Wenger has faith in young side

ARSENE Wenger says Arsenal will look to finish their Champions League Group F campaign with victory over Olympiakos in Athens despite having already secured qualification for the knockout stages and leaving the likes of captain Robin van Persie, Aaron Ramsey, Theo Walcott and Alex Song in London.

Only two of the starting XI from the weekend’s 4-0 win at Wigan boarded the plane to Greece, but Wenger said of his youthful squad: “It is not who we left at home, it is who will play who is important. Before you make an early judement, let’s wait to see how our team will do. We have a very strong team, many of whom played in the first game against Olympiakos, so give the players who turn up some credit, they will produce a good performance. We are unbeaten and want to continue our run, and also to be respectful of everybody else in the group. We have a moral responsibility to play to win.

“I planned to play this team because they have given a hard time to Manchester City in the Carling Cup, when many of these players did very well.

“I just left some players at home because I did not want to put them on the bench, I would rather they had training. The team will be motivated and absolutely up for it.”