Wenger: No easy points this season

ARSENE WENGER has warned his Arsenal team not to expect any “easy points” in their battle for the Barclays Premier League crown.

The Gunners head to bottom club Portsmouth tomorrow night following a morale-boosting 3-0 victory over fourth-placed Aston Villa, which moved them to within touching distance of leaders Chelsea.

While the result was somewhat overshadowed by a possible fresh hamstring injury to captain Cesc Fabregas – who came off the bench to inspire his team with a second-half brace before then being substituted as a precaution – a fourth league win from five has dragged Arsenal right back into contention.

It is a position which appeared inconceivable following a comprehensive home defeat to Chelsea at the end of November.

However, since then the Blues have themselves failed to find consistency, dropping more points with a goalless draw at Birmingham on St Stephen’s Day before recording a scrappy 2-1 win over Fulham yesterday.

Wenger believes such results go to show just how competitive the top flight will be for the next few months.

“What has changed in the league this season is that all the teams can make results,” he said.

“You have seen Birmingham against Chelsea. It is like that anywhere.

“It is not that you go there, turn up and take three points. That has gone.

“After March, some teams will be safe, or will not go for Europe and you take some easier points, but from now until then in this championship the consistent team will get it.

“We go to Portsmouth on Wednesday and you know it will be another tough game.”

Fabregas will have a scan on his injury, picked up when sprinting the length of the field to net a crucial second goal on the counter-attack, but could be facing another spell on the sidelines having been forced to miss the win over Hull before Christmas.

Wenger, meanwhile, also revealed Arsenal had not yet taken a final decision on whether to pursue their compensation claim against the Dutch Football Association for Robin van Persie’s ankle injury, suffered during a friendly against Italy last month.

“We have made an enquiry, but I do not have the conclusion of our lawyers yet,” he said.

“Something needs to be done, though, and we are prepared to go as far as we can.

“Hopefully we can set a precedent for the future.”