Gunners will have to fight on without reinforcements

ARSENAL boss Arsene Wenger turned his team’s attentions squarely back to the Premiership as he challenged them to cement their title bid over the next two months — without any reinforcements.

Wenger again confirmed that he would not be entering the transfer market during the January window, scotching reports of an impending bid for Leeds defender Danny Mills.

Despite his team having suffered seven defeats in 14 games, he continues to believe as firmly in their chances of winning the title as he does in Sol Campbell's ability to handle tomorrow's return to White Hart Lane.

With the Champions League having shut down until mid-February, Wenger believes now is the time to underline those title credentials, starting at Tottenham on Sunday.

"We had a disappointing result at Manchester United but we're top of the Premiership and top of our Champions League group," he declared.

"We have every reason to believe in our potential. I accept we've had a few blips due to a lack of concentration.

"But we had a good response against Valencia and now we want to focus on the championship for two months as there are no Champions League ties and no internationals until February.

"We know the situation is very tight at the top of the table and we want to stay at the top of the group of four clubs. It is a vital period for us."

During the next two months, Arsenal face not only Spurs but also Middlesbrough, West Brom, Liverpool twice Chelsea, Birmingham, West Ham, Fulham and Newcastle in the league.

They could still be knocked back into second place if Chelsea win at Boro tomorrow, but despite United's recent advances, the Gunners would still regain top spot by winning at White Hart Lane.

"The truth of the table will be at the end of the season and we will fight to be up there. All credit to Manchester United as they have come back into the race," added Wenger.

"There are four potential winners in there. Are we favourites? We are among the four favourites. I believe in my team and that it will be us."

Other managers may be tempted to move into the transfer market in January to strengthen their squad, but not Wenger.

"We will not be involved. Not even in Mills, whom I rate as a very good right-back, but we have Lauren and Oleg Luzhny, so we will not be involved at all," he stressed.

"If the transfer window vanished tomorrow, I'd be happy."

Although Stephen Carr has also been linked with a possible move to follow Campbell to Highbury, Wenger was not about to be drawn into speaking about the Spurs full-back ahead of a north London derby.

"We have Lauren and Luzhny, so I don't think so," he said.