Arsene Wenger on Chu-Young Park, Mikel Arteta and Yossi Benayoun
Written by Jeffrey on September 10, 2011 4:30
Five signings in two days, it is maybe what Arsenal needed after losing to Manchester United at Old Trafford and falling down in the English Premier League table.
Speaking to Arsenal Player ahead of today’s game against Swansea City at the Emirates Stadium, the Frenchman revealed some of the characteristics of three of the five signed players as he started with striker Chu-Young Park who according to the Arsenal boss is a very mobile player who can play alone up front, alongside another striker but also on the wing, if required.
On Mikel Arteta and Yossi Benayoun, the Frenchman explained that the two will bring experience in the Arsenal midfielder, a quality that was missing in his squad but also depth since 19-year old Jack Wilshere and 25-year old Abou Diaby will be out injured for weeks.
Asked during his pre-match press conference if the midfield is too lightweight, Wenger disagreed although he did conclude by saying that what he focuses on is to have a squad made up of fast and agile players who base their game on movement, characteristics that the former Everton and Chelsea men will add to the squad.
On some of the new signings, the manager said:
[Chu-Young Park] can play on his own up front, he can play with another striker, he can play on the flank as well. He’s a very mobile player, the right age for a striker, 26 years old and overall I was very keen to do him because he can play the kind of football we want to play.
[Mikel Arteta and Yossi Benayoun?] [In midfield] we lacked a little bit of experience and we had lost [Cesc] Fabregas and [Samir] Nasri so we wanted as well to bring in some technical players. [Abou] Diaby and [Jack] Wilshere being out, I think that department where we were number-wise and quality-wise we needed players and that’s why I did it.
They are [two players] I rate highly for their technical qualities, they are technically gifted, that’s the game that we want to play so they should integrate well with the team.
[If the midfield is too lightweight?] When you don’t win games people have always assessment and we have to accept that. I don’t think we are too lightweight, I feel that you cannot have all the qualities and our game is more based on movement and these [two] are players who can integrate in our team because they are mobile.



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We are starting the season to day. The previous three games were pre-season games (friendly games).