Gunners fired up as Wenger bids to end Jose hoodoo

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger feels it is “easy to defend” but his side have now found a better balance as they look to deal with whatever tactics Barclays Premier League leaders Chelsea look to deploy at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.

There has been criticism from some quarters for the pragmatic way in which Blues manager Jose Mourinho has gone about securing the results needed to close in on the championship, last weekend’s 1-0 victory over third-placed Manchester United a case in point, where the visitors had some 70% possession but still left Stamford Bridge empty handed.

Wenger, though, believes there can be no reproach for Chelsea on the final outcome of their ultimate target.

“Our job is to win football games and that is what they have done in recent games. Is there anything to see in that? What is important for me is to do what it takes on Sunday to win the game. It is easy to defend, if we have to defend then we will defend,” he said.

Wenger added: “Recently many of Chelsea’s results have been very tight, but when you get a bit closer to winning the championship you get a bit more protective.”

Arsenal tackle Chelsea looking to record a 10th straight Premier League win, which would reduce the deficit at the top of the table to seven points heading into the final six matches.

Wenger believes the Gunners now have the right set up to avoid being stung on the counter attack by Chelsea, as has so often proved costly in past encounters.

“We are a bit more efficient defensively, but not necessarily more cautious,” said Wenger, whose side were beaten 2-0 at Chelsea earlier this season, caught out when pressing high up the field.

“Maybe we attack even more, there is less reluctance to go forward when we have the ball when the belief is stronger — when we go, we go.

“It is because the belief is behind them. Sometimes it is difficult to let that inhibition go when the belief is not there. When you are on a winning route, it is a bit easier.”

Wenger is not about to get caught up in any hype surrounding his showdown with Mourinho, whom he has not beaten in 12 previous attempts.

“Honestly, that does not worry me at all,” said the Arsenal boss, who was last season labelled a “specialist in failure” by his Portuguese rival.

“My main worry is that we play our best on Sunday and that we focus completely on our performances.

“All the rest is part of the literature that is important, but it is the performance on the day that will decide it.”

Wenger, meanwhile, insists there can be no regrets about not braking the bank to land Chelsea’s Belgian playmaker Eden Hazard.

The French coach was keen to bring Hazard to the Emirates Stadium from Lille in the summer of 2012.

But at the time Arsenal could not match the financial offers from Chelsea ahead of a £32million deal, reported to be worth around £150,000-a-week.

Hazard, 24, has been nominated for both the PFA Player of the Year and Young Player award, but Wenger prefers to look forward at the potential of his own side, with Alexis Sanchez also shortlisted, rather than reflect on another target who slipped through the net.

“I have no big regrets because, at the time, there was so much so much money involved we could not afford it, and not defend it, honestly,” the Arsenal manager said.

“It was linked with all the environment.

“It was not feasible for us financially.”