Wenger keen to win from front

ARSENE WENGER has declared Arsenal can win the title race from the front this season, as he insisted the pressure is all on their rivals.

Arsenal came from behind to win the championship in 1998 and 2002, but now find themselves in pole position, albeit just one point ahead of Liverpool.

Wenger sees the title challenge as a four-horse race, also including Chelsea and Manchester United, and insisted Alex Ferguson’s side should not be ruled out of the equation.

However, he also maintained the Gunners were not feeling any pressure, as he outlined their determination to hold on to top spot and win back-to-back titles.

‘‘We came from behind twice, so now we are trying to change our tactics. I feel much more pressure when we are second as we want to be in front,’’ he said.

‘‘Now we don’t feel any special pressure. It’s an ideal position as then you can rely on yourself.

‘‘Winning consecutive titles is difficult, but Manchester United have achieved it and I would love to do it too, as real champions do it again.

‘‘If we do win it again, I think it will have a deep meaning. That’s why I fight so much to win it again. But it’s far from being done yet.’’

Arsenal’s current tally of 32 points from 15 games is the best Wenger has known at this stage of the season in his six years at the club and he is convinced their blip is now over.

‘‘What is great for us is that two weeks ago, we were seven points behind Liverpool and a bit low on confidence but we’ve bounced back well. Now we have to keep the momentum going,’’ he said.

However, just like Sir Bobby Robson, he poured scorn on the idea United are a club in crisis.

‘‘In 1998, we won the title despite having been 12 points behind Manchester United, so you can’t say a team of their quality can be out of the race at the moment,’’ he said.

‘‘I don’t know exactly what is going on at United. I just know that, statistically, there is no way that they are in a crisis.’’

Wenger also revealed his dilemma whether to rest Thierry Henry at Southampton today as he intimated his annoyance with French coach Jacques Santini.

Wenger was frustrated to see Henry play for more than three-quarters of France’s midweek friendly against Yugoslavia, despite an apparent understanding to take him off at half-time.

‘‘I thought what was planned is that he would only stay on the pitch for one half, but he played more. I don’t know why, I haven’t spoken to the national coach since,’’ he revealed.

Given that the striker went into the game with a hamstring niggle, Wenger is now wondering whether he ought to rest him at St Mary’s or risk turning the problem into a more serious injury.

‘‘We have a small doubt about Thierry. His hamstring injury that he had last week is still bothering him. I will have a chat with him and think about whether to rest him,’’ he added.

‘‘It is very important to go to the fringe of how far a player can go but not to make one step too many as then you can get an injury of three or four weeks, which could damage your chances.

‘‘I will have a chat with the medical staff and if I feel that there’s a risk, I will not start him. It is a gamble as it is a big game for us.