Vieira - we'll get back on winning track

Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira has insisted the club can rise to the challenge of recovering lost momentum after suffering the shock of back-to-back defeats.

Arsenal sustained their first league defeat for 10 months at Everton last weekend and, just four days later, succumbed to a 2-1 home setback against Auxerre in the Champions League last night.

Given that manager Arsene Wenger had been speaking about the possibility of going unbeaten all season, it is a damaging blow to their morale.

However, Wenger believes his side have the mental strength to recover from the setbacks against Blackburn this weekend.

And it is not as if their Champions League hopes have suffered a major dent, given that they still need just a point from their remaining two group games to make it through to the second stage.

Vieira insisted: “We are disappointed but you must think that we are still at the top of the group with nine points and just two games to go, and we’re in a good position.

“It was really frustrating as we didn’t play very well. Our performance was a bit poor as we didn’t play like we are used to, but we must give credit to Auxerre.

“It’s difficult to explain the two defeats, when you’re not used to them!

“Seriously though, so many players went away on international duty that maybe we lost a bit of momentum. We have to find that back again and it may take a bit of time, but I think it’s going to be okay.

“We have a really important game now on Saturday.”

Arsenal were 2-0 down after just 27 minutes at Highbury last night, with keeper David Seaman suffering another frustrating game despite escaping punishment for an early handling error.

He was nevertheless soon beaten from long-range by a powerful drive from Olivier Kapo, although it was a quality effort from the striker after he had the audacity to nutmeg Vieira.

Arsenal’s defensive problems were then magnified as Seaman hesitated when a deflection caused the ball to loop in front of him and Khalilou Fadiga nipped in to lob it over him.

Kanu came close on several occasions before eventually pulling a goal back shortly after the break in converting Thierry Henry’s selfless cross.

However, Arsenal were otherwise denied by the commanding central defensive duo of Phillipe Mexes and Jean-Alain Boumsong even though Robert Pires made his long-awaited return from injury as a substitute.

“It’s fantastic for the squad that he came back as he’s a really important player for us,” observed Vieira.

Arsenal, who travel to Borussia Dortmund next week, now face a test of their resolve but while they could do with Dennis Bergkamp returning soon from injury, both Vieira and Wenger see no cause for panic.

The Arsenal boss insisted: “We had not got out of the shock of losing on Saturday at the start but we gave a positive reaction in the second half even if we finished jaded physically.

“You must give credit to Auxerre though and there is no basic reason to be alarmist. Periods like this happen in a season. I believe this team is strong mentally and will recover from this.”

Auxerre boss Guy Roux nevertheless admitted his surprise at Arsenal’s strangely unconvincing display and lack of fluidity in resorting to far too many hopeful long balls.

“When you imagine how Arsenal can play, this was different. The balls to feet and the Continental style were both missing and that was a bit of a surprise for us,” he revealed.

“This is the first time that we have won in England and it’s a great feeling. This result sustains our ambitions for the future.”