Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger defended his squad selection after the game against Leyton Orient as he explained how sometimes a “breather” is required.

Speaking in his post-match press conference, the Frenchman explained how his side played a lot of games in the last three months and how rotation is inevitable. On the performance of midfielder Andrey Arshavin, the Arsenal boss said that the Russian is finally coming back into form with the goal the only missing piece of his game.

Asked about Jonathan Tehoue who equalised for the home side, Wenger confessed he was a new face, a player he never heard of before as he added how Leyton Orient were dangerous whenever on the ball in the final 20 minutes of the game.

After the 1-1 draw, the Frenchman said:

We [even] left a few players at home [today]. It’s just sometimes, mentally, a breather would not be bad. Since the beginning of December we have played every three days.

Sometimes, to give a week where we can give a breather to the players would not be bad. You have to give credit to Leyton Orient today. You could feel that it was about scoring the second goal or not making a defensive mistake and they took advantage of it.

[Andrey Arshavin] is coming back into form. What is missing is a goal to get completely back to full confidence. But he is lively and dangerous.

No, I don’t know [Jonathan Tehoue]. I saw him when he came on, I have never heard of him before! If they did not start him maybe they had a plan to defend up front with Revell. But when he came on they went to a more 4-4-2 shape. Of course they had the chance before when Squillaci was hit on the head and they looked dangerous whenever we lost the ball in the final 20 minutes.