West Ham Utd v Arsenal:ARSENE WENGER has reassured Arsenal fans he can understand their love affair with the FA Cup, but insists the Gunners must not compromise their fight for the Premier League title. The last trophy Wenger won was the FA Cup in 2005 – a fourth under his tenure.
Arsenal gave their supporters a day out at Wembley last season when reaching the semi-finals, before being beaten by Chelsea after taking the lead. While Wenger can understand the need for another run in the competition, which starts at West Ham tomorrow, sustaining their challenge for the title must come first.
Victory at bottom club Portsmouth on Wednesday night made it five wins from the last six league games, and crucially cut the deficit to leaders Chelsea to just four points. Arsenal can reduce that further by winning their match in hand against struggling Bolton at Emirates Stadium next week.
Captain Cesc Fabregas and fellow midfielder Denilson have, along with England forward Theo Walcott, been ruled out of the trip to Upton Park. Alex Song is available before he heads off to the African Nations Cup with Cameroon, while veteran defender Mikael Silvestre and reserve goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski could also feature.
“I will have to rest some players, that is for sure,” said Wenger. “We want to win, but we want to protect our home games against Bolton and Everton as well, to keep the momentum going. The Premier League is always more important (than the FA Cup), but, in the eyes of the fans, we are looking for trophies. However, the Premier League is so hard you want to take care of your position. Two years ago we had a very good chance (at the title), and we were not far away. At the moment we have to keep our spirit and out attitude, then we have a chance.”
Despite openly admitting he is set to make changes, Wenger will not simply pack the team with youngsters, as he does in the League Cup on a regular basis.
“For us, the Carling Cup is exclusively for young players and the FA Cup is one to win,” the Arsenal manager said.
Wenger has plenty of empathy for West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola, whose side are struggling to keep out of the relegation zone. “I think the pressure on Zola is more on the championship, because of West Ham’s position, and less on the FA Cup,” said Wenger. “It is more important that they keep their position in the Premier League.”
This time last year, Wenger left it late to conclude a deal for Andrey Arshavin. The Arsenal manager would rather move “early” in this transfer window, with a striker the most likely target as Robin van Persie will be out for most of the rest of the season.
A move for long-time target Marouane Chamakh appears off the agenda.
“Chamakh is in the Champions League with Bordeaux and at the top of their league, so he will not move now,” said Wenger.
