Wenger: We can’t go back to ‘Hell’

ARSENE WENGER has warned Arsenal not to send themselves back to “Hell” by underestimating the challenge which awaits at Norwich today.

The Gunners have slowly climbed the Premier League with four successive wins, as well as topping their Champions League group and reaching the Carling Cup quarter-finals.

It is a stark contrast to the end of September, where three defeats from the opening five games — including an 8-2 mauling at Manchester United — saw them sink as low as 17th. And Wenger knows the importance of picking up from where his men left off before the international break as they head to Carrow Road for today’s lunchtime kick-off.

He said: “The championship is vital for us that we come back from where we were. We came from Hell and if we have learned something it is to put 100% effort in every single game.

“We just grabbed the momentum. The team is getting stronger so overall I expect that momentum to keep going.”

The Arsenal manager added: “We have the confidence from a good run. After that it is down to being professional. A professional is capable of focusing on his targets. We need to focus again very quickly on our run.”

Wenger insists he will not rest in-form captain Robin van Persie and Theo Walcott.

He said: “We are in a situation where every game is becoming extremely important and is becoming a big test. To repeat the performance we had at Chelsea is very important for us.

“Norwich are a very good side and I consider them a difficult Premier League away game. They play quick and dynamic football, so if you are not completely focused and up for it, you have no chance against them.’’

Wenger believes all three of the promoted teams have brought something extra to the campaign. “There is always a Premier League surprise package every year, and this season we have three instead of one,” the Arsenal manager said.

“QPR, Norwich and Swansea are doing extremely well and it just shows you that the style of play has changed in the Championship.’’

The Arsenal boss also insisted yesterday that he is unlikely to swoop for Bolton defender Gary Cahill in January.

The Gunners have long tracked the 25-year-old England international, and tried to bring him to Emirates Stadium during the summer. While that bid — reportedly under £10m — failed, Bolton boss Owen Coyle fully expects the club’s resolve to be tested again when the market reopens in 2012.

But Wenger insists: “He is not someone I would be interested in. I have five central defenders — Koscielny, Squillaci, Mertesacker, Vermaelen and Djourou. Of this five, four are internationals. We were in the market in the summer, but at that time Bolton were greedy.’’