OBI-WENG KENOBI ... Wenger dreams of a star
turnaround
Wednesday, 6
January 2010
The Gunners will move to within one point of leaders
Chelsea if they beat Bolton at home tonight. And Wenger is
convinced his team have the advantage over their title rivals after
completing a 10-point turnaround during the holiday period.
Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti recently claimed Wenger
was a "good magician" for predicting the Blues' Christmas collapse.
But the Arsenal boss was more Obi-Wan Kenobi last night as he
detected a shift in the balance of power.
He said: "One month ago we were a long way from the top
teams, but now we have momentum on our side and the chance to keep
that going. "I said when we lost to Chelsea at the end of November
that they would drop some points, but I never expected it to happen
so quickly.
"One month has given us a good springboard to go even
further. "Why should we stop here when we have taken so many points
from our opponents? "We refused to give up. The mental strength and
solidarity of my players has been tested and they have come through
it.
"Now I know that within our team we have a great hunger
for success. "We are a team that has grown up together and now we
want to win things together. "What was most important was how we
responded to the opportunity to come back when the other teams
dropped points.
"We have put ourselves in a better mathematical
situation and we must keep up that momentum by being consistent.
"We are on a good run and we want to test the resistance of the
other teams. "We have a good opportunity to get close to Chelsea
and we want to take it. "That will make things more interesting for
everybody. The title race only starts after Christmas. "I don't
think nerves play a part in December. But they will play a big part
in March and April."
Wenger is aware his young team have little experience
of going the distance. Their only recent real title challenge came
two seasons ago when they choked in the final run-in. But he is
adamant his youngsters are better equipped this time.
He said: "I believe we can cope with all the demands,
especially with Gael Clichy, Cesc Fabregas and Nicklas Bendtner
soon coming back from injuries. "The title race will be different
because there are six or seven teams challenging for the top
four.
"We all play each other over the next few months and
that means everybody will continue to drop points. "I said a few
months ago that 78 to 83 points will win the title and I stick by
that. We have played 19 league games and have 41 points.
"If you multiply that by two it's 82 points over the
season and that will be around what is needed. "Nobody will run
away with it. That is what makes things so interesting this
season."