Twente Enschede 0 - 2 Arsenal

Wenger to rely on young guns

Updated: August 12, 2008, 8:36 PM UK

Arsenal will be without key midfielder Cesc Fabregas and several other first-team regulars for the Champions League qualifier against FC Twente in Holland.

Fabregas (hamstring) joins the likes of Kolo Toure (hip), Abou Diaby (thigh), Philippe Senderos (hamstring) and summer signing Samri Nasri (knee/thigh) on the sidelines along with Tomas Rosicky and Eduardo, who are both recovering from long-term injuries.

The number of absentees means Wales Under-21 international Aaron Ramsey - who joined the Gunners in a £5million deal from Cardiff - could be handed a full competitive debut alongside young Brazilian Denilson in midfield.

Arsene Wenger has no doubt Ramsey and his fellow young Gunners will be up to the challenge in Arnhem.

"The level of focus within the side is very high and everyone will want to do well,'' said Wenger, whose side reached the Champions League final in 2006 and have competed in the elite European competition for more than a decade.

"We still have a very good team out and hopefully we can get the result we want. We always have a very young midfield and a very young team at the moment but that does not mean we do not have experience.''

Wenger has been impressed by the pre-season performances of young Welshman Ramsey, whose last game for Cardiff was the FA Cup final at Wembley.

The Arsenal manager sees no reason why Ramsey - who could have joined Manchester United instead of the Gunners - should not take the occasion in his stride.

"If you are a good football player you are a good football player whether it's in the Champions League or in another game,'' he said.

"When you have the ball you make an intelligent decision. If you play against your friends on the beach or in a big game it's exactly the same - if you are a good player you are a good player.''

Wenger, however, maintained "patience'' was the key to Ramsey's continued progression.

"In England we have always to calm things down because after one month of games there is always the media pressure to make quick stars,'' he said.

"Players are young and patient development does not mean you cannot start early - but it is most important to keep developing as a player and that you don't have to worry about too much pressure on your shoulders.''

Wenger knows all of the expectation will be for Arsenal to get a defendable result to take back to the Emirates Stadium.

However, the Frenchman maintains this encounter will be a completely different story to the last time his side lined up against a McClaren side, when Middlesbrough were trashed 7-0 at Highbury during January 2006.

"Every game makes its own history and we just want to be up for it,'' Wenger said. "They are a team who have knocked out Ajax in the qualifiers of the Champions League - that deserves respect.

"We know they have a typical Dutch culture of playing football and keeping the ball very well and therefore we need a good defensive concentration.''

Despite McClaren having parted from the England job under a cloud of disappointment following the defeat to Croatia which ended the Euro 2008 dream on a wet November night at Wembley, Wenger believes the former Middlesbrough coach will benefit from a fresh start.

"I think it was a good move, he maybe needed to get a change from England,'' said Wenger.

"To position yourself as an international coach is always a very good move for the rest of your career.

"It is a little bit similar to what Sir Bobby Robson did when he moved out of the England job.''

The home side will be without Youssouf Hersi who is short of match fitness while Blaise N'Kufo is suspended.

McClaren has described his side as "very big underdogs'' but warned his side would give it a go.

"Arsenal are one of the strongest teams we could have met,'' he said. "They are among the favourites to win the competition.

"But for our young team it will be something special. The young players can get a lot of experience in these big matches. Not only now but with one eye on the future.

"In the two matches against Arsenal we are not just the underdogs, but we are very big underdogs.

"Nobody will expect FC Twente to beat Arsenal. We have nothing to lose.''