Despite suffering two major defeats in the past week, Arsène Wenger is not doubting the steel of his side. Arsenal were knocked out of the FA Cup by Manchester United on Saturday evening. The 2-0 loss came just days after Barcelona had ensured their Champions League exit at the Nou Camp. However Wenger's men are still chasing the Premier League title and, in the wake of a costly week, the manager remains confident in their fortitude.
"Yes we have it," said the Frenchman. "I don't question that. We played Wednesday against Leyton Orient, Saturday against Sunderland, Tuesday against Barcelona with ten men and against Man United. "It's a very, very difficult schedule. It's been very difficult for the players but they have never shown any sign of weakness mentally. Even on Saturday they have put in absolutely every effort and can only be proud of how much they fought." However Wenger accepts that, having gone from four competitions to one in a fortnight, he is under greater scrutiny than ever before this season.
"I question myself always, don't worry," said the manager. "But If I listened to everybody then it would be a miracle that we are still playing for the title with ten games to go. "Nobody in England believed we could even fight for the top four. The fact we are in the position we are in I think deserves a lot of credit. "I don't know [if winning it now would be my greatest achievement]. I let other people judge my performances. The only thing I can say is that I'm ready to give absolutely everything to do it. "I'm confident we will but we need now to work to recover."
Arsenal's new Japanese signing Ryo Miyaichi has shown his support for his countrymen in the wake of Friday's earthquake and tsunami. Moments after his loan club Feyenoord scored a last-minute winner against NAC Breda on Sunday, Ryo revealed a shirt with the following handwritten message to Japan: I hope that as many people as possible will be saved." Ryo prepared his message before the match and was also given permission to wear a black armband in memory of the victims of the disaster. Dutch FA regulations state that black armbands can only be worn by all of the players in a team but Ryo got his wish. "The other players wanted to show their support to Ryo and to Japan as well and so we all wore the armbands," explained Feyenoord trainer Mario Been.
"Ryo has obviously been saddened by the dreadful events in Japan. Luckily, his relatives are not in danger, but he has clearly been affected by what has happened. We will continue to do everything in our power to help him through this." After showing his handwritten message to the camera, Ryo kissed his black armband and thanked the Feyenoord crowd for their support.
Lehmann will start his second Arsenal career on the bench as understudy to Almunia, the man who unseated him as No 1 back in 2007. At the time, reports suggested that the duo shared a less than amicable rivalry but Wenger played that down at his pre-match press conference. He believes Lehmann was a good influence on Almunia and will be again. ... .... ...
Arsenal lack leadership. Its a charge Arsène Wenger has heard before and its been levelled at his squad again this week after an FA Cup defeat at Manchester United saw them exit a third competition inside a fortnight. Critics claim that Wenger has never adequately replaced Tony Adams or Patrick Vieira, two natural leaders who were the Clubs only captains from 1987 to 2005.
Arsenal have not picked up a trophy since Vieira left - although they have come mighty close - but Wenger does not see a connection between the six-year wait for silverware and the make-up of his squad. The Frenchman knows that victories are the only answer to the doubters but, as he pointed out at his pre-match press conference, he has lost big games with the likes of Adams and Vieira in his team.
I don't agree that [a lack of leadership has] been the problem. I just would like to remind you that we lost in the Champions League with Adams, Vieira, with everybody, said Wenger. In 2004 we lost to Man United in the FA Cup Semi-Final and we lost to Chelsea in the last minute of the Champions League but we still responded and won the championship that was at stake. No leader guarantees you that you will not lose a football game but what it is important now is how we respond with what we have in front of us. In football you can look back and learn from it, look back feel sorry for it or you can look forward and say its worth going for it. We respond to that [criticism] by winning our games.
Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas wants to put his fitness problems behind him when he returns from the hamstring injury he suffered against Barcelona at the Nou Camp. Fabregas has missed the FA Cup defeat at Manchester united and the Premier League draw away to West Brown since sustaining his injury during the 3-1 loss on March 8 which ended Arsenal's Champions League campaign. He has started running this week, but having had previous trouble with hamstring injuries, the Spaniard intends to be in peak physical shape when he comes back into Arsene Wenger's team. Fabregas is optimistic he will be available for Arsenal's next match, the Premier League home clash with Blackburn on April 2.
'Everything is getting better,' he said on a Twitcam broadcast tonight. 'It's been a weird season for me with injuries and I just want to make it right, and I want to come back stronger than ever and fitter than ever so that it won't happen again. 'Hopefully you will see me against Blackburn if I'm fit.'
Duh,hakuna jema la kutupa moyo jamani?ni taarifa za majeruhi tu??? u hali gani Wacha1?? :washing: