Wenger: Gunners better equipped this time

ARSENE WENGER believes Arsenal are better equipped to sustain their challenge for the Premiership title than last season.

The Gunners produced scintillating football during the first half of the last campaign eventually to lose out to Manchester United in the race for the championship.

Wenger's side, who entertain Middlesbrough in the first leg of the Carling Cup semi-final tonight, are back on top of the table after Sunday's 2-0 win at Aston Villa.

And Wenger feels his players have reaped the benefits of an extra 12 months experience as they go head to head again with the Red Devils.

"We have the same team as last year, but we are maybe more mature. We have learnt. Our players have more experience. We are better equipped and most of the players are better than last year because they have learnt more and improved. It also looks like we are better at grinding out results. I think we have a better defensive stability compared to last year.

"We said before the season started that was where we had to improve and, at the moment, it looks like we are achieving that objective. At the moment we are just concentrating on our performances, because it is too early to calculate how many points you might need.

"We know that we have to be consistent because, before the weekend, we were unbeaten in 21 league games and yet second in the table. That shows you have to concentrate on your own performance because, if you look at other results and you don't win, you have no chance to be up there."

Wenger will rest some of his star names against Middlesbrough beaten 4-1 at Highbury in a league meeting nine days ago including Thierry Henry whose two goals sank Villa. "Many of those involved in the 16 on Sunday at Aston Villa will play; Martin Keown, Ray Parlour, Edu, Kolo Toure, Graham Stack, maybe one or two of the midfield and certainly one of the two centre-halves will play.

"As regards the side for the second leg, I don't know yet. It depends on the result of the first leg as we play again in the championship the following Saturday."

Wenger said: "Up front we have Michal Papadopulos, Quincy Owusu-Abeyie and Ryan Smith. One of those three will play. Then we have David Bentley as well.

"At the moment Thierry is the only player who has played all the games plus international games. It will come to a stage where we have to rest him. When, I don't know, but he will certainly not play on Tuesday, that's for sure."

Middlesbrough boss Steve McClaren has urged his injury-hit side to blot out their last Highbury horror show to pave the way for Carling Cup glory. "Take away the league, which is your bread and butter, and a cup run is fantastic for the club, for the town, for the fans and everybody," he said.

McClaren will be forced to use the full extent of his resources with defenders Gareth Southgate and Colin Cooper both sidelined by hamstring injuries and Ugo Ehiogu still struggling with a groin strain.

"The way they're playing at the present time, they're the best team in the Premier League," he said.