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The fourth is with us! Podolski and Giroud lift Arsenal as Wenger gambles on old boys
ARSENE Wenger hailed his golden oldies as Arsenal moved back above Everton in the race for fourth with a 3-1 win over West Ham.
Lukas Podolski scored twice either side of a wonder goal from Olivier Giroud after West Ham had taken the lead through Matt Jarvis at the Emirates. Wenger picked his oldest starting XI in the Premier League since May 2003 with an average age of 29 years 188 days
“It was a gamble,” admitted Wenger. “But I said before the game that it was one of the oldest teams I’ve ever played at Arsenal since I’ve been here. I trusted the experience of the players because it was an unusual around-30 team, and that experience, of course, helps when you are a little bit backs against the wall.”
Giroud celebrated his goal by kissing the black armband the players wore in memory of the Hillsborough victims. “I heard a few days ago about Hillsborough and I was sensitive to it,” said Giroud.
“I just wanted to pay homage to them – dedicate my goal to them and so it was normal for me to think of their families."
I said before the game that it was one of the oldest teams I’ve ever played at Arsenal since I’ve been here
Wenger said: “Olivier is a great guy, with a great mentality. He has gone through a difficult period as you know.
“At half-time he was very down because he missed a great chance in the first half. But he responded very well in the second, because he is a mentally strong guy.”
The players believe they will have to win their final four games to clinch a place in the Champions League.
Wenger said he was relieved that Jarvis did not go down for the ‘penalty’ when challenged by Bacary Sagna.
“I am grateful,” said Wenger. “I don’t think it was a penalty.”