Wenger: Full steam ahead

Arsene Wenger knows Arsenal cannot afford to take their foot of the gas as they aim to stay within striking range of the Barclays Premiership pacesetters.

The Gunners host struggling Wigan tomorrow afternoon looking to extend their unbeaten run to 10 matches in all competitions.

However, because of their continuing commitments in both domestic cup competitions, Wenger’s men are already playing catch-up with the sides around them in terms of league games.

By the time they run out at the Emirates Stadium, the gap to third-placed Liverpool could be seven points.

And Arsenal manager Wenger knows there will be little margin for error against Paul Jewell’s side, who are scrapping for top-flight survival.

He said: “One thing is certain, we will not get away with 90% effort, so we will have to give everything if we want to continue our run.

“What a shame it would be if we beat Manchester United, then drop points all because we are not focused enough.”

Wenger continued: “Wigan have just turned the corner and, without a doubt, they have the ability to stay up.

“Of course, they had not won for nine games and you always have a doubt in your mind – but now they have just beaten Portsmouth so that shows that they have the quality to beat strong teams.

“I must say, whenever I watch them, I do not think they are going to lose, because they always play well.

“But perhaps they have just lacked a little bit of confidence, which happens when you have a bad run.”

Wenger, meanwhile, has insisted Arsenal are not set to become the latest club taken over by Americans.

The Gunners are to form a “ground-breaking” partnership with US Major League Soccer outfit Colorado Rapids, owned by billionaire Stan Kroenke.

However, the arrangement will only be to extend Arsenal’s brand into the United States and as part of Wenger’s policy of searching the globe for player talent.

The Arsenal manager has also defended the club against criticism they are hurting the England national team by failing to help develop home-grown youngsters.

With the introduction of countries such as Gibraltar to competitive football, Wenger believes the standard of football on the international scene is diminishing, while the opposite can be said for club football in the bigger nations.

“I do not think about the national team too much because footballistically (sic) it is not of too much interest,” said Frenchman Wenger.

“The game has moved on and towards the club. It is more exciting to watch club football and that is the same in other countries.

“National football is boring, you have to accept that.

“Club football has moved forward and international football has moved backwards, because of the multiplicity of countries. Games are boring because of that.”