Source: Team_Talk
Wenger: Cesc gamble worthwhile
The Gunners captain came off the bench on Sunday to inspire his team to a victory which hauls them right back into the Premier League title race.[LNB]The Spain midfielder had been out with a hamstring problem, but was called upon just before the hour and went on to break the deadlock at the Emirates Stadium with a superb free-kick, and then swept in a crucial second goal to wrap up the points during the closing stages ahead of Abou Diaby's stoppage-time strike.[LNB]However, Fabregas appeared to aggravate the problem as he dashed onto Theo Walcott's pass following a quick counter attack and was replaced soon afterwards by Aaron Ramsey.[LNB]The 22-year-old will now undergo a scan ahead of the trip to Portsmouth on Wednesday night.[LNB]Wenger said: "We do not know yet if it is a recurrence of the pull or just scar tissue.[LNB]"If it is scar tissue then it is a few days, but if it is a reoccurrence, then it is three weeks."[LNB]The Arsenal manager, though, maintained: "I feel that I did the right thing, and would do it again.[LNB]"I put him on the bench and I knew before the game that if it was really needed, I would put him on.[LNB]"Had we been 1-0 up I would not have done it, but at the end of the day you do what you think will win the game.[LNB]"Aston Villa are a team which makes you nervy because you can be dominant and lose the game.[LNB]"You could think 'we were dominant and did not take advantage of it, so let's be cautious' - or you gamble a bit try to push it further and score. That is what I did."[LNB]Arsenal are now just four points behind leaders Chelsea and with a match in hand on the sides around them - a position which looked inconceivable following their defeat here against the Blues at the end of November.[LNB]"It is a massive result for the team," Wenger declared.[LNB]"When you look where we were a few weeks ago, credit to the team, they didn't give up when everybody has written us off.[LNB]"We kept going and that shows that the team has shown mental strength.[LNB]"This team is talented, is hungry, has a great spirit and for me they deserve to be successful.[LNB]"However, we have not won yet anything.[LNB]"It makes it interesting now.[LNB]"We are in a strong position.[LNB]"We can have belief, but it is a long way to go and we have to keep our feet on the ground and continue to improve together."[LNB]Villa - who had already beaten Chelsea, Manchester United and Liverpool this season - looked dangerous on the break, but could not make the most of their best spell of pressure midway through the second half.[LNB]Villa boss Martin O'Neill was also quick to praise Fabregas' performance.[LNB]"We were right in it until the free-kick, and Fabregas' contribution was immense," said O'Neill.[LNB]"He has had a major impact and changed the game for Arsenal completely, it was a very fine performance by a substitute."[LNB]Villa remain fourth and O'Neill challenged his men to continue their improvement through the rest of the campaign.[LNB]"We do not have much time to reflect on it, just have to get on with it as we have a major game coming up in 48 hours time," he said.[LNB]"You can draw all sorts of conclusions from just one game and we have to look at the bigger picture.[LNB]"You can get carried away with things and I cannot prevent people from reading into it what they want to.[LNB]"If there is anything to learn from the game, we will try to do it and have just to keep going ourselves.[LNB]"We are up there in the league because we deserve to be.[LNB]"Now it is down to us to see if we can maintain the form which put us there in the first place."[LNB][LNB]
