Arsene Wenger insists returning to winning ways at
Bolton this weekend is Arsenal's top priority - and not "dreaming"
of Champions League glory. The Gunners are currently in their worst
run of domestic form for nine seasons, with Sunday's 2-1 defeat at
Chelsea stretching a winless streak to five league
matches.
Arsenal's inconsistency has seen both Manchester United and the
Blues claw back what was once a five-point advantage, with the
Gunners slipping down to third. United boss Sir Alex Ferguson,
nevertheless, believes the title race is anything but over, with
key fixtures between the top three sides still to come next
month.
Arsenal may have the prospect of a Champions League
quarter-final with Liverpool fast approaching, but Wenger insists
the immediate focus is on picking up a much-needed victory over
relegation battlers Bolton on Saturday afternoon. "We want to do
well in the Premier League and not dream about the Champions League
- we have to fight back," said the Gunners boss. "It is five games
now since we have won and we want to come back to winning
ways."
Wenger added: "We have to become more efficient defensively
because if you look at the goals we have given away recently they
have been inefficient." While the Arsenal manager did not single
out any individual, the performances of central partners Kolo Toure
and captain William Gallas have been less than solid recently.
Full-back Gael Clichy, though, feels Arsenal have what it takes
to recover championship-winning form over the final run-in. "Seven
games mean there is a lot to do for them and for us. We just have
to play the best football we can," said Clichy. "If we win all the
games anything is possible - but we have to be realistic and not
drop any more points. "When you look at the table you see Man
United are six points ahead, of course the gap is open a little bit
now. "It will be difficult for us, but we have a great team and
great quality. "We have to think positive. Maybe if we can win all
those seven games then something can happen."
Clichy, 22, added: "We don't have to feel sorry for ourselves.
"We have to go to Bolton on Saturday, win there and try to make
something happen. "It is going to be difficult, but we have to
believe in it. "Like the boss says, it is a good opportunity to
show everybody the strength in the team. So let's go for it. "I am
sure with a bit of luck and lot of work we can still make it
happen."
Clichy picked up a slight hamstring problem in the defeat by
Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, but has reported for international
duty. The full-back could well play for the France 'A' team versus
Mali in Paris tonight, but is hoping to instead feature against
England tomorrow in what would be his first full cap.
"It would be fantastic to play against England and win my first
cap," the 22-year-old told Arsenal TV Online. "If I am playing for
the first team against England, then perfect, otherwise I will be
playing for the second team. "In either one, hopefully it will be
enough to show the French coach that I could be part of the
European Championship squad. "I think I have the quality to do and
am good enough to play there. "However, the most important thing is
to keep playing well for Arsenal, which will then give me more
chance for the national team. "If I carry on doing well, I cannot
see why I should not get my first cap soon."
Another Arsenal player set for international duty this week is
Gilberto. The veteran midfielder will, though, not have to travel
far as Brazil take on Sweden at the Emirates Stadium. The
31-year-old has found his first-team chances limited this season as
Mathieu Flamini forged a formidable partnership with Cesc
Fabregas.
Gilberto did not even make the bench against Chelsea on Sunday,
and indicated he may move on in the summer. "If a good opportunity
comes along, I don't see any other option," he said. Wenger,
meanwhile, has hinted he may be ready to move into the transfer
market to bolster the Arsenal squad next season with a swoop for
£12million-rated Lyon winger Hatem Ben Arfa.
The 21-year-old France international is said to be frustrated at
being on the fringes of the Lyon team, and has been linked with a
move to Manchester United. "If he is for sale, then we are very
interested," Wenger told French TV station TF1. "He is a great
player and Arsenal is a potential destination for any great
player."
