Wenger keeps his head as temperature rises

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger insists that he will have no nerves ahead of this weekend’s FA Cup final as his confidence is so great in his team’s ability to win the Double.

Since Arsenal last won the domestic Double in 1998, they have finished in second place three times in the league, as well as runners-up in the 2000 UEFA Cup and last season’s FA Cup.

Wenger could therefore feel under pressure to deliver trophies again to Highbury, but he insists that he has no such worries ahead of Saturday’s game against Chelsea in Cardiff.

‘‘You can look calm without being calm but I’m always confident,’’ he said.

‘‘What takes the nerves away is to have a huge belief in your team, knowing they have a big motivation and will give everything to win.

‘‘I also know that these players know how to win. That’s how I stay calm. It gives you certainty as a manager.

‘‘I sleep well at night and I’m calm during the day. Just before the games, there is a little bit of adrenaline but it’s not nerves.’’

Wenger declared his belief in his side’s ability to clinch the Double at the turn of the year and Arsenal have been unbeaten ever since then in domestic football.

Even their disciplinary record has improved markedly in that time.

‘‘That is linked to everyone having a high level of concentration,’’ explained Wenger, who spoke to his squad about their spiralling red card tally.

‘‘The players’ attitude has been spot-on as we are mentally prepared and focused. The wins have also given us belief to keep it going like that.’’

Despite all of that progress, Sir Alex Ferguson has nevertheless still claimed Manchester United had been the best team in England since Christmas and were playing better football than their title rivals.

The facts do not support his wishful thinking. United have scored more goals this season than Arsenal, but they have secured just 46 points since December 25, compared to the Gunners’ tally of 48 points, and could easily end the season empty-handed.

Wenger gave a perfect example of his calmness in the face of yet another barbed comment from his managerial adversary.

‘‘What do you want me to say?’’ he chuckled. ‘‘Everybody thinks they have the prettiest wife at home!’’

He then hit back by declaring: ‘‘Only at the end of the season can you say which team is the best in England and that is the champions. I believe that will be us.’’

In Saturday’s FA Cup final, coupled with their Premiership showdown against United next Wednesday, Wenger believes that Arsenal can start to reverse the shift in the balance of power to Old Trafford.

However, he still has two major selection decisions ahead of the final - whether to restore Sol Campbell to central defence after injury and whether David Seaman should be chosen in goal ahead of Richard Wright.

Campbell is deemed fit to return, as is Thierry Henry after a slight hamstring problem, but Wenger believes the dilemmas only serve to indicate the strength of his squad.

Seaman nevertheless looks likely to prevail over Wright, even though the former Ipswich keeper has started all but one of the previous rounds.

Wenger, who confirmed there is no prior agreement with Wright, said: ‘‘Richard had a difficult start to the season and when I put David Seaman back into the team, I told Richard that he deserved the chance to restore his image.

‘‘Through the FA Cup, he has managed to do that. I have a high opinion of him through that. Maybe he will play in the final, I don’t know, but I will do what I feel will win us the game and select the best team.’’