Laudrup says Arsenal can’t match big guns

Swansea manager Michael Laudrup has dismissed Arsenal’s Premier League title hopes, believing they cannot match the two Manchester clubs and Chelsea due to a lack of spending power.

Arsene Wenger has come in for criticism from a section of the Gunners’ support in recent weeks, and there is a growing frustration at the north London club’s failure to win any trophy since the 2005 FA Cup.

The Gunners have already fallen 12 points adrift of current league leaders Manchester United after 14 games, and defeat against Swansea at the Emirates Stadium today would see the Welsh club climb above them.

Laudrup is a big admirer of what Wenger has achieved in his time at Arsenal, but does not see them as being in the frame when it comes to the destiny of the Premier League trophy.

When asked if he thought Arsenal could win the league, the Dane replied: “No. Not because they have dropped points but because I think the title is only between the two Manchester clubs and Chelsea, and at the moment the Manchester clubs have the advantage in terms of points and momentum.

“The Manchester sides are very strong, they win tough games. Look at Manchester City at Wigan. It was a difficult game, it was 0-0 for a long time, and then they get two goals and three points and head home.

“They are very solid and win games when they are not playing well.”

Laudrup believes an inability to match the investment of the top three is what is costing Arsenal in the hunt for trophies.

He said: “There are a lot of teams who want to win, there are City, United, Chelsea, Arsenal, Tottenham and Liverpool, they all want to be up there, but there are only a certain amount of top, top players.

“It’s not only in England, it is the same in Europe where you have Barcelona, Real Madrid, AC Milan and Juventus.

“If we are talking about top, top players, Arsenal cannot buy the players that City, United, Chelsea, Real Madrid or Barcelona can buy.

“They have to do something else and I think Arsene Wenger has done great for many years trying to find players to make a good team.

“They have won titles but it is more difficult as the top three have more money.”

Wenger feels the next 12 matches will determine whether his side can force their way back into contention for a shot at the Premier League title.

With four of Arsenal’s upcoming December league games set to be played at the Emirates Stadium, Wenger is confident his team can use home advantage to catapult themselves up the table.

“We will come back. Now we have six games, four at home, and if we do well in this block I think we have a chance to come back, but of course it is vital for us to do well in these games,” Wenger said.

“At the moment the two Manchester sides are top. They have not been spectacular, but efficient, and they have made the maximum of the chances they have created.

“For example, Manchester United have already lost three games and have lost in the Champions League as well. It is exactly what we have done, but they took more points and had less draws than we did. That has been the difference until now.”