Post by Salem6 on Nov 7, 2003 18:31:46 GMT
Fri 7 November, 2003 15:26
By Trevor Huggins
LONDON COLNEY (Reuters) - Manager Arsene Wenger says Arsenal face their biggest derby of the season when the premier league leaders host Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday.
Though their title hopes face a far greater threat from big-spending Chelsea, the Frenchman is all too well aware of the passions aroused among fans when the two north London clubs meet.
"The expectation level of the fans of both sides is very high and we know that to be in a good position at the end of the season in the league depends on how well we do in the derbies," he told reporters on Friday.
"You cannot escape the fact that it is still a big game. Arsenal v Chelsea is more competitive for the top of the league but emotionally, Tottenham and Arsenal remains the biggest derby for us."
Wenger said his players were more sanguine about Saturday's game against a side who are still only 12th in the table after a mini-revival under caretaker boss David Pleat. "I believe they see it as a good opportunity to take three points."
The Frenchman conceded that focusing on beating Dynamo Kiev 1-0 on Wednesday to keep their European campaign alive meant there had been no week-long build-up to the THFC clash.
But he added: "We have to be conscious that tomorrow is a different game and a new start and that we have to be on our toes. If you forget that in a derby you get bad surprises.
"The danger is that the focus is not completely there at the start of the game."
Wenger said defender Martin Keown had still not recovered from a calf injury, while skipper Patrick Vieira continues a lengthy absence with a thigh problem.
One player who will definitely turn out to face THFC is striker Thierry Henry, scorer of one of the best goals of last season in this fixture when Arsenal coasted to a 3-0 win.
"It was an individual goal of exceptional quality because he took the ball out at the edge of the (Arsenal) box, and to score at the other end you need a special talent," Wenger said.
"It was one of the greatest I have seen."
By Trevor Huggins
LONDON COLNEY (Reuters) - Manager Arsene Wenger says Arsenal face their biggest derby of the season when the premier league leaders host Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday.
Though their title hopes face a far greater threat from big-spending Chelsea, the Frenchman is all too well aware of the passions aroused among fans when the two north London clubs meet.
"The expectation level of the fans of both sides is very high and we know that to be in a good position at the end of the season in the league depends on how well we do in the derbies," he told reporters on Friday.
"You cannot escape the fact that it is still a big game. Arsenal v Chelsea is more competitive for the top of the league but emotionally, Tottenham and Arsenal remains the biggest derby for us."
Wenger said his players were more sanguine about Saturday's game against a side who are still only 12th in the table after a mini-revival under caretaker boss David Pleat. "I believe they see it as a good opportunity to take three points."
The Frenchman conceded that focusing on beating Dynamo Kiev 1-0 on Wednesday to keep their European campaign alive meant there had been no week-long build-up to the THFC clash.
But he added: "We have to be conscious that tomorrow is a different game and a new start and that we have to be on our toes. If you forget that in a derby you get bad surprises.
"The danger is that the focus is not completely there at the start of the game."
Wenger said defender Martin Keown had still not recovered from a calf injury, while skipper Patrick Vieira continues a lengthy absence with a thigh problem.
One player who will definitely turn out to face THFC is striker Thierry Henry, scorer of one of the best goals of last season in this fixture when Arsenal coasted to a 3-0 win.
"It was an individual goal of exceptional quality because he took the ball out at the edge of the (Arsenal) box, and to score at the other end you need a special talent," Wenger said.
"It was one of the greatest I have seen."
