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Arshavin's Arsenal career not over - Wenger

Andrei Arshavin has started one of Arsenal's last seven games © Getty Images

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Arsene Wenger has reassured Andrei Arshavin that he is still an important part of the Arsenal squad, despite his recent decision to banish the Russian to the bench.

Arshavin has only started one of Arsenal's last seven games, and that was a Carling Cup tie against Bolton. Wenger has preferred the front three combination of Gervinho, Robin van Persie and Theo Walcott, leaving Arshavin to make an impression with minor late cameos.

The decision to axe the Russia international has coincided with Arsenal's best spell of the season, winning six of seven games in all competitions. As a result, question marks have arisen over Arshavin's future, but Wenger insists he still has an important role to play this season.

"He's not a back-up player but at the moment he doesn't play," Wenger told the club's official website. "Maybe he will play on Saturday.

"I feel sorry for every player who doesn't play but it is part of our job. Competition is part of our job and you must accept that in some periods of your career somebody can get in front of you."

Arsenal prepare to meet Fulham at Emirates Stadium this weekend, in front of the ESPN cameras, and Wenger used Arshavin as an example for why he does not plan to spend money during the January transfer window.

"I care about every player and I feel sorry for the players who do not get the satisfaction of playing," the Frenchman said. "But at the same time in the press conference people say: 'Your squad is not big enough, why don't you buy more players?'

"It's difficult to find the right number of players you can have in the squad but in a season like England you need the players you have. And we have a big squad.

"A manager can only choose and make one decision. You can only play with 11. But I'm happy with the squad I have and I want every player to be happy."

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