Wenger’s worry for Turkey trip after Arsenal taken the distance
ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger fears Saturday’s last-gasp win over Crystal Palace could undermine their chances in tomorrow’s Champions League play-off clash with Besiktas.
The Gunners were made to sweat until the 90th minute in their Premier League opener before Aaron Ramsey struck the winner, and Wenger admits that effort might leave his side jaded for the midweek trip to Turkey.
“They had to give a lot. Hopefully they will recover and be ready for Tuesday night,” he said. “We are desperate to do it because we want to play in the Champions League and we know how big these games are.”
Wenger is ready to rush World Cup winner Per Mertesacker back into the squad a game ahead of schedule amid concerns over defender Laurent Koscielny, who recovered from injury to score against Palace.
Mertesacker’s fellow Germans Mesut Ozil and Lukas Podolski are due to be back in contention for the weekend trip to Everton, having begun pre-season training later than their club colleagues.
Arsenal face Besiktas, who finished third in the Turkish top flight last season, in a two-legged tie for a place in the Champions League group stage, with the second leg in London next week.
“It was our plan to bring the Germans back in contention for Everton but in case of emergency I will take Mertesacker,” Wenger added. “I hope that Koscielny responds well. It’s a bit early for Mertesacker – ideally he would need one more week’s preparation – but he is willing, no problem.”