Sunday, 21 December
2008
Arsene Wenger insists his side will return to the
Emirates Stadium to face Premier League pace-setters Liverpool next
week with a strong chance of forcing their way back into the title
race.
On a day when both Rafael Benitez's men and Manchester United
both dropped points, Wenger said his side's hard-earned 1-1 draw
against Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium was ''not
disastrous''.
And despite fluctuating recent form, Wenger believes his side
have shown signs they have got their season back on track after a
poor start which threatened to effectively end their campaign
before Christmas.
Wenger said: ''We will keep our focus and try to win the next
game and try not to think about it. We must just believe that the
next game is one to reduce the distance between us and
Liverpool.
''The league is wide open but we are in a position that every
point we drop we are asked about it. I understand that, but
champions are people who never stop and we can show that belief to
keep going.''
But Boro's gutsy performance exposed familiar frailties in a
Gunners line-up in which striker Emmanuel Adebayor was a class
apart from his young and occasionally lightweight-looking
team-mates.
''There was room for us to take the three points but they fought
very hard. In the end we were 1-0 and unlucky on the goal we
conceded and after that we had two or three more chances to score
and we didn't do it,'' Wenger added.
The result proved much more pleasing for Boro boss Gareth
Southgate who was forced to rush Chris Riggott and Robert Huth back
from injury due to the suspension of the talismanic David
Wheater.
His side bustled with energy and intent from the kick-off and
their urgency was encapsulated by a fine performance from youngster
Tony McMahon in his first Boro game for two years after suffering
two broken legs.
Southgate said: ''Tony was fantastic. It's been a real long haul
for him and we've sent him out on loan to get him matches. He
needed those games under his belt and he's given an outstanding
display.''
''We're relatively pleased with the account we've given of
ourselves. We needed to pick up some points. It's been a tough run
for us but we've given a very good display and that's the most
pleasing thing.''
