Post by Salem6 on Oct 18, 2003 9:00:07 GMT
Fri 17 October, 2003 16:47 BST
By Trevor Huggins
LONDON COLNEY (Reuters) - Manager Arsene Wenger says Arsenal will be out to dent the title hopes of league leaders Chelsea when the two sides meet at Highbury on Saturday.
Chelsea, who lead second-placed Arsenal on goal difference, have emerged as potential champions since a takeover by Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich in July sparked a 111 million pound spending spree.
"It's a big game for us because we know the number of points we get against the big teams always has a big influence on the final result of the season and I am convinced Chelsea will fight for the championship.
"Our players know, for example, that having lost at Manchester United and drawn at home (last season) cost us the championship," Wenger told reporters at Arsenal's training ground on Friday.
Player rotation at Chelsea means coach Claudio Ranieri has a wealth of talent to choose from as the west London club look for their first league win at Arsenal since 1990.
"The advantage they have at the moment is that for an opponent it's very difficult to predict who will play against you," said Wenger, who conceded: "They only bought good players."
But he added: "The disadvantage may be that they rotate to find an ideal balance."
Arsenal will be without injured skipper Patrick Vieira through suspension, with Edu coming in to replace him alongside fellow Brazilian Gilberto in central midfield.
"When you look back, Edu's played in many big games but never got a real run in the team and it's a big game for him as well tomorrow," Wenger said.
The Frenchman said two other players would be unavailable on Saturday through injury -- midfielder Fredrik Ljungberg (ankle) and defender Martin Keown (calf).
Source:-
www.reuters.co.uk/newsPackageArticle.jhtml?type=sportsNews&storyID=389776§ion=news
By Trevor Huggins
LONDON COLNEY (Reuters) - Manager Arsene Wenger says Arsenal will be out to dent the title hopes of league leaders Chelsea when the two sides meet at Highbury on Saturday.
Chelsea, who lead second-placed Arsenal on goal difference, have emerged as potential champions since a takeover by Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich in July sparked a 111 million pound spending spree.
"It's a big game for us because we know the number of points we get against the big teams always has a big influence on the final result of the season and I am convinced Chelsea will fight for the championship.
"Our players know, for example, that having lost at Manchester United and drawn at home (last season) cost us the championship," Wenger told reporters at Arsenal's training ground on Friday.
Player rotation at Chelsea means coach Claudio Ranieri has a wealth of talent to choose from as the west London club look for their first league win at Arsenal since 1990.
"The advantage they have at the moment is that for an opponent it's very difficult to predict who will play against you," said Wenger, who conceded: "They only bought good players."
But he added: "The disadvantage may be that they rotate to find an ideal balance."
Arsenal will be without injured skipper Patrick Vieira through suspension, with Edu coming in to replace him alongside fellow Brazilian Gilberto in central midfield.
"When you look back, Edu's played in many big games but never got a real run in the team and it's a big game for him as well tomorrow," Wenger said.
The Frenchman said two other players would be unavailable on Saturday through injury -- midfielder Fredrik Ljungberg (ankle) and defender Martin Keown (calf).
Source:-
www.reuters.co.uk/newsPackageArticle.jhtml?type=sportsNews&storyID=389776§ion=news
