Wenger happy with fighting Gunners

Arsene Wenger believes his tired Arsenal side have all the gritty qualities required to get through the fixture-congested English winter.

The north London club were in action in the FA Cup on Sunday and face a visit from Everton in the English Premier League on Tuesday without in-form Samir Nasri, who picked up a hamstring injury in the fourth-round win over Huddersfield.

The Premier League’s second-placed club made no significant signings in the January transfer window, despite being hit by injury and suspension.

But Wenger believes his side have mastered the art of winning against the odds.

“It is television’s choice (that we are playing on Tuesday) and we wanted as well to protect the Newcastle game, which we play four days later,” Wenger said.

“It is a big ask for the players but it happened to us over Christmas – we were the only team who had that programme and we could cope with it.”

“We won on Sunday without being at our best. That’s one part of the good news and the other is that even with our backs against the wall, we found the resources to win. The team has hunger, ambition and togetherness and we have seen that.”

Arsenal are five points behind league leaders Manchester United, who host Aston Villa on Tuesday.

If results go the Gunners’ way, they could reduce the deficit to two.

In their way are an Everton side that struggled in the early part of the season, due largely to the number of games they drew.

But Wenger is aware of the threat they pose.

“If you look at Everton’s record it is surprising because they have lost only six games and we lost five,” Wenger said.

“We are at the top of the table and they lost six and are at the bottom of the table. The difference is they made so many draws. So it shows they are a team that is difficult to beat but this season they didn’t win as many games as they usually do. They have not had bad results but a draw in this league punishes you.”

Arsenal have central defender Sebastien Squillaci suspended after his red card against Huddersfield. Brazilian midfielder Denilson picked up a hamstring injury in the same game and was forced to carry on as Wenger had used all his substitutes.