Football- Arsenal FC Arsene Wenger to name experienced Arsenal side against Burnley - 'you don’t win with kids any more'

A young Gunners side were thumped by Sheffield Wednesday in the Capital One Cup and Wenger does not want a repeat this weekend

The boss: Wenger is set to go strong at the Emirates

 

Arsene Wenger will field an experienced line-up to face Burnley - after admitting they have already been given a painful cup lesson.

Wenger fielded kids in the Capital One Cup against Sheffield Wednesday and were dumped out so is planning to go near full strength to avoid losing against another Championship outfit.

Gunners boss Wenger is likely to give new £5m signing Mohamed Elneny his full debut while Francis Coquelin could start, David Ospina is due to be in goal and Tomas Rosicky could be on the bench.

Wenger said: “We have learnt something this season, we went to Sheffield Wednesday in the League Cup and got quite a severe defeat. We have to show we have learnt from that.

“I will play quite an experienced team. First of all, we lost last Sunday against Chelsea and it is important not to drop our confidence level too much.

“Second, we want to do well in the FA Cup and you don’t want to miss an opportunity when you play at home against a Championship team and you don’t win with kids any more unfortunately against the

Championship teams. That’s it.”

Wenger has high hopes for Elneny and believes the Egyptian midfielder can be a huge success despite being slightly-built.

Elneny was even compared to France legend Jean Tigana as he believes he is a huge midfield prospect.

Wenger added: “He’s not a monster. Usually middle east people are big stamina, agile, lack a bit power sometimes so he is not a powerhouse, he’s more a mobility player. That is why I think he can suit our game.

Debut: Elneny is set to feature against Burnley

“Winning the ball is not only down to power, it is to switch on at the right moment, it’s a technique. You have players who are muscular who lose fights against small players who are very slim because small players switch it on at the right moment.

“When do you switch your muscle on, when the guy is in a weak position, it
is a real technique. I remember Tigana was 63kgs, a defensive midfielder and he was unbelievable defensively. He had that technique.”