Arsene Wenger insists there are plenty of reasons to be cheerful
despite Arsenal's atrocious start to the Premiership season.
One point from their opening two games represents the Gunners'
worst opening to a top- flight campaign in 14 years.
Although they do have a match in hand, Arsenal are already eight
points adrift of early pacesetters Manchester United and with
continuing uncertainty surrounding the futures of key duo Ashley
Cole and Jose Antonio Reyes, there appears to be little immediate
cause for optimism at the Emirates Stadium.
Wenger though can see positive signs. And he has words of
reassurance for those Arsenal fans wondering how their club can
balance the £357million cost of their immaculate new home with
maintaining a squad capable of mounting a plausible title
threat.
"We have only played two matches," he said.
"We will come back into the race, don't worry.
"We always knew we could suffer a little bit after the World Cup,
especially because we had to play the Champions League
qualifiers.
"We have had a disappointing start but there is a lot of hope in
the way we play and mentally, we have to be strong enough to push
that through."
Wenger could legitimately point to bad luck at crucial times as a
factor in his side's first defeat to City since 1991.
But that would be to ignore some glaring inadequacies, notably a
lack of steel in midfield, new signing Tomas Rosicky's failure to
make an impact and, worryingly, City's ability to exploit the
weaknesses of Cole's current stand-in Justin Hoyte.
"When you are not as sharp as you should be, you see it most in the
final third," continued Wenger.
"We have to recognise that physically, we are not ready yet.
"But I hope this defeat will not affect our belief and confidence.
We just need to keep going. We will soon start winning these type
of games."
At least by the time Arsenal turn out again - against Middlesbrough
on September 9 - the immediate futures of Cole and Reyes will be
resolved.
It could also be that Wenger has landed Argentina international
Javier Mascherano from Corinthians to give some much-needed
physical presence in midfield.
The Gunners were certainly outmanoeuvred by Joey Barton and Ousmane
Dabo in that area of the pitch against City as the Blues emerged
from their own tortuous week to belatedly put a smile on their own
supporters' faces.
