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Arsenal top but sterner tests to come, says Wenger
Source: Agencies |
January 21, 2010, Thursday
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ARSENAL'S Premier League title push gathered momentum following yesterday's gritty 4-2 win over Bolton Wanderers but sterner tests lie just around the corner.
Andriy Arshavin's late strike ensured Arsenal won by two goals to go back to the summit for the first time since August and less than two months since Chelsea beat them 3-0 to open up an 11-point gap between the two sides.
Manager Arsene Wenger, however, said being ahead of the rest at this stage of the season did not count for much.
"Going top shows first of all that it can change quickly and it can strengthen the belief in my players," he told reporters.
"I am very proud of what they have achieved because at the time (we lost to Chelsea) it looked a bit ludicrous to say that we will come back," Wenger added.
Although pleased to be looking down at the other teams, he also knows that still being there after their next four league games against Aston Villa, Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool will prove just how realistic their challenge is.
"The next four games will be very important for us," Wenger said.
"You have a fight to win games like this against Bolton, but the real difference is made with the teams you fight against. Mathematically they have a much bigger impact on the table."
Spain international Fabregas, whose one-man show undid Bolton in Sunday's 2-0 win at the Reebok, was again on song to rescue Arsenal's wasteful first-half display when they fell 2-0 behind by scoring one and making another.
"They tried to mark him man-for-man on the pitch but despite that he always finds moments of brilliance and he was outstanding again," Wenger said.
It was the first time Wenger's side had won at the Emirates Stadium having been two goals down, hinting at a resilience they have lacked in recent campaigns.
Asked if he thought his title rivals would be taking them more seriously, the Frenchman replied; "I hope not."
Andriy Arshavin's late strike ensured Arsenal won by two goals to go back to the summit for the first time since August and less than two months since Chelsea beat them 3-0 to open up an 11-point gap between the two sides.
Manager Arsene Wenger, however, said being ahead of the rest at this stage of the season did not count for much.
"Going top shows first of all that it can change quickly and it can strengthen the belief in my players," he told reporters.
"I am very proud of what they have achieved because at the time (we lost to Chelsea) it looked a bit ludicrous to say that we will come back," Wenger added.
Although pleased to be looking down at the other teams, he also knows that still being there after their next four league games against Aston Villa, Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool will prove just how realistic their challenge is.
"The next four games will be very important for us," Wenger said.
"You have a fight to win games like this against Bolton, but the real difference is made with the teams you fight against. Mathematically they have a much bigger impact on the table."
Spain international Fabregas, whose one-man show undid Bolton in Sunday's 2-0 win at the Reebok, was again on song to rescue Arsenal's wasteful first-half display when they fell 2-0 behind by scoring one and making another.
"They tried to mark him man-for-man on the pitch but despite that he always finds moments of brilliance and he was outstanding again," Wenger said.
It was the first time Wenger's side had won at the Emirates Stadium having been two goals down, hinting at a resilience they have lacked in recent campaigns.
Asked if he thought his title rivals would be taking them more seriously, the Frenchman replied; "I hope not."
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