Clichy calls for continuity

Gael Clichy knows Arsenal must retain “focus” to ensure a bumper return from their festive schedule against teams scrapping for Barclays Premiership survival.

The Gunners host Blackburn this weekend for the first of four games in 10 days against sides involved in battles at the wrong end of the top flight.

With his men now fourth – 14 points behind leaders Manchester United, manager Arsene Wenger has stressed the need to make the most of their clashes at bottom club Watford on Boxing Day, then a trip to Sheffield United before hosting Charlton on January 2 as they look to close the gap heading into 2007.

Full-back Clichy has rejected suggestions Arsenal have been given an easy ride in their end-of-year programme – and maintains they will show every team the same respect, regardless of league position.

“The manager has always told us that around Christmas is the most important time of the season because we have so many games,” the French defender said.

“There is a chance all of the teams can drop points, so we need to start from now and get maximum points ourselves.

“When you look at the names of the teams we will be playing, you could say it will be easy – but we know that in football all games are difficult and different.”

Clichy told Arsenal TV OnLine: “We have seen already this season that against the big teams we have done great, but then have not done so well against the supposed smaller teams.

“We have to show everyone that we can focus to get the results.”

Arsenal allowed their concentration to drop in the closing stages of the first half in their last home Premiership game against Portsmouth, when the visitors took the lead following a deep free-kick into the penalty area.

Clichy accepts it is a trait the players intend to eradicate.

“When you have so many chances and then do not score, maybe you do lose a bit of focus. That is what happened a bit on the free-kick at the first Portsmouth goal,” he said.

“Maybe we have to focus a bit more at set pieces – but the team did show great spirit in the second half to get back into the game.”

Clichy would have been rested for the midweek Carling Cup quarter-final tie against Liverpool, which was postponed because of fog.

The French left-back, 21, is part of a youthful Arsenal defence, which against Pompey also included Emmanuel Eboue, 23, and 19-year-old Johan Djourou, with Kolo Toure the oldest man at 25.

It remains to be seen whether veteran William Gallas will be fit for the visit of Blackburn following his thigh problem.

Clichy maintains Wenger’s young Gunners can be proud of how far they have come in a short space of time.

He said: We do not need to hide behind the age of the team.

“We are young, we know that.

“If we want to be top players then we have to play like top players.

“So all of us, the older players too, we have to carry on and work hard.”

Captain Thierry Henry (sciatic nerve) and midfielder Freddie Ljungberg (hamstring) look set to miss the hectic festive schedule, but fit-again Tomas Rosicky is expected to be back in the squad against Rovers, while Lauren is on the verge of a return from his long injury lay-off.

Arsenal have not yet lost at their new Emirates Stadium home, but have drawn five of their nine games.

Clichy said: “You can call it what you like, whether it is bad luck or we lose focus, or that we are just not ready from the start.

“But I do not think there is any difference from away from home, because we are still playing great football.”