Almunia cast in the role of hero

ARSENE WENGER suggested after the victory over West Ham that Arsenal’s status as the least fancied of the three contenders in the Premier League title race would play into his side’s hands.

So it may, but not for much longer. For weeks Wenger’s has been a lone voice backing the title credentials of a team that has appeared flawed on too many occasions and, in their direct meetings with Manchester United and Chelsea, distinctly second tier.

Now, however, the Frenchman’s view appears to be less the stance of an over-optimistic manager displaying unswerving loyalty to his players and more a considered assessment of the tightest title battle for years.