Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger, has admitted that his team needs to stand up against the big boys in the league, if they are to offer a serious challenge for the title this season. He said that in the last few years his team has not been able to get the
desired results against Manchester United and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Chelsea-c38786. Against the two title contenders, Arsenal has not had a great record in recent times; in the last 18 matches against the two, the gunners have lost 14 and managed to get just 2 wins- a record which Wenger
believes has to change if they are to end the trophy drought at the club.
The big chance for Wenger’s team to get back on track is on Monday against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Arsenal has not been able to get a win against Chelsea in the last 5 games. Chelsea, in the process, has knocked in 13 goals.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Didier-Drogba-c11044, the big Ivorian striker for Chelsea, has been the most lethal weapon for the blues in these games. The African has scored 13 times in the 13 games against Arsenal and has not been on the losing side against Arsenal since joining Chelsea.
The stats of these big games are clear evidence as to why Arsenal has not been able to make a serious bid for the title in the last 5 seasons. Arsene Wenger, though, does not bother himself with past records too much, even though he admits that in the past
his team has not been at par with the city rivals. He added that it is this game that they need to focus on and should not worry about the statistics.
"Of course we have a point to prove given our record against the big teams. You have to show that you are up to the level expected from you in these games”.
"That's the obstacle to get over. At home in the big games, you want to win, We don't really think about the record because the statistics are history and every game is a new start”.
Wenger said that at the end of the day it is 11 players against 11 and whoever can perform better on the day would win. Wenger once again played the young team card and said that one should not forget that he has a young team under his wing, and they needed
time to get settled as a good team.
Reflecting back on the 2006-07 season, the French manager said that his team won the big games in that season but ended up losing the smaller ones which cost them the title. So it really is not definite that if one wins the big games the title would be assured.
The Gunner’s manager reiterated that his team is currently in a good position and has a great chance of winning the league. He said that he has seen his players grow in stature and confidence over the last couple of seasons, and now they look all set to
take the next step and should be able to beat teams like Chelsea and Manchester United.
Wenger, who was the man in charge when Arsenal won the league without losing a single game back in 2004, said that there is no longer a gap of class or skill between his team and the others in the league. He said that with the experience that his players
have accumulated in the last couple of seasons, they should be able to mix it with the best and match them stride by stride.
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