FOOTBALL : Arsene Wenger has told his Arsenal players to forget about Chelsea’s strength on the pitch and focus on raising their own game when the Barclays Premier League leaders travel to Emirates Stadium on Sunday.
Arsene Wenger has told his Arsenal players to forget about Chelsea’s strength on the pitch and focus on raising their own game when the Barclays Premier League leaders travel to Emirates Stadium on Sunday.
The Blues, eight points clear of the Gunners having played a game more, have been boosted by the return of England midfielder Frank Lampard following a thigh injury and They can also call on the likes of England captain John Terry, midfield enforcer Michael Essien and strike pair Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka.
“You know they are a good side and to beat them you have to deliver a good performance,” the Arsenal manager said. “It is more important we focus on what we do than any strength or weakness of Chelsea.”
He added: “They are a strong side and have a good manager in Carlo Ancelotti, but I believe despite all that, we can still beat them.
“Let us expect them to be strong on the day, and then let us be stronger.”
Wenger fully expects his men to deliver, their confidence boosted by beating Standard Liege following last weekend’s lacklustre defeat at Sunderland.
“Everyone will look at the game to rate our potential and I have no worries about that,” he said. “We are ready for the game, are well focused, prepared and the confidence is good.
“We just want to focus on the game like we want to play it. It is a big test, yes, but that is what you want, to play these teams.
“There is a period for any team to come out and show its strengths. For my team, this moment has come.
“We are not a team that has to be considered to be young any more. I think we have the strengths and we can show on Sunday that we are strong enough to compete.”
