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Wenger: 'It Could Be A Tight Fight'

Arsene Wenger has stopped just short of declaring the upcoming period of the season as 'squeaky bum time', but has suggested the fight over top 4 places will extend outside of North London. A point separates Spurs and Arsenal- albeit Spurs have a game in hand tonight at Upton Park- ahead of next Sunday's North London derby. But Wenger thinks Chelsea and even Manchester City are within reach too.

Chelsea are only two points above Arsenal, with City considerably further ahead nine points above the Gunners, 'I'm not sure it will only be a fight with Tottenham,' Wenger said. 'I'm not sure the other places are not reachable.

'Chelsea are just ahead and even Man City is not out of reach. It could be a tight fight until the end.'

The Gunners boss conceded that Arsenal were nervous in their late 2-1 win over Aston Villa, but said that the points were all important, 'I hope this gives us a bit more quietness for us to prepare our next game. It was a very important day for Arsenal Football Club,' Wenger said.

'I am very happy for the players because they have a good attitude and want to do well.

'We went through some difficult times so it was important first to show that we are united, determined and focused to win the game, and we were.

'We were a bit nervous - I concede that - because we are a lot under pressure, we had our backs to the wall and had to win the game.'

'We hit the wall twice in one week. When you drive with a car you hit first time, you have an accident at 100 miles an hour. You say 'Okay, we go again.' You hit it again three days later. You will then drive a little bit more cautiously. That's exactly how it is. It's exactly like that.

'What is important now is that we can focus again on football.'

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Writer: Tim Stillman

Date:Monday February 25 2013

Time: 8:59AM

Your Comments

I think he suggested that City were catchable before they played Chelsea. The outcome of that game made Chelsea more catchable than City. Can we gain 10 points more than City out of the next 33? Not impossible but definitely improbable. He's right that it will be tight though.

Amos.

That’s a very fair point. Chelsea are definitely catchable, useless to rue what could have been but an equaliser against them at Stamford Bridge would really have made things interesting. Rafa isn’t going to be there next season and he’s had the effrontery to suggest John Terry is anything other than infallible overlord of the team, Lampard continues to just hump the ball at goal on sight in his quest to prove he’s worth a fat contract. Not beyond the realms of reason to suggest the Chelsea players might stage another coup like they did with AVB. We have to make sure we capitalise if they do fall away. But this is the stage of the season I love, when you’re not just supporting your own team but all of the teams that play your rivals too. Starting with West Ham tonight!

Little Dutch

Could also be Arsenal and Chelsea scrapping for 4th if Spuds win their next two games. Arsenal must win at the Lane and that won't be easy. Amazing how if any top team loses you simply don't want to play them next week. How true is that of United. Why do Arsenal always have to go through a crisis in confidence? We are so slow to recover from set backs. That's our problem under Wenger and has been even in his glory years!

Trennon

It might be more prudent for Wenger to get the next two league games against Spurs and Everton out of the way before looking up the table to second spot. Lose to both of these and you are back in 6th, and with what looks to be an almost naield on exit from the CL in a couple of weeks, do you think your demoralised squad will have the stomach for a fight? Not seen a great deal of fighting spirit from Wenger's teams in the past, why should that change now?

fifthcolumnblue

No need to be so defensive filthycolumn. He only said 'even City were not out of reach' , with the emphasis on even, when you were just 6 points ahead - mathematically not unreasonable and hardly a statement of conviction.

Amos.

Irons irons irons irons irons

shewore

Can't stomach this new breed of Arsenal support that thinks it will be a good thing finishing outside the top 4. All that will do is take away 30 million from any potential transfer funds to cover the shortfall. It won't be the end of Wenger. I wonder what would happen if Arsenal supporters started supporting. Now there's a novel idea!

Trennon

Too great a sense of entitlement for that Trennon. They have a right to create as hostile and negative an atmosphere as possible as we pay the highest ticket prices in the land dontcha know?

Amos.

Not sure about the choice of Article picture. What has HRM got to do with this? Honest question, by the way.

Naijagunner

She's an Arsenal supporter and she hates Chelsea and Tottenham as is recorded in the national anthem.

Amos.

"Not seen a great deal of fighting spirit from Wenger's teams in the past" - invincibles, for a reference to the past; and this season, only one team has scored more goals in the last ten minutes of a league game than Arsenal. We've also had plenty of shocking first-halfs that have needed unbelievable second-half performances to dig ourselves out of (see 4-0 down at Reading for an example, or basically any other game we've won this year!). What we haven't had, as Wenger has said and as Amos and Trennon allude to above, is a confident team.

damiano_tommassi

Naija - we have a select database of pictures to use on the site, you can't just go round downloading any old picture off the net and sticking them up there. Sometimes we get bored of using the same pic over and over so stick random stuff up there.

