By Ian Grant
Interesting Arsene Wenger believes Arsenal’s title challenge suffered over the winter months – because the bad condition of the pitches harmed their passing game more than Chelsea’s and says that only now, with the pitches in better condition, can Arsenal impose themselves on opponents with their one-touch football.
He said: “You need perfect pitches to play how we did against Spurs. Otherwise, you lose a fraction of a second and the opponents can get recover in time.”
And he suggests that Reyes hasn’t adapted to the climate. A reported bid of £8m for Reyes from Real, reportedly rejected has triggered the rumour mill, with a Reyes-Owen swap, rearing its head.
Maybe, given the acknowledgement of imperfect pitches, it is time to buy a taller target man like Dean Ashton, who Arsenal tracked for several years. Instead though in the last two days, they have been rumoured to be going for Parma striker Alberto Gilardino – top scorer in Serie A last season with 23 goals, adding 18 this season and with Parma struggling in Serie A.
And £7m rated Lyon striker Sidney Govou who can play as a second striker or right side midfielder and who knows the French contingent well.
Arsenal are also reportedly interested in the PSG Eindhoven midfielder Modeste M’ Bami. The Cameroon international said: “I heard about Arsenal and Lyon but I can’t really talk about it.” But he added, “I am open to anything.”
Meanwhile a weekly news review:
WENGER
Wenger said on the title: “I won’t let that go as long as we have one chance to lift it. We will still go for it. In most other leagues we would be top but Chelsea have got more points than us. We have built momentum and kept it up.”
And added: “I think it will be very difficult for them [Chelsea] at Bolton. Bolton are a difficult side to play against and they can beat anybody on their day. Chelsea also, of course, have to meet Liverpool in the Champions League. We’re not going to give up the title fight until we know it’s over. Real champions fight until the end and while there’s still a slight chance we’ll fight.”
Wenger said: “We’ve got our defensive stability back. That’s what cost us the Championship between November and January when we couldn’t win 1-0. It was too easy to score against us. Looking back, it’s a shame because we now have 74 points with four matches still to play. We won the title in 1998 with 78 points.”
Wenger said “Another clean sheet. We are not used to that. Our confidence is high, we have a good defensive stability and that’s where, between October and January, we lost the championship because we couldn’t win 1-0.”
And added: “We have stabilised that and as well rebuilt the ambition in the side that was knocked after the defeat at Manchester United and it took us a little while to recover. Our draw at Chelsea strengthened our belief that we can compete again. I feel we have closed the gap in the last three months and we have come again.”
MISCELLANEOUS
Monday was Arsenal’s first double over Spurs in 16 years and their ninth clean sheet in 10 matches. Arsenal have now won seven and drawn two Premiership games since they lost at home to Manchester United.
Everton were guaranteed at least a UEFA spot after Arsenal’s victory over Spurs.
David Davies, the English FA’s executive director, is quoted in The Montreal Gazette on the UEFA foreigner restrictions rules which were voted through: “There are reservations in a number of countries and our view is that we have no plans to extend this (rule) domestically.”
Activists used remote control zappers to turn off TVs in pubs showing the Arsenal v Spurs game. The campaign, TV Turn Off Week, is organised by White Dot, who have distributed the zappers nationwide and who object to places being taken over by public TVs.
ARSENAL v SPURS
Ledley King said: “Although they [Arsenal] are good team, I think we showed them a bit too much respect at times and they just played round us. It was a disappointing result. When you go there you know it’s never going to easy, but you hope to play well and get a bit of luck on the day. In the first half they dominated us and we struggled to cope with their movement, but we sorted a few things out in the half-time break and it seemed to work a bit better after that.”
PLAYERS
Lauren, who has been cleared, told the Evening Standard: “It was just a normal challenge [with Edman]. Both players went for the same ball and it was a fair challenge, the kind that happens in every game. It is nothing more than that, there was nothing sinister in it. We both went for the same ball and tried to push each other. It was accidental. There was nothing intentional from me.”
Thierry Henry came third in the English Professional Footballers Association Player of the Year Award.
Quincy Owusu-Abeyie spent Monday behind bars after being arrested following a brawl in London. He was released on bail and ordered to return to a central London police station in early June “pending further inquiries”.
Birmingham have completed the £3m signing of Jermaine Pennant from Arsenal. It was allowed outside the window as it was considered an extension of the loan.
Wenger, said on Freddie Ljungberg’s and Theirry Henry’s injuries: “Their scans were positive and they have both made progress but they are still in pain. They will slowly try to get back to training on Wednesday and see what progress we can make. Both are out for next Monday anyway.”
Wenger said on Reyes. “He knows I’d love him to stay but I fear he will go.” And added: “It might be a climate problem. Seville and Bolton in the winter is a big difference.”
Wenger said on Sol Campbell: “We have 17 to 18 players of top quality. Of course I see Campbell coming into the side again. He has my full confidence. But the players who have come in are doing well.”
Wenger said he felt the “ideal” pairing for England remains Sol Campbell and Rio Ferdinand, not Terry-Ferdinand.
TRANSFER RUMOURS
According to the Independent, Arsène Wenger has indicated he will buy players in the “24 to 27” age group this summer. But has said he will not sign Steven Gerrard as Arsenal cannot afford to spend £30m on one player. In another paper he says: “But I will try to add one or two.”
ARSENAL LADIES
Arsenal Ladies won their fourth Championship in five years with a 1-0 win at Charlton. Vik Akers said: “I’m delighted. Every year it means more to me.”