Arsene Wenger has every confidence veteran Sol Campbell can
produce the 'big game' required should he be needed to stand in for
Thomas Vermaelen and shackle Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney
at Emirates Stadium on Sunday.
Belgium defender Vermaelen, who has impressed since his
£10million summer transfer from Ajax, is struggling to be fit to
face the Barclays Premier League champions after picking up a knee
injury in the midweek goalless draw at Villa Park.
Former Gunners captain Campbell came on as Vermaelen's
replacement to make his first league appearance since rejoining the
Gunners on a short-term deal.
Wenger has no doubt the former England centre-back can step in
again should he be called for.
Changing of the guard: Sol Campbell replaces Thomas
Vermaelen at Villa Park
'Sol is ready, if he has recovered well. I have to assess him
today, but normally he will play if Vermaelen doesn't play,' said
Wenger, whose side are now back in third place, two points behind
leaders Chelsea following the midweek games.
The good news we have on Vermaelen is that there is no fracture.
We have to assess his knee today, there is still a small chance
that he plays on Sunday.
'We will do the maximum to get him fit, but at the moment it
looks unlikely. It should be a very short-term injury, and at the
latest he should be ready for the Chelsea game.'
Campbell, 35, led the Gunners through their unbeaten league
championship campaign of 2003/2004, when rivalry between Arsenal
and United was at its height.
Wenger added: 'Sol has experience and he likes the big games. He
can turn up if needed and experience helps in these kind of games.
Sol can cope with Rooney.
'I believe Sol has worked very hard and credit to him, every day
he was motivated to push himself and he is quite fit, he looks
fit.'
Red devil: Chris Smalling will join Manchester
United in the summer
Meanwhile Wenger admitted he was disappointed to have missed out
on the capture of defender Chris Smalling.
Manchester United won the race to land the highly-rated
20-year-old centre-half from Fulham, who plucked him from
non-league Maidstone.
Despite his disappointment at being unable to convince the
youngster to come to the Emirates Stadium, as he had done with
United target Aaron Ramsey, Wenger believes Smalling has a bright
future.
'Manchester United got Smalling in the end. I am sorry because
we were very close to getting him and we were on the case very
early,' said the Gunners boss. 'I wish the player well.
'At the end of the day it is important he has a good career. In
both clubs he has a good chance to make a great career. The most
important thing is he does that.'
