Premier League news: Arsene Wenger urges Arsenal to toughen up against big guns
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger admits that it’s high time Arsenal step up their game against other potential title contenders in the Premier League.
In the last couple of seasons, the Gunners have been more than impressive against mid-table teams but have failed to grind out results against their main rivals. Stats reflect that Wenger’s team have lost 14 of their last 18 encounters
against Manchester United and Chelsea, winning only two matches since 2007. Interestingly, that was the year then-captain http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Thierry-Henry-c34918, Arsenal’s all-time highest goal-scorer, left the club for Barcelona.
"Of course we have a point to prove given our record against the big teams,” says Wenger. “You have to show that you are up to the level expected from you in these games. That's the obstacle to get over.”
This Sunday, it will be Chelsea knocking on Arsenal’s door. The Blues visit the Emirates Stadium on Monday night, ideally looking to make it six wins in a row. Having scored 13 goals in their last five games against their North
London rivals, Carlo Ancelotti’s men have earned their bragging rights to being the new kings of North London.
The Chelsea threat to look out for will be http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Didier-Drogba-c11044. The number 11 has scored 13 goals in his last 13 games against Arsenal and has yet to taste defeat in the meeting. “Drogba...
again!” seems to be a recurring line among commentators whenever the game witnesses a goal.
While it is always an added burden to play against big teams who are standing in your way to the league title, Wenger believes that playing at home adds to the pressure. “At home in the big games, you want to win,” he says.
However, the Arsenal manager was quick to express the belief that while post-2007 history may point due south for his team, every new game is a fresh start.
"We don't really think about the record because the statistics are history and every game is a new start,” said Wenger. “Every player has lost a game before he has won one. One day, he wins. We have to make sure for us that day
is on Monday.”
And to do that, the Frenchman thinks all his team needs is a bit of faith.
"It's good to feel that there is no difference between both teams but it's better to beat them and we are conscious that we have to add something that is a cold, determined attitude and belief that was missing a little bit,” said
Wenger.
Some might argue that Wenger is being a touch optimistic here, especially given Arsenal’s defensive woes: injured http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Chelsea-c38786 and is expected to continue his stay on the sidelines till the
end of January. However, Cesc Fabregas and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Robin-van-Persie-c31380 have been given a clean bill of health and look set to start together for the first time since August this year.
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