Senderos aiming to give Wenger a selection headache

PHILIPPE SENDEROS is ready to show Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger he has got what it takes to become the club’s new Tony Adams.

The 21-year-old looks set for a return to the starting line-up at Everton in the fourth round of the Carling Cup tonight, when the Gunners boss is expected to hand some of his fringe players a chance to impress.

Senderos can count himself somewhat unfortunate not to have already been given an extended run in the side.

With veteran Sol Campbell leaving in the summer, it seemed the improving Swiss international would be a natural replacement to partner Kolo Toure.

However, Senderos spent the opening months of the domestic season working his way back to full fitness after dislocating a shoulder during the World Cup match against South Korea in Hanover, when the centre-back also suffered a facial injury after head-butting Jin-Cheul Choi in the process of scoring.

Fellow Swiss youngster Johan Djourou has proved an able deputy, while the arrival of experienced Frenchman William Gallas, 29, from Chelsea on transfer deadline day gives Wenger another option at the heart of his back four.

Senderos accepts any player in the side has to be there on merit alone, but is determined to leave his manager with a selection headache.

“I am very happy and proud the boss decided to give me the number six shirt — but at the same time the only thing that really counts is how you do on the park,” the Swiss defender said.

Senderos was on the bench for Sunday’s Barclays Premiership match at West Ham, which ended in controversy when Wenger had to be separated from rival manager Alan Pardew after their touch-line bust-up in the wake of Marlon Harewood’s late winner.

The Swiss defender hopes to be able to make up for lost time, with his only first-team appearance so far this season coming in the victory at West Brom in the last round of the Carling Cup.

Wenger, meanwhile, has remained silent on his altercation with Pardew.

The Arsenal manager did not speak to the media directly after Sunday’s game, and with no press conference scheduled ahead of the trip to Merseyside, any comment is unlikely to be forthcoming until after the match at Goodison Park.

Pardew has, though, apologised if his celebrations were “over-zealous”, with the League Managers Association set to attempt mediation.

The Football Association are currently reviewing TV footage before deciding whether to take any action against either man.

Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood, however, insisted the flare-up was “a brief piece of passion” and “it should be passed over as it really is not serious”.