The decision faced by Jack Grealish over his international future may not be Arsène Wenger’s concern, but the Arsenal manager is preparing for next Saturday’s FA Cup final in the knowledge that he poses a potent threat in the colours of Aston Villa.
“Grealish is a natural footballer like England has always produced in its history,” said Wenger, whose phrasing is not likely to have been intended as a judgment on the player’s choice between England and Ireland. “He looks comfortable and can take people on. He has good timing with his passes, is calm and does not look fazed by anything. I don’t know how old he is [Grealish is 19] but he will be top quality.”
Wenger hopes that Arsenal will be similarly unencumbered by fear when they walk out at Wembley and believes victory in Sunday’s final Premier League fixture, at home against West Bromwich Albion, who are unbeaten in five games, would be important for his players’ preparation.
Arsenal have not scored in their last three home matches but, sitting three points and seven goals clear of Manchester United in the Premier League, are under minimal threat of relinquishing third place and their manager is keen to ascribe significance to the visit of Tony Pulis’s side. “The confidence level will come from recent results,” he said. “And the important result will, of course, be from the game against West Brom. So it is vital.
“We have used up our hiccups at home and we want to go out on the final day finishing on a high and sending the fans home in peace. It is also important in the [context of the] Premier League that they go home full of hope.”
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Mathieu Debuchy returned to full training on Friday after lengthy absences but, talking specifically about the unlucky Debuchy, Wenger said that it would be “difficult for a player to play in the Cup final when he has hardly played at all”. Debuchy’s last appearance was in the FA Cup semi-final against Reading, since which he has suffered from a hamstring complaint. He also underwent ankle surgery in September and shoulder surgery in January, and has played 10 league games all season.
Francis Coquelin is far more likely to feature, even if the holding midfielder was rested for Wednesday’s goalless draw with Sunderland in favour of Jack Wilshere, who was given a first start since his own return from injury. The 24-year-old’s Arsenal career seemed to be ebbing away when he was sent on loan to Charlton Athletic in November, but his sudden return to the side a month later showed Wenger that he was ready to play to his own strengths.
“When I took him [in 2008], what I liked is the fact that he wins duels, has strength in the challenge and a strength to read the opponent’s game,” said Wenger. “He lost his way a bit and wanted to be more of a playmaker and I think he lost some time there. Then he came back to what his real identity is.
“He has shown some absolutely remarkable mental strength because he accepted going to Charlton for a month to show he can play. He came back and played.
“If we’d signed him in January for big money, everybody would say it’s a great buy. The fact that it’s not a spectacular buy means it goes a bit under the radar and nobody notices too much. But he’s made a great contribution.
“What’s very interesting is that the ball comes out of his feet quickly. He’s not slow to make the decision. It’s not easy today to find players who have that quality – to win the ball and after that get it out of their feet quickly.”
Coquelin could return to the team on Sunday, with Wenger likely to make a scattering of changes after speaking of “jaded legs” against Sunderland. Tomas Rosicky, who Wenger said on Friday will stay at the club for a further year, is also in contention, but Danny Welbeck remains sidelined by a knee injury and his availability to face Aston Villa will be determined this week.