Gunner do it again: Arsenal have advantage over Spurs on the run-in says Wenger

28 Mar 2013 22:30

Tottenham blew 13-point lead last season as arch-rivals qualified for the Champions League instead of them - and a repeat is on the cards

History repeating? AVB's Spurs could have gone 10 points clear of Wenger's Arsenal three weeks ago but may be just one ahead of them by Saturday night

Paul Gilham/Getty

Arsene Wenger has turned up the heat on Tottenham by insisting his Arsenal side have got the edge over their bitter rivals.
Wenger's men can move within one point of their North London neighbours this weekend, and Tottenham are showing signs of performing another end-of-season collapse.
Spurs blew a 13-point lead over Arsenal last season to miss out on the Champions League, and could have gone 10 points ahead of the Gunners earlier this month if they had won at Liverpool.
Instead, two successive defeats have given fans of Andre Villas-Boas’ club another case of the of the wobbles.
Wenger insists his players have the experience, confidence and determination to leave the White Hart Lane club once again minding the gap, as Arsenal look to finish above their arch-rivals for an 18th year running.
Ahead of a weekend that sees Arsenal entertain relegation-threatened Reading and Spurs visit Swansea, Wenger said: “We have experience of a few years. We have a special desire to do it together.
“That’s a good opportunity for us because we are back with a very good chance to do it (finish top four). We want to grab this chance.
“We just want to continue our form. Bayern and Swansea is a good inspiration to continue our run-in. There are nine games to go. We play five at home and four away.
“With the form we have shown, at Bayern and at Swansea, I think we have a very good chance to finish in the top four.
“We know that if we are consistent, we will do it. We do not focus on Tottenham at all. We focus on the way we want to play and on our results. If we are consistent in the last nine games, we will do it.”
Arsenal’s run-in includes just one fixture against a team currently above them - Manchester United, who visit the Emirates next month.
Tottenham’s trip to Wales is followed by tricky-looking games against Everton, Chelsea, Manchester City and they are also still involved the Europa League.
Wenger believes his players can get on a roll in the remaining matches - and should not limit their ambitions for the run-in.
He added: “Honestly, we don’t have any speculation on any weakness of our opponent. We just think there is a number of wins you want. It can be to get in front of them or anybody else.
“Nobody is out of reach - apart from Manchester United.
“I haven’t seen any kind fixtures since the start of the season. The results in the Premier League have shown that. When you fight against a team who fights not to go down in the Premier League, you prepare yourself to be at your best, knowing that it can be very difficult.
“What we want is to be inspired by our last two games and go into the next one with the same attitude, and I’m sure we will.”

Royal we: Nigel Adkins will manage Reading for the first time at Arsenal

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 Wenger admitted his players are under pressure to deliver - a situation they have not always handled well this season.
The Frenchman believes now is the time they will show their mettle but knows Reading will not make it easy for them - especially with a new manager, Nigel Adkins, in charge for the first time.
Wenger added: “You want me to say we are under pressure, and I say yes.
"We want to use this pressure in a positive way, that means as a stimulating incitement to play our best football. When you speak about maturity, that is where we can show that we have maturity.
“When a new manager takes charge, there’s always concentration and hope. I think Brian [McDermott] did an excellent job there, similar to Adkins at Southampton. He [Adkins] got a chance again.
“It’s sad to see Brian McDermott go, but we will be on our toes and know that we play against a team that fights not to go down.
"We fight to be in the top four and therefore it’s just as important that we focus on what we want to do.”
* ABOU DIABY has been ruled out of action for nine months – and that could spell the end of his Arsenal career.
The injury-plagued midfielder suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during training on Wednesday.
Gunners boss Arsene Wenger had already warned Diaby that this season would be make or break for him.

Jinxed: Will luckless Diaby ever wear the Arsenal shirt again?

Mike Hewitt

 But injured England midfielder Jack Wilshere will give Arsenal a huge boost by returning to training on Monday.
Wenger said: “Jack will start his first run outside on Monday. He works very hard inside in the gym but it’s not the same.” -------- Mirror Football