Wenger aims at top spot
Written By
DNA Web Team
| Updated:
The goalscoring exploits of Arsenal’s emerging stars caught the eye in midweek as the club’s youngest ever side racked up a remarkable 6-0 win
LONDON: The goalscoring exploits of Arsenal’s emerging stars caught the eye in midweek as the club’s youngest ever side racked up a remarkable 6-0 win over Sheffield United in the League Cup.
But according to manager Arsene Wenger, it is the defensive resilience his more senior players have displayed so far this season that has done most to bolster confidence that they can stay at the top of the English Premier League table.
The 1-1 stalemate between Chelsea and Manchester United last weekend enabled the Gunners to move into pole position for the first time this season, with Liverpool also losing ground after failing to beat Stoke City at home.
In nine matches in all competitions, Arsenal have conceded only three goals — two from corners and one from the penalty spot.
“It has not been noticed yet but we’ve only conceded those two goals from two corners,” Wenger said ahead of newcomers Hull’s visit to the Emirates. “In open play we are quite solid.”
He insists his attacking philosophy will not be compromised by the search for greater defensive solidity.
“What makes me happy at the moment is that we have a good combination of defensive balance and offensive efficiency,” he said. “Sometimes when you work on defending better you lose a number of goals.
Manchester United were left frustrated by the concession of a late equaliser to Chelsea, but Sir Alex Ferguson will have taken heart from a performance that suggests his side are shaking off the early season cobwebs.
Albeit with a second string line-up, United looked sharp again in midweek as they beat Middlesbrough 3-1 in the League Cup, and veteran winger Ryan Giggs believes a corner has been turned ahead of Bolton’s visit to Old Trafford.
“We didn’t play well at the beginning of the season but over the last week or so we have played some really good stuff, ” Giggs said.
Having featured as a substitute at Chelsea, Cristiano Ronaldo is in line to start his first Premier League match of the season following ankle surgery.
Chelsea travel to Stoke with manager Scolari facing a dilemma over whether to leave
Nicolas Anelka or fit-again Didier Drogba on the bench.
Liverpool make the short trip to crosstown rivals Everton with Robbie Keane, still looking for his first goal for his new club, relishing the prospect of his first taste of the Merseyside derby.
“My experience of derby games has taught me that each match is always completely different — no matter how well you’ve been doing in the League or how good the team you’re playing against is,” the Irishman said. “Form can give you confidence how you play, but things will be different because it will be two teams fighting for local pride on
Saturday.”
Valencia on top
David Villa’s third and fourth goals of the season have helped Valencia beat Malaga 2-0 and reclaim first place in the Spanish league. Meanwhile, Almeria spurned the chance to go to the top and lost its unbeaten record when it fell 2-0 at Valladolid yesterday. Valencia has 10 points and leads Villarreal on goal difference, while Atletico Madrid
and Real Madrid have nine. Sevilla follows with eight.
But according to manager Arsene Wenger, it is the defensive resilience his more senior players have displayed so far this season that has done most to bolster confidence that they can stay at the top of the English Premier League table.
The 1-1 stalemate between Chelsea and Manchester United last weekend enabled the Gunners to move into pole position for the first time this season, with Liverpool also losing ground after failing to beat Stoke City at home.
In nine matches in all competitions, Arsenal have conceded only three goals — two from corners and one from the penalty spot.
“It has not been noticed yet but we’ve only conceded those two goals from two corners,” Wenger said ahead of newcomers Hull’s visit to the Emirates. “In open play we are quite solid.”
He insists his attacking philosophy will not be compromised by the search for greater defensive solidity.
“What makes me happy at the moment is that we have a good combination of defensive balance and offensive efficiency,” he said. “Sometimes when you work on defending better you lose a number of goals.
Manchester United were left frustrated by the concession of a late equaliser to Chelsea, but Sir Alex Ferguson will have taken heart from a performance that suggests his side are shaking off the early season cobwebs.
Albeit with a second string line-up, United looked sharp again in midweek as they beat Middlesbrough 3-1 in the League Cup, and veteran winger Ryan Giggs believes a corner has been turned ahead of Bolton’s visit to Old Trafford.
“We didn’t play well at the beginning of the season but over the last week or so we have played some really good stuff, ” Giggs said.
Having featured as a substitute at Chelsea, Cristiano Ronaldo is in line to start his first Premier League match of the season following ankle surgery.
Chelsea travel to Stoke with manager Scolari facing a dilemma over whether to leave
Nicolas Anelka or fit-again Didier Drogba on the bench.
Liverpool make the short trip to crosstown rivals Everton with Robbie Keane, still looking for his first goal for his new club, relishing the prospect of his first taste of the Merseyside derby.
“My experience of derby games has taught me that each match is always completely different — no matter how well you’ve been doing in the League or how good the team you’re playing against is,” the Irishman said. “Form can give you confidence how you play, but things will be different because it will be two teams fighting for local pride on
Saturday.”
Valencia on top
David Villa’s third and fourth goals of the season have helped Valencia beat Malaga 2-0 and reclaim first place in the Spanish league. Meanwhile, Almeria spurned the chance to go to the top and lost its unbeaten record when it fell 2-0 at Valladolid yesterday. Valencia has 10 points and leads Villarreal on goal difference, while Atletico Madrid
and Real Madrid have nine. Sevilla follows with eight.
- Arsene Wenger
- Valencia
- Alex Ferguson
- Liverpool
- Ryan Giggs
- Cristiano Ronaldo
- Didier Drogba
- London
- Middlesbrough
- Nicolas Anelka
- Old Trafford
- Robbie Keane
- Valladolid
- Villarreal
- Malaga
- Stoke City
- Sheffield United
- Scolari
- Arsenal
- Real Madrid
- Chelsea
- Manchester United
- Everton
- Almeria
- English Premier League
- Atletico Madrid
- Sevilla
- League Cup