Post by Salem6 on Oct 25, 2003 9:41:43 GMT
FA Premiership, The Valley
Sunday, October 26, 2003. Kick-off: 2pm
By Richard Clarke
Arsenal left Kiev on Tuesday bottom of Champions League Group B but they will arrive at The Valley on Sunday intending to stay top of the Premiership.
The contrast between the club's domestic and European form could not be more obvious. Nine games since a victory in Europe's top competition, nine games unbeaten in this Premiership campaign - and having just picked up 10 points from 12 against their nearest four challengers last season.
"It is very difficult to explain," admitted Arsène Wenger in Friday afternoon's press conference. "There is a psychological and physical aspect to it, I think.
"In the championship we are consistent. We are serious because we have done this before. When we go to Manchester United, Chelsea or Liverpool and we know we can win there.
"But in the Champions League the expectation level is so high and there is an added pressure. So sometimes we want to force things a little bit.
"For me, in the championship we have got the maximum result considering our performances while in the Champions League we have got the minimum.
"Take Kiev for example. We had 20 shots on goal, 16 corners, 18 free-kicks around the box, 54% of possession and we got home with a 2-1 defeat.
"Look at the goals we gave away. In the championship we would never have given these goals away. It would not matter who we played.
"We have been a little bit unlucky as well. We have had a big game on Saturday and then played on Tuesday against Kiev. That happened twice last year after the cup ties with Manchester United and Chelsea. We could have done with 24 hours more and we have missed a little spark sometimes.
"But overall, it is more a problem of confidence than quality. We have the quality, we know that. We can beat Chelsea and Manchester United and they win in the Champions League."
Charlton will present a tough proposition after three consecutive wins in the Premiership. They have doubts over Luke Young (ankle), Gary Rowett, Richard Rufus and Kevin Lisbie (all knee). Shaun Bartlett (ankle) and Carlton Cole (hip) are sidelined.
For Arsenal, Patrick Vieira (thigh) will be out for two weeks and Martin Keown (calf) faces at least another one week on the sidelines. But at least Freddie Ljungberg is fully fit after his ankle problem.
Wenger knows his side has two away games in the Premiership before returning to the Champions League and he is aware that Sunday will set the tone once more.
"We don't want to be infected by our disappointment in the Champions League," he concluded.
"It is important to respond straight away at Charlton. This game is massive for us now."
