Source: Team_Talk
Campbell ready for tough run-in
The Gunners are very much in the hunt for a first championship since Campbell led the 'Invincibles' of 2003/2004 following a last-gasp 2-1 victory at struggling Hull on Saturday, where Nicklas Bendtner's stoppage-time goal paved the way for the Tigers to dismiss manager Phil Brown.[LNB]Only two points now separate the top three, although Chelsea have played a game less.[LNB]Indeed, Sir Alex Ferguson suggested Arsenal "might yet mount the biggest challenge" after his Manchester United side leapfrogged the Blues with victory over Fulham.[LNB]Next up for Arsene Wenger's men are relegation battlers West Ham, while Wolves and Wigan also visit the Emirates Stadium next month.[LNB]However, there is also the small matter of a clash against top-four hopefuls Manchester City and the north-London derby with Tottenham at While Hart Lane to negotiate.[LNB]Campbell - the 35-year-old former Gunners skipper, who rejoined them on a short-term deal during January - maintains there is no such thing as a soft touch in the Premier League.[LNB]"We kept fighting and got the win in the end, and we do not care as long as the win comes," Campbell told Arsenal TV Online.[LNB]"It is never easy, you have to win and earn your rights, you have to play good football - nobody is just going to give you three points in this league, no chance.[LNB]"We just have to keep focused, picking up the wins and stay in there."[LNB]Arsenal's title credentials have already been written off more than once this season, most notably following successive defeats by their direct rivals at the start of February.[LNB]Therefore, Wenger is unlikely to give too much credence to the same critics now championing his side.[LNB]Denmark striker Bendtner remains happy to let other people talk while the Gunners go about their business.[LNB]"A lot of things are said in football, a lot of comments made - everyone has their opinions," Bendtner said.[LNB]"I cannot really say what is the difference [in Arsenal this season], but we are winning and just have to keep doing that."[LNB]The 22-year-old put his own inconsistencies behind him with another crucial strike to add to the hat-trick which sunk Porto and booked Arsenal's place in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.[LNB]Bendtner was glad to be back among the goals again, but stressed results, rather than individual performances, were the priority.[LNB]"I am happy to be scoring again after last weekend, when everything went wrong," said the Dane, who missed a string of chances in the 3-1 victory over Burnley.[LNB]"I was in all the right places but just did not finish. Sometimes this happens in football.[LNB]"Luckily, the chances which have come since, I have finished."[LNB]Bendtner told BBC Sport: "But the three points was the most important thing, whomever would have scored.[LNB]"Now we need to win the rest of our games so we can reach our targets."[LNB]Wenger is delighted his young squad have shown the strength of character to haul themselves back into the hunt following a fifth straight league win.[LNB]"With eight games - four at home, four away - left, we are still in the race, So let's have a go," the Arsenal manager declared.[LNB]"The rest of the season will be tight, interesting and exciting."[LNB]Arsenals' hard-fought win at the KC Stadium, where Hull produced a resilient effort following the dismissal of captain George Boateng at the end of the first half, was completed without the services of injured skipper Cesc Fabregas.[LNB]Wenger revealed the influential Spain midfielder could be back in contention for the visit of struggling West Ham as he nurses a hamstring problem.[LNB]Czech winger Tomas Rosicky also failed to make the trip to Hull because of a groin problem, but should be fit by the weekend.[LNB]However, centre-back William Gallas remains sidelined with a niggling calf injury, so Campbell is in line for another run-out against the Hammers.[LNB][LNB] Arsenal Stage of Elimination. Click here to bet.
