Wenger eyes new recruits as troubled Arsenal face Chelsea test

Wenger eyes new recruits as troubled Arsenal face Chelsea test

 

Arsene Wenger has warned his Arsenal flops that new recruits are on the way as the furious Gunners boss prepares for Wednesday’s League Cup semi-final against Chelsea.

Wenger’s side suffered one of the most chastening defeats of his increasingly tarnished reign on Sunday as second tier Nottingham Forest won 4-2 in the FA Cup third round.

It was the first time Wenger had crashed out at that stage of the competition since arriving at the north London club in 1996.

Wenger’s decision to make nine changes backfired, with the understudies delivering a listless display at the City Ground.

The Frenchman prioritised the League Cup showdown with Chelsea by keeping his main men fresh for the first leg clash at Stamford Bridge means he can ill-afford a damaging defeat against Antonio Conte’s men.

Arsenal’s German defender Per Mertesacker (C) vies with Nottingham Forest’s English striker Tyler Walker (L) and Nottingham Forest’s English striker Ben Brereton during the English FA Cup third round football match between Nottingham Forest and Arsenal at The City Ground in Nottingham, central England, on January 7, 2018. / AFP PHOTO

But regardless of Arsenal’s League Cup fortunes, Wenger has clearly had enough of another underachieving season which sees his team in danger of failing to qualify for the Champions League for a second successive year.

Wenger insists the Gunners, who last week signed Greek defender Konstantinos Mavropanos, will do further business during the transfer window in an effort to turn things around.

Unsettled Chile forward Alexis Sanchez could be sold to Manchester City and Wenger wants several fresh faces to arrive as soon as possible.

Arsenal's Chilean striker Alexis Sanchez , currently sidelined by an abdominal injury, is out of contract at the end of the season (AFP Photo/Adrian DENNIS)
(FILE)Arsenal’s Chilean striker Alexis Sanchez , currently sidelined by an abdominal injury, is out of contract at the end of the season (AFP Photo/Adrian DENNIS)

Asked whether there could be developments this week, Wenger said: “Yes, because we are in the second week of January and, after that, it passes quickly.

“We signed a Greek boy (Mavropanos) who looks quite good in training but apart from that, we have not done anything. Will we be out there to do something? Yes, we will.”

Breaking point 

Arsenal’s last League Cup-winning campaign came in the pre-Wenger era in 1993, with the Frenchman’s team losing in both his final appearances in 2007 and 2011.

To return to the final, Wenger knows Arsenal need a positive result at the Bridge ahead of the second leg at the Emirates Stadium on January 24.

But the Gunners, who drew both Premier League encounters with Chelsea this season, haven’t won at their London rivals since 2011.

Fortunately for Wenger, Chelsea are in the midst of a hectic schedule that Conte admits is stretching his squad to breaking point.

Arsenal’s French manager Arsene Wenger poses for a selfi with a fan as he arrives for the English FA Cup third round football match between Nottingham Forest and Arsenal at The City Ground in Nottingham, central England, on January 7, 2018.Wenger will start his three-match touchline ban at Nottingham on January 7 after being sanctioned by the Football Association over comments he made about the refereeing of Arsenal’s Premier League game against West Brom last weekend. His ban will also cover the League Cup semi-final first leg at Chelsea on January 10 and next weekend’s Premier League trip to Bournemouth. / AFP PHOTO 

Having complained all season that Chelsea doesn’t have enough depth to cope with the demands of competing in four competition, Conte’s fears are coming true.

The Italian made a host of changes for Saturday’s FA Cup third round draw at second-tier Norwich, but Chelsea were well below their best, prompting Conte to bemoan the demands put on his players.

“When you play every three days and you have to play many games, it means you are facing every competition,” Conte said.

“Now on Wednesday, we have to play a semi-final against Arsenal. I think we deserved to reach this target.

“It’s very important in this moment of the season to have all the squad in the best physical form, because you have to play a lot of games and everyone must be ready.”

Chelsea's Italian head coach Antonio Conte (C) pats Chelsea's Belgian midfielder Eden Hazard (L) on the back after Hazard was substituted during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Newcastle United at Stamford Bridge in London on December 2, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / Daniel LEAL-OLIVAS
(FILE)Chelsea’s Italian head coach Antonio Conte (C) pats Chelsea’s Belgian midfielder Eden Hazard (L) on the back after Hazard was substituted during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Newcastle United at Stamford Bridge in London on December 2, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / Daniel LEAL-OLIVAS

Chelsea are bidding to reach the League Cup final for the first time since they last won the tournament in 2015.

That would be a huge boost for Conte, who has found himself embroiled in a bitter feud with Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho in recent weeks.

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Nottingham Forest Arseneal chastening defeats has warned his Arsenal flops Loss to second-tier side Manager Arsene Wenger new recruits are on the way Wednesday's League Cup semi-final against Chelsea. Wenger eyes new recruits as troubled Arsenal face Chelsea test

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