Wenger trusts young Guns to have Dutch courage

ARSENE WENGER has no doubt Aaron Ramsey and his fellow young Gunners will be up to the challenge of tonight’s Champions League qualifier first leg against FC Twente in Arnhem.

The Wales U21 international — signed from Cardiff in a £5million (€6.3m) deal during the summer — is set for a dream debut at the Gelredome because of injuries in central midfield, with Euro 2008 winner Cesc Fabregas the latest casualty after damaging a hamstring on Monday.

Ramsey, still only 17, is expected to line up alongside 20-year-old Brazilian Denilson, while Swiss defender Johan Djourou, 21, will partner captain William Gallas because Kolo Toure has aggravated a muscle in his hip.

Despite missing so many players from what would be his preferred starting XI — Abou Diaby, Samri Nasri, Tomas Rosicky and Eduardo are also sidelined — the Arsenal manager remains confident his youngsters can overcome the Dutch outfit, coached by former England manager Steve McClaren.

“The level of focus within the side is very high and everyone will want to do well,” said Wenger, whose side reached the Champions League final in 2006.

“We still have a very good team out and hopefully we can get the result we want.

“We always have a very young midfield and a very young team at the moment but that does not mean we do not have experience.”

The Arsenal manager sees no reason why Ramsey should not take tonight’s occasion in his stride.

“If you are a good football player you are a good football player whether it’s in the Champions League or in another game,” he said.

Wenger knows all of the expectation tonight will be for Arsenal to get a defendable result to take back to the Emirates Stadium.

However, the Frenchman maintains this encounter will be a “completely different story” to the last time his side lined up against a McClaren side, when Middlesbrough were trashed 7-0 at Highbury during January 2006.

“Every game makes its own history and we just want to be up for it,” Wenger said.

“They are a team who have knocked out Ajax in the qualifiers of the Champions League — that deserves respect.”

McClaren has described his FC Twente side as “very big underdogs.”

“Arsenal are one of the strongest teams we could have met,” he said. “They are among the favourites to win the competition. But for our young team it will be something special. The young players can get a lot of experience in these big matches. Not only now but with one eye on the future.

“Nobody will expect FC Twente to beat Arsenal. We have nothing to lose.”

Twente’s Australia midfielder Luke Wilkshire is also wary of Arsenal’s quality.

He said: “At the draw it soon became clear we would get a strong opponent and Arsenal is certainly that.

“They are one of Europe’s best and they will be two very difficult matches for us. Of course we are the underdogs but in football anything is possible.”

The home side will be without Youssouf Hersi who is short of match fitness while Blaise N’Kufo is suspended.