Rocky7

Lol, Amos.

Naijagunner

We dd come back from a pretty hocking start to finish 3rd last season, having gone out of the CL at the 2nd Round stage (same as this year) and the F.A. Cup at the 5th Round (same as this year) and the League Cup at QF stage (same as this year).

Little Dutch

damiano_tommassi

(sorry for the triple-post; no idea why that happened, and it's clearly not interesting enough to post three times!)

damiano_tommassi

Assuming you mean "confidence" team, as we're everything but confident at the moment. Trennon, where you there at the end of Terry Neil's reign? not exactly "new breed" now, is it?

shewore

(sorry for the triple-post; no idea why that happened, and it's clearly not interesting enough to post three times!)

damiano_tommassi

Confidence is very important and is something you gain from sustaining a good run of form over a period. If an average side gets the luck of the draw and has a long run of easy fixtures, for instance, it is possible to build up a head of steam and be difficult to beat by the time the big sides come calling. Confidence (a lack of it) is why our forwards appear rushed, where composure will produce better results. It is the reason Bayern played with an assurance we couldn't muster. Wenger is right but it is a point that has been made severally on this site. We need to muster a good run.

Naijagunner

If you look at our league results, we are on a good run - we're just not that confident at the moment, what would really help assert ourselves, is to go to the lane, and play them off the park and win - that's what we need to do. A win there is massive.

shewore

Thanks Rocky. Just thought a picture with HRM over a topic about anything "tight" just didn't gel. ;-)

Naijagunner

Spurs fan here, I come in peace, I'm a FOOTBALL fan that doesn't hate Arsenal, been to Highbury many times in years gone by. Some sensible discussion here, yes it's going to be a close and interesting finish, I don't think ManC will be caught now, Arsenal, Spurs and Chelsea fight for the two CL places remaining. - SHEWORE, bit optimistic of you I think, "play us off the park", lol, I don't think so, this isn't the "old" spurs that used to collapse at end of season, AVB has done wonders with the mental strength of the team as well as improving the general play. We are getting stronger in all departments as the season progresses. I honestly think AVB is a very good manager and sacking him will come back and bite Abramovich in the bum.

Hot_Spur

God Save Our Gracious Queen
She loves the Arsenal Team
God Save Our Queen
She really hates West Ham
Chelsea and Tottenham
She's a gooner through and through
God Save Our Queen

The 'tight' theme might gel better if it ever became public knowledge that the Royal family probably don't pay the full ticket price

Amos.

It didn't look as though you would collapse last season either Hot Spur. Much could depend on tonight's game. If Spurs win that they won't have quite the same 'need' to win the NLD that we would have. If they lose then a point at WHL won't be a disaster for us. It's going to be tight for sure.

Amos.

Makes sense, Amos. ROTFL! I have heard it said that "Wenger is a tight b-------d! Just because he Won't spend some money. They would get along, eh.

Naijagunner

Amos - last seasons collapse was mainly Harry's fault for two reasons. First he failed to rotate players that were clearly knackered from playing too many games, secondly he lost focus when he was touted for the England job. This year is totally different, AVB has been using the whole squad, non of the players look knackered and as far as I know, AVB is not being touted for the Portugese job, lol.

Hot_Spur

Well, we'll just have to wait and see how it pans out on the day. It is going to be a very gripping game, to be sure. Take note though, that the excuses have been going on for the collapse each year, for 18 years, or so.

Naijagunner

Naijagunner - Yes but we didn't have AVB in those years, he is the difference. I believe that at last we have a top class manager. If we win tonight all the pressure is on Arsenal and Chelsea, that makes a difference as well.

Hot_Spur

True it is very optimistic considering we haven't won in the league there since Adebayor's strikes. I personally don't think we have the confidence, or strength of mind to play you off the park - that and our ability is similar if not a little weaker than yours - i'm just hoping tbh.

shewore

Like I said, we wait and see. Meanwhile, I shall be rooting fr the Irons tonight. Wouldn't put it past big Sam to do a job on you guys.

Naijagunner

Well I guess it's your privilage to dream, we'll see !!

