Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger admitted that new defenders Andre Santos and Per Mertesacker need time to properly settle down at Arsenal.

Speaking to Arsenal Player ahead of tonight’s Carling Cup game against Shrewsbury Town, the Frenchman explained that the two were not to blame for the conceded goals on Saturday against Blackburn Rovers adding that just like any other new signings they need time to build a strong understanding with the other players and fit in the mechanism of his formation.

Asked about Chu Young Park who is set to feature today, the Arsenal boss declared that the reason why he signed him is because he is good in every area; good in the air, technically gifted, very mobile and one who can play behind the main striker.

Wenger concluded by praising the travelling fans from the weekend, by him described as fantastic as he explained that the team has a good spirit, a good mentality, a good attitude and will surely bounce back after a disappointing start to the season.

On Monday, the manager said:

[If new defenders need time to settle down?] Yes but I believe it’s a little question of time, timing, [Andre] Santos is new, [Per] Mertesacker is new but there were not specially guilty for goals [against Blackburn]. But maybe as a unit we need for time to work, yes.

[Why I went for Park?] He is good in every area. He is good in the air, good technically, he is mobile and that’s why he is an adaptable striker who can play up front behind the striker.

That’s why we went for him. What I like with him is that he is very mobile and that’s the basis of our game.

Again on Saturday in Blackburn there were thousands of Arsenal fans and they were fantastic. We need to be united and I am very grateful for their attitude on Saturday. They were absolutely fantastic.

The team has a good spirit, a good mentality, a good attitude and that will come out longer term. We have had a bad start but I believe we can bounce back and be very strong this season.