Football: Chelsea credit wins over Manchester City and Arsenal to squad depth

LONDON (REUTERS) - Two wins in three days against top English clubs are a sign Chelsea have enough squad depth to compete for honours across the board this season, assistant coach Steve Holland said.

Chelsea beat Arsenal 2-0 to ease into the quarter-finals of the League Cup this morning (Singapore time), barely 48 hours after a dramatic Premier League win over fellow title challengers Manchester City.

Of the players who kicked off for Chelsea against their London rivals at the Emirates Stadium, only one - Gary Cahill - was in the starting line-up for Sunday's match.

While Arsenal also fielded a team featuring few first-choice players, Chelsea were able to draft in a string of top-notch internationals.

Spain's Juan Mata and Cesar Azpilicueta made their presence felt with a goal each, while Brazilians David Luiz and Willian also stepped up after starting on the bench on Sunday.

"We do need a squad to compete in the four competitions,"Holland told reporters after Chelsea notched up a sixth win in six matches in October, including two in the Champions League.

"We need everybody and tonight, on the back of Sunday against Manchester City, was great example of players showing they are ready for that challenge."

Wenger, whose team lead the Premier League with Chelsea two points behind in second place, played down suggestions that his squad lacked similar depth.

The Frenchman pointed to injuries which have sidelined three of his top attacking players - Theo Walcott, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Lukas Podolski.

"If you put them in, I think you have a completely different position in the team."

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