Wenger: United put me off Tevez move

ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger has admitted he was dissuaded from trying to take Carlos Tevez to north London when he heard Manchester United were interested in the Argentinian.

The Frenchman — who also confessed to being “completely surprised” by reports striker Emmanuel Adebayor had been offered the chance to join United during the summer —– did consider a move for Tevez.

But the 23-year-old Argentina international, a key part in West Ham’s battle against relegation last season, joined the Red Devils.

“When I saw Manchester United on the case, I thought no,” said the Arsenal boss. “If they had not been on the case, yes.

“I would have analysed it and looked at how would it go. But it looked as if they were on the case early.

“However I knew I had (Robin) van Persie and Adebayor to play.

“Then I had (Nicklas) Bendtner behind and I wanted to give him confidence. In the end I looked for a player like Eduardo, who can play left wing, right or central.”

Wenger played down reports linking Adebayor with a move to Old Trafford in the close season.

“I would first like to check it’s true,” Wenger said. “If it’s not Adebayor, I think it’s his agent. He had a contract at that time anyway and I have never been approached by Manchester United. He has extended his contract here since then.”

The Gunners head into the top-of-the-table clash unbeaten in 24 matches in all competitions back to April last season.

However, Wenger knows full well the campaign has a long way to run. Arsenal completed the double over United last term but finished 21 points behind.

Bookmakers are laying 4/7 on that the winners of tomorrow’s showdown will fail to go on to claim the title.

Wenger insisted: “How big an influence it will have on the championship is impossible to decide.

“This year we have both started well, but it is too early to say Manchester United and Arsenal are the only contenders for the championship. What is important is we keep our style. There is room for improvement because we are a very young side.

“We are very, very hungry for success. We can improve with that kind of attitude.”

Meanwhile Gunners captain William Gallas had admitted he did not think his team could sustain a challenge for the Premier League title this season but is now convinced they can win the league for the first time since 2004.

“I had my doubts about this side,” Gallas admitted. “But my doubts were quickly dispelled in the pre-season games against Ajax and Paris Saint-Germain. I saw then that there was something happening.

“I saw early on that this team had moved up a step as far as mental strength is concerned. Last season we didn’t always have it. This year we’re much stronger, and you can see it in our refusal to accept defeat. This team is never beaten.”

Gallas used the example of last weekend’s performance at Anfield — when Arsenal came back to draw 1-1 at Liverpool, and could have gone on to win — as example of the new, tougher spirit among the players.

“I was proud of the performance and the way we never gave up or allowed our heads to drop,” he said.

“I have never played in a team which plays such good football.”