Taunted: Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger
Carlo Ancelotti has reacted with amazement to Arsene
Wenger's claim that he knew Chelsea would
drop points in the wake of Arsenal's 3-0
humiliation by their London neighbours.
Wenger went on the offensive after Arsenal's kids were brushed
aside by Chelsea, insisting he had seen signs of weakness in
Ancelotti's side despite the comprehensive manner of the
defeat.
Wenger has delighted in the fact his predication came true as
Chelsea struggled through December, picking up just nine points
from a possible 18 compared to Arsenal's 16.
The Blues boss is bewildered by Wenger's constant
claims that the Stamford Bridge outfit will drop points and
collapse under the pressure of the closest championship race for
years. And he reminds everyone Chelsea still lead the Premier
League going into 2010 despite their desperate December form which
saw them win just twice in six matches.
While Ancelotti accepts his side did struggle, he taunted Wenger
by suggesting he must have supernatural powers if he saw anything
in Chelsea's victory at the Emirates that suggested what was to
follow.
'He's a good magician if he said that after that game,' quipped
Ancelotti before insisting Chelsea's presence at the top of the
league is the only statistic that matters.
'There is not one unbeatable team,' he said. 'We had some
problems in December and didn't win important games, drawing
against Everton,
Birmingham
and West Ham,
but it's normal to have these moments.
'Some teams had bad moments before, and we had that period that
wasn't so good. But we still stayed at the top so we've done better
than the other teams over the first six months.
'I don't know what will happen in the future. Arsenal and
Manchester
United will be difficult opponents. But Chelsea deserve
to have stayed top.'
He admitted the title race was tight as United and Arsenal
continue to press, adding: 'It's a very competitive championship
and will be until the end of the season. But I think the problems
are over now for Chelsea.'