Wenger: 'I'm keeping the faith'
Arsene Wenger warned Jose Mourinho that just one defeat could undermine Chelsea’s entire season as he refused to give up on the title – or the FA Cup.
Wenger quoted three examples of clubs who had squandered leads in the Premiership – Newcastle in 1996, Manchester United in 1998 and Arsenal themselves in 2003.
He also cited Arsenal’s own defeat at Old Trafford last October, when they dropped four points in their next two league games, as proof of how quickly fortunes can change.
The Arsenal boss may seem to be rather clutching at straws, given that Chelsea have a 10-point lead and show no signs of vulnerability.
Indeed, he even joked that he could not rely on the power of prayer as “I can stay up all night and pray ’please God, make Chelsea lose’ but it won’t make them lose“.
However, without revealing any specifics, he claimed to have spotted flaws in the Blues’ game which could yet prove their undoing.
Wenger said: “Chelsea have got everything in their hands but I am still not as definite as everybody else is right now.
“There are signs that can give us hope. First of all, the quality of our own game. Secondly, other signs that are very interesting to analyse.
“What are they? I will keep that for myself. But at the moment you cannot ask me to give up on any pretension to fight or to come back.”
Chelsea may have lost just once in the league all season, recovering immediately after that setback at Manchester City.
However, Wenger noted that “John Terry and William Gallas are great players but in previous seasons they have conceded goals“.
He added: “It takes time to recover when you lose. People don’t realise, for instance, what it feels like to be 49 games unbeaten.
“It is the same for everybody – you forget how to lose, so it takes you time to come back.
“At the moment, Chelsea do not look vulnerable but if you lose one or maybe two games, then you can look super-vulnerable. There is always a weakness, no matter how you play football.”
Arsenal can, however, only look to their own performances and even though they face United next Tuesday, Wenger will not rest his key players against Wolves in tomorrow’s FA Cup fourth round tie.
While Dennis Bergkamp may be given a breather, Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira will both start against the Coca-Cola Championship side as Wenger aims for the confidence boost of a healthy victory.
He continued: “I take the FA Cup seriously. Every season, we go for three trophies and we do not yet have to choose between them.
“We have not played in midweek and it is good to achieve and win games. What you have gained from resting and not winning is difficult to measure.”
Wenger also vowed to ensure that Arsenal do not compromise on their attacking style in a thinly-veiled contrast to Chelsea.
“We have scored 49 league goals from open play this season and the second team behind us is Middlesbrough with 29,” he said.
“We just have to keep going as we have a vision of the game, where we do not have to consider anybody else.
“I don’t go along with those who say the only realistic chance of Arsenal winning something this season is in the FA Cup.
“I feel the pride and the professionalism of everybody here as a winner will make us fight even when things look desperate.
“If we play a game of quality, we will win matches. And if Chelsea drop points, then we’ve still got a chance.”