Hot_Spur

It suddenly looks like a really exciting race. First things first, though, catch the Spuds, consolidate and then set our sights on Chelski. I don't think second is now out of the question, but it is a long shot and I feel it depends on how much the City players want to fight for it. @ hot_spur - true, you didn't have AVB last year, but crucially, we still have AW this year. Well said naijagunner earlier. We fight back and also we have the best/second best away record - that shows character. Confidence is built on results, which come with hard work and bravery.

FunGunner

Love that national anthem, can't think why it isn't sung more often.

FunGunner

Seems a pointless statement to make. Chelsea, Spurs and Arsenal are so close on points that only City have any real advantage. Everton are not out of it yet. So any one of four teams COULD finish second.

jod

jod - as pointless as anything most managers or politicians say on any given day, really; like Laudrup saying he's proud of his players and pleased to have won a cup. "WOW, no, really? you're pleased to have won??". Journalists ask 76 stupid/obvious/pointless questions every day, the manager's choice is to respond or be a dick and say nothing. Always remember, these things are answers to (stupid) questions; Wenger doesn't write his own articles and submit them to the press.

damiano_tommassi

FunGunner - "Catch spuds first?" If we win tonight you have to catch Chelsea first, spuds will be third.

Hot_Spur

Spuds have a bit more about them this season. I'm not sure they're about to implode this time round.

Wyn Mills

They have turned into a one man team, though.

Naijagunner

Sometimes it only takes one. We had RVP last season. The derby this weekend is going to be seismic.

Wyn Mills

I can't agree more.

Naijagunner

Naijagunner - No team is a one man team, it takes 11 players. The same could have been said about you last year with RvP, without all his goals you would never have got 3rd and he's doing the same this year for ManU, are they a one man team? It doesn't matter who scores the goals, it's still a team effort.

Hot_Spur

Anyway the gap is still 4 points, could be 7 by Sunday evening. :-)

Hot_Spur

Hmmm. What surprises me is how a whole horde of spud flies have not come on here, buzzing about. I do miss that ;-)

Naijagunner

@ Hot_Spur - Spurs are third now. When I wrote my post, you were fourth.

FunGunner

FunGunner - Yes ok I accept that. Lets hope it's a good game on Sunday, it's clearly a massive game for both teams. I suppose a draw would be a better result for spurs than for Arsenal. Chelsea play West Brom which is a potential banana skin, there are no easy games in the PL these days.

Hot_Spur

Naijagunner - "Spud flies" lol, I gotta say I have never understood the "hate" thing with some rival fans. In the past I have attended games at most of the London clubs grounds and I don't mean just when spurs were playing there. I am a football fan, I like to watch good football, obviously I'm very happy when it's spurs playing it but I can still appreciate another team when they play good football, whether it's Arsenal, Chelsea or any other team. What many fans don't seem to get is that their favourite team exists because of football, not the other way round !!

Hot_Spur

I just have one question. How do we stop Gareth bale?

Sajit

You can't. If defenders go tight to him he will skip past them, if they hold back he will produce goals such as the two against West Ham. It's a case of damned if you do and damned if you don't.

Hot_Spur

I wouldn't say Bale is unstoppable even tho he is in the form of his life at the moment. I think you need someone who can match him for stregth and physically first but obviously there is more to it. Does Bale still play on the left side and does that mean he could be up against Jenkinson on Sunday? If so, then it's going to be a huge test for our right back.

bowiecokemirror

bowie - He starts on the left but once the game kicks off he has a free role, he pops up everywhere which makes him impossible to mark. Some teams have tried to double or treble mark him but that doesn't work either because it pulls too many defenders out of position. He's a nightmare for defences.

Hot_Spur

Sunday is one that Wenger absolutely has to set up to do a job on Bale, none of this "we play our own way" bollox, we're not that good anymore, we need to be extremely organised and worth on nullifying their strengths

shewore

shewore - I understand your reasoning and sentiment but how do you "do a job" on a player that's so elusive? Other teams have tried all sorts to stop him, he's impossible to mark as he is all over the place, even with two or three defenders in front of him he finds a way of creating enough space to do damage. If defenders lunge into a tackle they either commit a foul in a dangerous area or if no foul he skips past them and leaves them for dead. He's a nightmare for defenders. Anyway, lets hope it's a good game whoever wins. I guess a draw would suit spurs more than you guys, you really need to win.

Hot_Spur

Wenger: “Always the same – focus on our strengths and forget about your opponent. We don’t plan for anybody. He’s not the subject of our worry for the next two or three days. We just want to prepare. We have great players in our team and it would be a complete mistake to focus on any player from Tottenham.”

Wyn Mills

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Wenger: 'It Could Be A Tight Fight'

Writer: Tim Stillman

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