Wenger backs hungry Gunners
The Gunners are unbeaten in 11 games, but head into Saturday's
Premier League trip to Fulham looking to get their title bid back
on track after slipping off the top of the table following the
frustrating 1-1 home draw with Birmingham.
On Thursday, Wenger sold unsettled midfielder Lassana Diarra to
Portsmouth, and for a healthy profit, yet has no intentions of
strengthening his squad during the transfer window - despite the
loss of key defender Kolo Toure, Emmanuel Eboue and Alex Song to
the African Nations Cup.
The Arsenal manager remains convinced there is enough talent in his
emerging young side - which has come a long way in a short space of
time after losing talisman captain Thierry Henry during the summer
- to secure their first silverware since the FA Cup in 2005.
"There is a real hunger and we are all on the same wavelength. We
have the same love for the game, and that drives you on," declared
Wenger, his side still in the hunt for the Champions League and
both domestic cup competitions.
"You feel there is a potential in the side and that you want to
win, but they want to win as well."
Wenger continued on Arsenal TV: "We have taken a step forwards,
because at this period of last season they were 16 or 17 points
behind the leader. This year after 21 games, we were two points in
front.
"That must give us belief, first of all that we have come higher up
because Liverpool have invested, Manchester United have invested,
Chelsea have invested as always, and we still have made up the
ground and are in front of them.
"That makes me believe we can win trophies at the end of the
season."
Wenger remains as committed as ever to the Arsenal cause, having
long resisted offers of the opportunity to work elsewhere in
Europe, and even at one stage manage England.
The highly-respected French coach, 58, who holds an economics
degree from Strasbourg University, agreed a new, lucrative
three-year contract in September and could well see out his
managerial career at Emirates Stadium.
Wenger revealed: "At the moment this season, I am so happy because
every day is a real pleasure to work with my team.
"You come in the morning, and you are happy to go in to your
job.
"The high ambitions I have are for this club to win every single
competition and the dream I have to play the football we love -
that keeps me going on."
Wenger added: "I will have to be honest enough that one day when I
wake up and feel I do not want really want that any more or I am
not good enough any more - but I hope that is a long time
away."
Arsenal should have winger Tomas Rosicky back for the trip to
Craven Cottage, after the Czech midfielder missed the Birmingham
game because of a virus.
However, striker Robin van Persie - also hit by a similar flu bug
last week - may well need more time to recover after picking up
what was described by Wenger as a "minor" thigh problem during the
Carling Cup semi-final first leg against Tottenham.
Johan Djourou (groin) could return to the squad, with Arsenal short
of cover in the centre of defence.
