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Campbell's chance to prove himself: Wenger

By Simon Baskett
April 25, 2006 09:53 IST

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes defender Sol Campbell has a great chance to prove his class when he returns to the starting line-up for Tuesday's Champions League semi-final against Villarreal.

"It is a good opportunity for him," Wenger told a news conference on Monday. "The timing is right. He has worked hard despite having a troubled season with injuries.

"If you are a big player like Sol Campbell you always want to play in big games.

"He is absolutely ready."

Campbell has been named as a replacement for injured Swiss defender Philippe Senderos in the second leg as Arsenal attempt to keep a clean sheet for a 10th match in succession.

The central defender will be playing with a broken nose after he picked up the latest injury during his first appearance for 2-1/2 months in a 1-1 draw at Portsmouth 12

days ago.

Wenger rejected suggestions that his side would try to defend their lead rather than attempt to extend their 1-0 advantage from the first leg.

"We are a team that is always trying to go forward. We think the best approach to a game is to score goals.

"We have a small advantage after the first leg, psychologically and in terms of the score. But in a competition like this you need to play two good games, we have had one, but we need another one tomorrow night."

Wenger believes that the return of Spanish forward Jose Antonio Reyes, who missed the first leg through suspension, will give the side more options as they seek to earn a place in their first European Cup final.

"Maybe we missed Reyes in the first leg. He is a natural left-footed player and he can deliver the goods for us in games like this."

Simon Baskett
Source: REUTERS
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