Young Guns can still fire up title challenge, warns Wenger

ARSENE WENGER feels he is “preaching in the desert” when he tells people his Arsenal side are as good as Manchester United and Chelsea.

The Gunners head into today’s Barclays Premiership clash against Blackburn at the Emirates Stadium 14 points behind leaders United.

However Wenger is not throwing in the towel just yet, and takes heart from the performances of his team against England’s top clubs this season.

“What makes me positive is the atmosphere in the dressing room, the motivation of the players and basic quality of the team,” said the Arsenal boss.

“We have not been together for a long time and in football sometimes you have to be right when everybody in football thinks you are wrong.

“I believe in this team and I am sure in the end you will be surprised at the end of the season.”

Wenger declared: “I am convinced they are good enough to create a surprise — but at the moment I preach in the desert.

“Everyone says it is a two-horse race and at this time we are not in the race — but we have to try to get back into it.

“We have the belief that we have the potential.

“I felt two years ago when we played against Chelsea that they would be champions.

“You have an impression when you come out of a game.

“For a neutral observer who was at our matches against Manchester United and Chelsea this year, you could not say there was a huge difference between the two teams.”

Despite the firm assertions of their manager, the Gunners head into the hectic festive schedule in fourth place.

They look set to face a real battle this season with the likes of Liverpool, Portsmouth, Bolton and possible even north London rivals Tottenham to again qualify for Europe’s elite club competition.

Wenger said: “To be in the Champions League is compulsory.

“If you build a new stadium for 60,000 fans, your target is not to be out of the Champions League.

“When you are manager you want the team to play to potential and I do not want them to be worried about the financial situation.

“What is important is that we keep going as we are.”

In 1998, the Gunners certainly did just that, managing to overcome a 13-point deficit on United to win the league title and then complete the double with victory in the FA Cup.

Wenger — whose men suffered a home defeat to today’s opponents Blackburn in December 1997 which looked to have put paid to their championship dream — is hoping history will repeat itself.

He said: “The situation is comparable.

“I have the same feeling because the team gelled in confidence and belief, suddenly the results became natural.

“But we had our ups and downs — even more in 1998 than now.”