then you would tell me I'm completely stupid.
"It will be down to consistency, getting the injured
players back and then I believe we have a good
chance.
"It's the most open season for a while. It's difficult to
say and very early. I would like to give it ten to 12
games and then we will know more."
It's the most open season for a while. It's
difficult to say and very early. I would like
to give it ten to 12 games and then we will
know more.
Arsène Wenger
That was Arsène Wenger talking on Friday about his
side's title chances this season.
"What's important is that the level of expectation is
high," the manager went on. "In recent years,
because we have lost players, we had to face a lower
level of expectation.
"That is quite hard for me. It's more difficult to raise
enthusiasm in the team because the belief is not
completely there.
"But the fact that the level of expectation is high is a
good sign because it means people think you have a
good chance."
After only five games the Premier League table is
meaningless but it is still nice to be on top.
Leaders Arsenal go to Swansea on Saturday evening
with the momentum of eight straight victories
behind them, if you include the penalty shoot-out
success at West Brom on Wednesday. In the Premier
League, they are on a run of four wins and one more
in Wales will equal a Club-record eight away from
home.
The 2-0 success at Swansea on March 16 began the
current tally. The trip was the first domestic game
after a 2-1 defeat at White Hart Lane had seemingly
consigned Arsenal to fifth place. History will suggest
the stunning win at Bayern three days earlier had
revitalised Wenger's men but they were made to wait
until 16 minutes from time at the Liberty Stadium
before Nacho Monreal bobbled home his first goal
for the Club through a thicket of players in area.
Gervinho sealed the points in the final minute.
By then Swansea were arguably on a downward
spiral having already lifted the Capital One Cup, their
first major English silverware.
They lost their grip on the trophy in midweek with a
3-1 defeat at Birmingham after fielding a much-
changed side.
But, before that, September said seen them rattle up
wins at Crystal Palace, Valencia and West Brom. They
also drew 2-2 with Liverpool at home.
"Michael Laudrup has stabilised the club in the
Premier League," said Wenger. "I think at the start
they had the technical level to cope with the
demands anyway.
[The game last season] was a crucial one
for us. We still have that memory in our
mind because that was the start of our
strong run.
Arsène Wenger
"You can last one season on enthusiasm but, after
that, you need to rely on real quality and that's what
they had.
"But now they are a team where the level of
expectation is higher than the year before. So, of
course, everybody wants them to be performing in
the top seven or eight. I think they have the quality
to do that. Overall they buy well and they play
attractive football. This is a very, very good team."
The best purchase was undoubtedly Michu. The
Spaniard was last season's top-scorer and has three
in his last three games this term. The biggest buy
was Wilfred Bony, who joined from Vitesse for a
reported £12m this summer.
"Michu's still scoring goals because he has the
technical qualities that are requested in the Premier
League," said Wenger. "It was not just sheer
commitment and running. He's a real football player.
"Swansea can play with both [him and Bony]
because Michu's the kind of striker who is a
midfielder as well. I see him a little bit, position-wise,
like a Bergkamp, more than an up-front striker. He
can play both positions, that's why they are 4-4-1-1
or you can call that a 4-4-2 when Bony plays.
"I remember the game last season," the manager
added. "It was a crucial one for us. We still have that
memory in our mind because that was the start of
our strong run.
"That was a very difficult victory. This time we
prepare ourselves with a very focused attitude
because we know this is a very important game for
us.
"We know that on Saturday, once again, we will face
a team with quality."
On the injury front, Mathieu Flamini (shoulder) and
Aaron Ramsey (thigh) are expected to overcome
niggles. Tomas Rosicky is set to return on Tuesday
against Napoli but Saturday will be too early.
Team News
Arsenal: Rosicky (hamstring), Sanogo (back),
Cazorla (ankle), Oxlade-Chamberlain (knee), Podolski
(hamstring), Walcott (abdomen), Diaby (knee)
Swansea: Williams (doubt - ankle), Hernandez
(hamstring). www.arsenal.com/match/report/1314/pre/first-team/swansea-v-arsenal-preview?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+arsenal-news+%28News+Feed%29
Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless handheld from Glo Mobile.
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