Writer: Rocky7 
Date:Friday November 6 2009
Time: 12:09PM
Being Arsenal fans, we've become accustomed to an extensive and constant injury list, and with the games coming thick and fast the chances of more set backs are ever increased.
Usually at this time of year, with Christmas fast approaching (I really need to do some shopping) managers all over the country chop and change their line-ups to ensure their player have the maximum chance of making it through the festive period (unless your name is Rafa of course in which case you do it all year round). However the Arsenal gaffer is unwilling to rotate his central defensive pair after they have seemed to form an instant and formidable partnership.
Thomas Vermaelen, signed for a size-able wad in the summer, has slotted seamlessly into the team, becoming a firm favorite with the fans. And it's surely no coincidence that the arrival of Vermaelan has seen the much maligned William Gallas become the ultimate defensive professional?
Well the Arsenal manager says he is unwilling to break this winning formula for the sake of rest, yet believes that should the worst happen and we lost one of the central pair to injury, that we have sufficient cover in that position.
'They have been exposed much more and they go as well now on international duty after the Wolverhampton game, Senderos is coming back into a good condition, Silvestre is working very hard and looking very good in training, so we are covered but of course, you want to keep everybody in fitness.' said Le Boss
"At the moment, no I am not tempted to rotate. I do not like to rotate too much in central defence because we are in a position where they have a good understanding and every point is vital so it's not worth to take a gamble if I'm not forced to do it.'
Whilst I'm not entirely sure that our central defensive cover is enough to instill players and fans with bucket loads of confidence, I'm definitely with Wenger that there should be no tinkering at this stage of the season.
The pair look so good together they could be mistaken for Starsky and Hutch, Thelma and Louise, Michelangelo and Leonardo (the Turtles not the painters) or Turner and Hooch .... and you know what happens when these famous partners get split up? They get miserable, and pine for each other. So let's keep one of the strongest units I've seen in a long while together for as long as possible.
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