Arsenal will get a true picture of its Premier League title chances
Wednesday after hosting Bolton in its game in hand over the rest of
the top four.
A victory at Emirates Stadium would take Arsenal second in
the standings, above Manchester United, and just a point behind
Chelsea after 20 matches.
That would signify a remarkable turnaround in fortunes for
Arsene Wenger's side. Hopes of a first title since 2004 had been
severely hampered by a home loss to Chelsea in November that left
Arsenal 11 points behind the leaders.
But the Gunners have since won five of their last six matches
to put themselves back in contention as Chelsea and United have
struggled for consistency.
"One month ago we were far from the top teams, and since have
created momentum," Wenger said Tuesday. "We refused to give up and
continued to fight and believe in our strengths. The biggest test
in our camp was the mental strengths of the players and the
solidarity of the players. That has been tested.
"What we have realized in one month gives us a good
springboard to go even further. Why should we stop here?"
Arsenal is also in knockout phase of the Champions League and
the fourth round of the FA Cup, which delivered the club's last
title in 2005.
"We are a team who has grown up together and wants to achieve
things," Wenger said. "We have not won anything yet together and
that makes us hungry for success. ... I want to show that our way
can be successful."
That means resisting making a string of big-money signings
and instead nurturing young talent.
"In the modern game, there is a lack of patience and one
response when you lose a game - people say to you, 'Buy, buy,
buy,"' Wenger said. "When you have players who are 21, 22, they can
only become better. When they are 33, they can only be worse at 34
and that is why we are in a position where we need to have the
needed strengths to be patient because we have the quality."
Arsenal will be without captain Cesc Fabregas for another two
weeks with a hamstring injury, but 19-year-old midfielder Aaron
Ramsey has proved to be an adept replacement, scoring two goals in
as many games.
Denilson has returned to fitness following a back problem,
just as combative midfielder Alex Song goes away with Cameroon to
the African Cup of Nations.
But Wenger is still on the market for new players in the
January transfer window.
"Ideally because of the number of games you have in January,
you want to act as quickly as possible," Wenger said. "But at the
moment it is very quiet. You hear here and there a player is going,
but there is always more talk in the media than movement and more
speculation than acting."
Bolton, which is in the relegation zone, could be traveling
to north London - weather permitting - with former player Owen
Coyle installed as manager if compensation is agreed with
Lancashire rival Burnley.
Bolton fired Gary Megson last Wednesday and Coyle has told
Burnley that he wants to leave after guiding the team into the
Premier League this season.
"There will be someone new coming in. As a player you would
like that to happen quickly," defender Andy O'Brien said. "It's a
really big month for us and some difficult games but we are looking
forward to the challenge.
"We were unlucky last year not to get a draw against Arsenal
at the Emirates. They are a very good side and we have got them
twice this month, so hopefully we can gather some points."
Arsenal-Bolton would have been overshadowed Wednesday by the
Manchester derby between City and United, but the first leg of
their League Cup semifinal was postponed due to the heavy snow and
ice affecting traveling in northern England. The other semifinal
between Blackburn and Aston Villa on Tuesday was also called off.
While the City of Manchester Stadium pitch was deemed
playable, accessing the ground would have been dangerous due to the
heavy snowfall and ice covering surrounding roads.
The match will now take place on Jan. 19, the original date
for the Old Trafford second leg, which is now scheduled for Jan.
27.
