For the first time since the Gunners were hoofed out in
the quarter-finals of the Champions League during a reckless seven
days, Wenger has sensationally accused Kop star Babel of
cheating.
The Gunners take on Liverpool at the Emirates
determined to close the gap at the top of the Premier League table.
And Wenger’s accusations have lit the blue touchpaper under an
already highly-charged clash.
Arsenal faced the Merseysiders three times in seven
days last April, as the league and European campaigns reached
boiling point. A 1-1 Euro draw at the Emirates was followed by the
same outcome in a league clash in the capital.
But Arsenal suffered Champions League heartbreak when
they were stuffed 4-2 in the second leg at Anfield. Emmanuel
Adebayor’s 84th-minute strike briefly put the visitors through to
the semis on away goals at 2-2, following a brilliant run by Theo
Walcott. But two minutes later the Reds were given a spot-kick when
Babel hit the deck following a flimsy challenge from Kolo
Toure.
Steven Gerrard scored and a last-gasp Babel strike
simply rubbed in the agony. Wenger said: “Perhaps our season died
after we played Liverpool in those three games . . . . yes. “At
home in the Champions League, we had a penalty that was not given.
But at Anfield a penalty was given — and that was the result of a
dive. I can say that because Kolo did not touch him. Overall, we
had bad luck and then more bad luck. But it’s part of the quality
of the team to deal with that situation and not to allow that to
happen.”
Wenger reckons Arsenal are their own worst enemies,
losing to teams who struggle while turning it on against the big
boys. Liverpool are already a whopping eight points ahead of
Arsenal, who have been written out of the title race this season
for losing too many games.
Yet Wenger rapped: “Some people say it is a three-horse
race but let them talk all they want. Let us show they are wrong.
“Last weekend when we made the draw against Middlesbrough, it was
disaster. But Chelsea drew later and so did Liverpool — and they
were at home.
“Manchester United played a draw at Tottenham, so
overall that is why our result is not as bad as you would expect it
to be. “We were the first to play, and were away from home as well,
and were maybe the ones who deserved more than any others to win
their game.”
Arsenal have been beaten by Fulham, Hull and Stoke so
far, though Wenger insists any problems have been put right. He
declared: “I feel first of all losing like that must be down to
concentration. Secondly it is the style of play with longer balls,
more direct.
“At some stages of a game we were vulnerable. But we
have rectified those things now and in the period coming up Arsenal
have to show we can deal with all of that.” With the Premier League
titans struggling to make a significant break at the top of the
table, Wenger is convinced the title could be won with the lowest
points total for six years.
Back in 2002-03, Manchester United finished in front
with 83 points — five clear of Arsenal — and Wenger is predicting
another low-scoring champion. He said: “I think the total that wins
the title will be lower than in recent years, because the teams in
front at the moment have all dropped points at home.
“I think the total for the winner will be between 78
and 85 points. “But for us, the first step is to get back into the
race — and to get back into the race, which is still very tight,
the important thing is for us to beat Liverpool.
“We are highly motivated to beat another of the
so-called top four and I am convinced we have the quality to do
it.”
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