ARSENE WENGER has thrown down the gauntlet in the Champions League shootout by roaring: Let’s get out of sight.
Arsenal can strike a huge psychological blow over bitter North London rivals Tottenham in the race for a top-four spot this week.They begin a three-game spell that could see them open up a SEVEN-POINT gap over Spurs, who do not play again until next Sunday.
Ironically that was the buffer Andre Villas-Boas’ side held themselves following their derby-day win last month.
Now the roles could be reversed. Wenger’s in-form men are chasing their fourth successive win when they host Norwich today.
They then host Everton on Tuesday before a trip to Fulham next Saturday.
GUNNERS boss tells his side to concentrate on their own results rather than those of rivals Tottenham
“But we can only focus on what we can do. Tottenham will be hard competition until the end as will Chelsea.
“The only way we can deal with that is to look at ourselves and win our games. It does not matter if Tottenham play or not. We have to win our games.”
Chelsea have stepped on the gas of late while Arsenal have moved smoothly through the gears in recent week But stuttering Spurs appear to be stuck in reverse gear at the worst possible time.
Gunners boss Wenger added: “Yes, experience helps always, particularly a positive experience.
“But now it’s down to being at our best in every game. There’s no room for dropping points.
“You fix yourself a target and if we get there of course I will be happy.”
Arsenal are set to welcome back fit-again England pair Jack Wilshere and Theo Walcott at the Emirates today.
But one player who will not be involved is Andrey Arshavin.
Wenger has confirmed that the £15million Russian misfit will leave in the summer.
He added: “I don’t think he will stay here as he doesn’t play enough.”
The midfielder, 31, who signed from Zenit St Petersburg in January 2009, has seen his chances limited in the final season of his current deal.
He has scored only once all season, in the 6-1 victory over League One Coventry in the Capital One Cup last September.
And he also spent the end of last season on loan at his former club Zenit last year.
Wenger revealed there were no plans to offer the Russian a new deal to stay on and added: “He is at the end of his contract at the end of the season, then he will decide what he will do.”
Wenger, though, praised the efforts of Arshavin, whose last appearance was as a substitute in the 2-1 league defeat at Chelsea on January 20.
He said: “Arshavin has shown 100 per cent commitment at absolutely every session, he has been an example for everybody.
“He has been questioned many times about his commitment.
“But if you saw him every day you would respect him for what he does on a daily basis. He has been absolutely fantastic.”
Arshavin finest hour came when he scored all four of Arsenal’s goals in their 4-4 draw at Liverpool in April 2009, And he also netted a late winner in the memorable Champions League victory over Barcelona at th
No comments:
Post a Comment