Chelsea may struggle when the heat comes on, warns Wenger
While the Arsenal boss will be forced to field his youngest ever league side against Manchester City tonight, he insists Chelsea’s five-point lead is not imposing.
Wenger even cast doubts over Chelsea’s recent form, having just scraped their way past Liverpool, with Arsenal having shown in 1998 and 2002 that they can launch a new year comeback.
“There is no easy way to do it, but the only thing I know from experience is that many teams have been in front in January and not won the championship,” he said.
“Five points is not a lot with 17 games to go. It’s quite surprising when you see people say they have won the championship with 17 games to go.
“I care about Manchester United as well as Chelsea and things can change very quickly. I don’t feel any team is untouchable at the moment.
“When you are in front, you can only lose it as everyone says you have won it already. It is a difficult psychological thing when you lead.”
Asked if it would become even more difficult when the gap began to disappear, Wenger added: “Yes, when the chasers are strong behind you.”
Although Chelsea are technically on course for 100 points, the Arsenal boss does not believe his side will have to eclipse last season’s haul of 90 points to defend their title. “Ninety points is a nice total,” he said.
Wenger echoed Jamie Carragher’s observations that, in denying Liverpool a penalty against Chelsea, as well as giving Wayne Rooney a spot-kick against Arsenal, referee Mike Riley had unwittingly influenced the title race.
“That Mike Riley has made a mistake, he cannot hide from that in those two games. But I cannot influence that,” added Wenger.
“I can only be responsible for the behaviour of my team and in the latest statistics for December, we committed less fouls than anyone else and had more committed against us.
“What I expect from the referee is to be honest and I believe Mike Riley is an honest man, but of course they make mistakes.”
While Chelsea face Middlesbrough tonight, Arsenal take on Kevin Keegan’s side, with Sol Campbell, Dennis Bergkamp, Jose Antonio Reyes, Lauren, Gilberto Silva and Edu all missing. That leaves 19-year-old defender Philippe Senderos set to make his Premier League debut, while Justin Hoyte will continue at right-back, Cesc Fabregas in midfield and Robin van Persie up front.
Kevin Keegan is looking to end a 30-year Manchester City jinx at Highbury - but win or lose, he still expects Arsenal to be crowned champions in May. History weighs heavily against a Blues side who have not beaten the Gunners on enemy territory since 1975.
Keegan’s side will be doing their best to eradicate that statistic but when the medals are handed out, it is Arsenal, not Chelsea, who he expects to be lifting the trophy.
“For me, Arsenal are still the best side in the league,” said Keegan.
“Chelsea are flavour of the month just now but they are not invincible because we beat them.
“What is obvious is that they are playing with confidence and have the air of a team that is going to win every game just now, which is something you can’t quite say of Arsenal and Manchester United.
“But three or four weeks down the line, if they pick up one or two injuries to key players, you could be looking at a totally different scenario.”
And while he does not believe the pressure of a title fight comes close to the misery being experienced by the likes of Bryan Robson, Harry Redknapp and Iain Dowie at the foot of the table, he thinks knowledge of the demands brought by the run-in will be a major benefit to Arsenal and United. “Nobody gives you anything in this league,” he said.
“Towards the end of the season, when Chelsea start going to clubs who are fighting for their lives and they still have to win, it will be a completely new experience for most of their players. Arsenal and Manchester United have been there and done it.”
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
