Arsene Wenger believes the return of Theo Walcott could feel like a
new signing and boost Arsenal for what is set to be a make-or-break
run of games.
The Gunners could go top of the Premier League tonight with
victory over struggling Bolton at Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal were 11 points adrift of Chelsea after being thumped
3-0 at home at the end of November, but have hauled themselves back
into the title race following a run of six wins in eight, while
their rivals struggled for consistency.
The Arsenal manager having Walcott - back from a rib problem
and who has made only 10 appearances - available again along with
the imminent rehabilitation of striker Nicklas Bendtner from groin
surgery - can make a real impact as his squad gear up for a crucial
few weeks which will see them face Aston Villa, Manchester United,
Chelsea and Liverpool.
"We are not close to signing anybody at the moment and we are
so focused on the game that we forget a little bit to speak about
transfers," said Wenger.
"We have so many players out that our talks are more focused
on 'when is he back, when he is back' and it looks like any player
we can get back is like a transfer because we have not seen some
players this season - like Walcott, like Bendtner.
"They can be fresh for the second part of the season and they
can give us a big push."
Although beating Bolton for the second time in four days
could send his men above Chelsea on goal difference, having then
played the same amount of games, Wenger is not about to put the
champagne on ice just yet.
"It has a psychological meaning, that we are there and to
fight at the top of the table, but mathematically it has not too
much significance because it is a long way to go," Wenger told
Arsenal TV Online.
"I am not stupid. We have won nothing yet.
"Yes, we have won some credibility. However, that is not
enough.
"We want more, at least we are in a position to fight for it
and have a go.
"That is what we want to do, but we know as well that there
is a long way to go.
"I have the confidence that my team will give absolutely
everything.
"I trust their hunger, I trust their appetite and I trust
their spirit."
Wenger added: "It gives a lot of credit to the players that
despite all which has happened, we are still there.
"That is the only step we have definitely made - everybody
wrote us off and we are back in it."
Wenger admits it is strange to, by a quirk of the fixture
schedule, to play the same opponents again so quickly.
"To surprise them is difficult because everybody knows you
cannot change too much the way we play football from one day to the
next, so they know," he said.
"We will certainly play with a higher collective pace, at a
higher team tempo than we did on Sunday, because we will be at
home.
"Our fans will be certainly behind us and that makes us at
home in an even stronger position, because our fans can help us win
matches."
