Arsenal

Arsene Wenger defends Per Mertesacker, Calum Chambers

By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 23 December 2014

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger gives his backing to defensive duo Per Mertesacker and Calum Chambers following recent criticism of the pair.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has leapt to the defence of Per Mertesacker and Calum Chambers following criticism of the pair.

Mertesacker has been heavily scrutinised for his role in Liverpool's 97th-minute equaliser at Anfield on Sunday, with the German ducking as Martin Skrtel rescued a point for his side.

Wenger admitted that he was unsure why the centre-back ducked, but does not believe that it had an impact on whether the ball would have ended up in the back of the net or not.

"I don't know [why he ducked]. Maybe because he sees he hasn't got the ball and somebody jumps over him and it's a reflex. But I don't think he could have got the ball," Wenger told reporters.

"I believe he's on the way up. He had a difficult start to the season but he's been much sharper. Sometimes people are after you just that moment where you are not at your worst.

"He has to get over [being criticised]. Many people had a go at him for the corner but I looked at it and he had no chance to get that ball in the zone where he was."

Meanwhile, Wenger also acknowledged that Chambers had been overworked so far this season due to his side's injury worries at the back.

"For a 19-year-old, he has played too many games. They all hit the wall after 15 to 17 games. You have to give them a breather, let them refresh and get them back again. To have that responsibility in every single game is a lot for a player of that age," he added.

"When [Laurent] Koscielny comes back and [Mathieu] Debuchy being back, we will be more stable. Even in midfield we need to get our players back from injury and to defend better there as well.

"We had no stability at the back and when you look at the number of players who played centre-back this season, it's not easy."

Arsenal are currently sixth in the Premier League table and face Queens Park Rangers at the Emirates on Boxing Day.