Arsenal face striking dilemma for Champions League opener

Gervinho scores Arsenal's fifth goal of the game. Photo credit: Adam Davy/EMPICs

by Paul Chronnell Monday, September 17, 2012
11:43 AM

Gunners boss spoilt for choice as Arsenal head to French champions Montpellier

Arsene Wenger admitted he is spoilt for choice up front and is undecided who should play the striking role as Arsenal switch their attentions to the Champions League with a trip to Montpellier on Tuesday.

The Gunners boss gave Gervinho a first start leading the line against Southampton on Saturday, and the Ivorian responded with a brace in the 6-1 win.

But with Olivier Giroud desperate to face his old club, and Lukas Podolski another who can play the furthest forward in the 4-2-3-1 formation, Wenger has plenty of options.

“What I will do on Tuesday night I honestly don’t know,” said Wenger, who indicated that Giroud may again be rested for his return to his former club.

“I felt that he is under much pressure at the moment and sometimes to get a little breather is good. I just felt that the time has come for him to not be under too much pressure.”

Wenger substituted both Gervinho and Podolski, and admitted that he had considered playing the German as the lone striker against Southampton only to change his mind.

“He is physically strong and he is a fantastic finisher,” said Wenger of his £10.9m summer purchase from Cologne.

“I had a little hesitation on Saturday to play him at centre-forward because I had played him only once there. He gives us a balance on the left and I didn’t want to destroy that because he did well at Liverpool.”

The Gunners have trained at London Colney on Monday morning and will fly to France in the afternoon, from where Wenger will give a press conference around 5.30pm (BST).