Wenger rejects Chelsea keeper’s view that Gunners are out of title race

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger eyes a rise up the table. Photo credit: Martin Ricketts/PA wire

James Cunliffe Friday, November 16, 2012
2:41 PM

Arsene Wenger does not agree with Chelsea keeper Petr Cech that the only teams fighting for the Premier League title are the Blues and Manchester rivals City and United.

The Gunners sit in seventh place, 11 points behind the Red Devils eight behind the west Londoners.

Defeats to United and Chelsea, plus a draw against champions City, have cast doubts on the Frenchman’s ability to end an eight-year wait for the title.

Arsenal face Tottenham in the first north London derby of the campaign tomorrow at the Emirates and a further defeat would strengthen those opinions.

Wenger, however, pointed to seasons where his side have made up a deficit to challenge but knows they must start rising up the table quickly this term.

“I don’t agree but it’s [just] opinions”, the Gunners boss said in response to Cech’s claims, adding: “At the moment it’s just reflecting the position in the championship.

“Yes, we are a long way off the leaders and that’s why we want to come back.

“We have had that before and for us it is important to make up the ground as quickly as possible.”