there were changes at both full-back positions with Kieran Gibbs and Emmanuel Eboue starting in place of Gaël Clichy and Bacary Sagna, who were rested.

Wenger has suggested that he will continue to rotate the team, but has praised the efforts of his squad for their performance today.

He said: "We go into two months where we play every three days so I rotate sometimes one or two players. I want Gibbs to get back to full fitness. It was his first full game.

"It was a good test for them and what I like is, for example, when Koscielny was knocked down he came back and still won every header after that. For somebody coming from the French league that is a good sign."

The manager was also impressed with Jack Wilshere, who started the match ahead of some of the squad's more established names.

Wenger added: "He [Wilshere] has every chance of playing this season. He is 18 years old and I consider him a player of the first-team squad. When he is on the pitch he is completely in the game. I rested Diaby, Clichy and Sagna today, Denilson didn't play, Nasri didn't play."

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