Pain in Spain for Wenger as injury problems mount
The Gunners flew into Spain for tonight's decisive Champions League clash against Valencia without goalkeeper David Seaman, Martin Keown (both hamstring) and Ashley Cole (hernia). Sol Campbell (Achilles) has only a 40% chance of being fit according to Wenger and skipper Patrick Vieira (knee) is rated 50-50.
So the last thing Wenger who will take charge of his 50th Champions League tie needed was to have to answer Ferguson's latest jibes, after the Man Utd manager accused Arsenal of "triumphalism" in his latest war of words.
"I would not agree with Sir Alex," said Wenger.
"I would not say we have been triumphalist. We are confident, and there is a big difference. Everybody has an opinion and we respect United's a lot, but our self-belief and confidence are very high.
"We had a disappointing result at Blackburn on Saturday but apart from that we have done very well. At the moment I would say we have it all in our own hands and that's always a great opportunity.
"The fact the challenge from United and Newcastle is there is great, it makes it exciting and it will bring the best out of my team I am completely convinced and my belief in my players stronger than ever and the challenge will make us a stronger team."
Although Wenger would not be drawn into a new war of words with Ferguson, he could not resist the chance to poke fun at the Scot over the incident last month when the United boss kicked a football boot which hit England captain David Beckham in the eye.
Wenger suggested he would never be so careless when he joked: "I am a two-footed player, I can kick two-footed and where I want I am not clumsy."
On a serious note, Wenger is concerned by the club's injury list and is desperate to have Campbell back in the team, otherwise it leaves his defence without a leader.
"David has not travelled and there will be late decisions on Sol and Patrick, so at the moment we are not as good as expected," said Wenger.
"But I still hope I will get good news and we shall wait until the last minute to make a decision. It is particularly important Sol plays because without Martin and without him nobody talks really at the back, and communication at the back is important.
"It is not the type of injury whereby we can give him an injection, that would be very dangerous. With an inflamed Achilles a pain-killing injection hides the pain and then you can pull on the Achilles without knowing how far you can go and you might rupture it.
"We won't do that. If he is not in the situation where he is comfortable to play without any pain and can jump and spring like he wants to then we won't play him the game is too important as well.
"If Sol doesn't play then Igors Stepanovs will partner Pascal Cygan and everybody will have to take a part of the leadership at the back because there is no outspoken leader there.
"Cygan has the confidence to play well but I don't think at the moment he has the confidence or authority to lead the defence on his own."
Wenger also gave a vote of confidence to former England Under-21 goalkeeper Taylor, and backed his bid to become Seaman's long-term successor at Highbury.
"This is a good opportunity for Stuart Taylor to grab his chance and show how good he is," said Wenger.
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