We warmed up for the game in ideal style after beating Bayern Munich 2-0 in a crucial Champions League group stage match in midweek to keep alive our hopes of qualifying for the knockout stages.
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Wales had secured their place at the Euro 2016 finals three days before playing Andorra on 13 October, with Israel’s 2-1 defeat by Cyprus sending Chris Coleman’s side through despite a 2-0 loss in Bosnia-Herzegovina.
“Before, maybe, when we were not dominating completely the game, we were a bit insecure”.
“With the [last] global break, the fact that he played against Andorra certainly cost Bale and him as well”, Wenger said.
“Sometimes I think he sacrifices himself for the team, and I think his talent is exceptional”.
After the loudest Hey Jude Giroud chant I’ve ever heard on Tuesday after Giroud scored against Bayern, I just feel he’ll be buzzing to get back on the pitch at the Emirates and remind Gunners fans what he can do. “Realistically, the real breather he could have had was against Andorra”.
“You know that if you want to play at the top of the Premier League you want to do well in the big games at home”, Wenger said.
David Ospina and Mikel Arteta remain on the treatment table, along with long-term absentees Jack Wilshere, Tomas Rosicky and Danny Welbeck. After making his senior Everton debut in May, Galloway – with the likes of Leighton Baines sidelined – has gone on to feature in nine out of 11 games for the Toffees this term, as well as being involved with England Under-21s. “It is more down to a good co-operation between clubs and countries that is important”.
Arsenal are now tied with Manchester United and Manchester City on £9.9m while Chelsea are on £10.2m following their draw with Dynamo Kiev.
“You look at what Arsenal have achieved in the last few weeks and we know we are going to find a team probably in their best moment of confidence and belief”, said the Spaniard. “But I think that you transform when you cross the white line, you’re not the same person as off it. I give no quarter and I ask for none”.
And Wenger was keen to point out in the build-up to this game that his side are now more mature and less fragile than the team of two years ago that failed to sustain their title challenge.
“On Tuesday night we based our game on counter-attack and it almost worked and in the last part of the game we based it on longer ball”, Wenger said.
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Walcott was on the bench and did not come on.
