Wenger backs Flam and Fab

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has backed the midfield pairing of Cesc Fabregas and Mathieu Flamini ahead of today's Premiership match with Wigan at the JJB Stadium.

Wenger spoke of Fabregas: "He is still a bit young. There is more to come from him and you want him to show that he is the complete midfielder as he did on Tuesday night in attack and defence. It was a most pleasing performance."

On Flamini, Wenger insisted: "I believe he will stay. He wants to stay, I want him to stay and we have a good understanding. That should be sorted out in March."

Wenger's midfield pairing joy

"They are very mobile going forward and are technically very good. Before we had players more with impact, now their strength is more about ability.

"They have a good understanding, although they are less physically strong than Patrick Vieira and Emmanuel Petit.

"We have built a team, being very restricted with our spending, and you can only gain the reward if you can keep the team together."