Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger can 'understand the pain' felt by
Chelsea following their exit from the Champions League - but has no
intentions of showing the Blues much sympathy at Emirates Stadium
on Sunday.
It has been a difficult week for the Blues, who saw their hopes of
retaining the Premiership title dented as Manchester United opened
up a five-point gap at the top before they then suffered Champions
League semi-final heartache at Liverpool.
While Wenger's men have certainly not been consistent this season,
the Arsenal manager takes no sense of satisfaction from the
misfortunes of other teams.
He said: 'Of course I feel sorry for Chelsea. The players are
players and you understand that no matter how much rich a club is,
you understand how painful it is to go out as a player or a coach.
You respect that.'
Although the Gunners could effectively end the Blues' title
challenge on Sunday, Wenger insists proving their own worth is the
only motivation his players need.
'For us, it is a chance to beat them,' he said. 'We just want to
win our games and to show we are ready for next season to fight at
the top.
'It will be a good opportunity to do that on Sunday, to show how
good we can be next season.'
Chelsea beat Arsenal in the Carling Cup final which was marred by a
mass brawl and resulted in players from both sides being suspended
as well as £100,000 fines for the clubs.
Wenger, though, maintains Sunday will not be about exacting
revenge.
He added: 'Our desire is to beat them. If we played Manchester
United, then it would be exactly the same.'
Wenger feels Ashley Cole may not feature against his old club on
Sunday.
The England left-back moved from Arsenal on the closing day of the
August transfer window, with William Gallas heading in the opposite
direction.
The circumstances of the switch, however, left a sour taste for
many Gunners fans.
Wenger would prefer to remember the part Cole, 26, played in their
successes.
'Ashley Cole is a winner and can raise his game in the big games.
When you had to perform, he was always there and was a big-game
player,' said the Gunners boss.
'I want us to respect Ashley Cole for what he has done for the
club. I do not want the fans to boo him, but you cannot expect
anything in football.'
Chelsea have reached the FA Cup final, but could well end the
campaign with only victory at the Millennium Stadium to show for
all their endeavours - not to mention investment in the team.
Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry belittled Chelsea's
achievements this season following their Champions League exit at
the hands of the Reds, claiming 'when you have invested £500million
it is a fantastic season to win the League Cup.'
Wenger, though, maintained: 'That is disrespectful. They will have
money now Liverpool and it does not mean they will win everything.
It makes headlines, but it is not really football.'
