Wenger defends selection

Arsene Wenger has denied his decision to make eight selection changes played a part in Arsenal’s 2-2 draw with Wigan on Wednesday.

Two days after beating Chelsea 3-1 in the English Premier League, Wenger opted to drastically alter the side for the trip to DW Stadium.

It appeared not to matter when Niklas Bendtner scored before half-time to hand Arsenal a 2-1 lead, with Wigan midfielder Charles N’Zogbia’s straight red card in the 78th minute handing the Gunners a further advantage.

But Sebastien Squillaci’s own-goal meant Arsenal had to share the points – though Wenger was adamant his selection decisions had little part to play in the end result.

“Arshavin scored a great goal, Bendtner scored a great goal and I have exactly the same confidence in every single player,” Wenger told Sky Sports.

“The players who started tonight could have started against Chelsea as well. For me that doesn’t make any difference and they were eight international players coming in.”

“Overall we had a good game tonight. The frustrating thing is we were 2-1 up and conceded a set-piece.”

“At that moment we were 11 against 10 and that is very difficult to accept, but overall it was a very hard game.”

Wigan boss Roberto Martinez was undoubtedly the happier of the two managers, lavishing praise on his side’s ability to eke out a point in front of their home fans.

“If you’re looking at the second-half, we beat a special Arsenal side with 10 men,” he said.

“That is down to the desire, the togetherness, the passion and the quality that we have, because I felt in the first half we started really well.”

“In the first 20-25 minutes we were really on top, we were dictating things, and then we lost out tactical awareness for 20 minutes and we really got damaged in that respect.”

“But we handled the whole performance really well and it is one of those performances that give you more than one point. It gives you a real feel of pride.”