‘We cannot afford to drop too far behind’

DENNIS BERGKAMP warned that Arsenal cannot afford to drop too far behind Chelsea in their transitional season as he set his sights on securing Champions League qualification in his final campaign.

Bergkamp, who retires this summer, believes in the rich potential of the youngsters at Arsenal, but accepts they must sink or swim over the coming months as the Gunners look to move back into the top four.

He declared: “Of course, for everyone at Arsenal, you want to make something special of this last season for the club at Highbury. It’s important for us.

“It’s not bad to take one step back and maybe then make up two steps the next season. But you have to be careful not to take two or three steps back as then you’re going to struggle.

“That’s the period we’re in now. We have to focus on keeping going and getting the points.”

With Patrick Vieira and Edu having left, while only Alexander Hleb strengthened the first-team squad last summer, Arsenal are now lagging 24 points behind Chelsea with just a game in hand.

Finishing above Tottenham, Bolton and Wigan in fourth place is now their over-riding priority, along with the Champions League, FA Cup and Carling Cup.

He warned: “There’s no room for error. There’s no room for breathing, you can’t think about the game because the next one is there.

“That’s especially true with the midfielders as we don’t have that many in that position, so they have to learn quickly and they’re doing that.”

Bergkamp took positive signs from the draw against Manchester United, even if the result ensured Chelsea moved further clear of the pack.

“Overall, it was quite a solid performance from us. We didn’t give a lot away and we created some chances. We could have maybe had a penalty with Cesc Fabregas,” he said.

Asked if the future of the club was in sound hands, he concluded: “It’s difficult to say. The way I look at my 10-year career here, I’ve been very spoilt with the players I’ve played with.

“They were all established names when they were, so it’s difficult to compare. These players have got the talent, but they need the power and the experience.

“But when the talent is there, that’s the main thing. And the talent is definitely there, it’s a matter of development and they have to be with the right people around them.”

Arsenal are targeting a midfielder from the French league during the January transfer window, club scout Gilles Grimandi has revealed.

Grimandi did not reveal the identity of Wenger’s potential targets, with the Arsenal boss having previously ruled out a move for St Etienne’s Didier Zakora.

Meanwhile Thierry Henry is set to be rested from this weekend’s FA Cup third-round tie against Cardiff - even though the Arsenal captain is ready to play on to revive his team’s fortunes.

Arsene Wenger revealed that Henry and Campbell are set to be given a breather during the next week, with Arsenal taking on Cardiff at Highbury on Saturday followed by Wigan in the Carling Cup semi-final first leg three days later.

“Thierry is fully fit but he has played four games in eight days without one minute of a breather. He did well against Manchester United but you could see it was his fourth game in eight days,” said the Arsenal boss.