Tuesday, 30th October, 2012
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has stressed that he will be taking the club’s League Cup clash against Reading this evening seriously.
Wenger was quite open just a few days ago in admitting that the League Cup comes well down his list of priorities – however, the Gunners boss has now clarified those comments, insisting that, while he may make changes due to the busy Premier League and Champions League schedule, he will not dismiss the domestic cup competition.
And the Frenchman has promised the club’s fans they will see a team fighting hard against Reading.
"Having a ‘priority’ does not mean something else is not important and you neglect it", he told Arsenal’s official site, adding "but you have to go step by step.
"We fight as hard as we can to stay in all the competitions and if you have to make a choice you make it as late as possible.
"The Capital One Cup comes in a period where you have to make a decision sometimes, as it is a time when we also have the league and the Champions League.
relatedNewsStory"I gave a frank and honest opinion about where the priorities are. But you want to do well in all the competitions in which you play."
Wenger will be forgiven by Arsenal fans for fielding a weakened side against Reading, due to the huge week of games coming up for the Gunners.
Arsenal face Manchester United at the weekend in what is a key Premier League match, while they follow that up with a visit to Germany to play Schalke, who beat them 2-0 at the Emirates Stadium last week in the Champions League.
And so, while Wenger would surely love to progress against Reading, he will understandably rank clashes against Manchester United and Schalke higher.
