Source: Daily_Mail
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger surprised at speed of his young Guns title blast
Arsene Wenger admits even he has been surprised by the speed and determinationwith which his Arsenal youngsters have marched back into the Barclays PremierLeague title race. [LNB]The Gunners found themselves a massive 11 points adrift of leaders Chelseaafter last month's 3-0 defeat at home to Carlo Ancelotti's side, but moved backup to third on the back of Sunday's 2-1 win at Liverpool - six points behind theBlues and with a game in hand. [LNB]Wenger did not anticipate how quickly his team would get back in the hunt andbelieves their current revival is a message of defiance to their detractors. [LNB] Young Guns: Arsenal have forced their way back into the title race[LNB]He said: 'We feel that we have sent out a message to all the people who wroteus off after we were beaten at home by Chelsea. We have got ourselves back very close to the leaders - just six points awayfrom Chelsea with a game in hand. [LNB]'We have come back at them in a very short space of time since they beat us inlate November. Even I did not expect that to happen.' [LNB]Arsenal on Sunday became the first side in six years to triumph at Anfieldafter going behind.Wenger added: 'The win at Liverpool is a very significant victory, but only ifit is followed by good results now over the next few weeks. [LNB]'We have to go to Burnley now on Wednesday, a difficult game against a sidevery good at home, and then we have Hull at the Emirates on Saturday. [LNB]'We mustmaintain our current form in those games. We have shown that we have mental strength. For us, we are back intocontention following the other results from Saturday.[LNB]'We knew beforehand that we had to take advantage of others dropping points.We are in a good position with a game in hand and mentally it was a massive gamefor us.'[LNB] Pleasant surprise: Wenger admits he has been shocked at how quickly his young side have clawed their way back into the title reckoning [LNB]Arsenal have profited handsomely from the fact that Chelsea, Manchester United,Tottenham and Manchester City - and Liverpool - all lost points at the weekend. [LNB]But the visitors' first-half display enraged Wenger, who suggested to his teamat the break that they were not worthy of wearing the Arsenal shirt. [LNB]He said: 'I could not be pleased with what I saw in the first half. Nobodyshould be surprised that I reacted the way I did with the team. [LNB]'I was surprised how much Liverpool's form dropped in the second half. Theyhad been playing at 100 miles an hour and it is hard to maintain that kind ofpace for 90 minutes.' [LNB]Wenger also hailed match winner Andrey Arshavin, who scored four times in lastseason's 4-4 draw at Anfield and grabbed the crucial goal against theMerseysiders on Sunday. [LNB]The Frenchman said: 'He had an injured right foot, he has not been able topractice his shooting all week. But when he hit that shot, he forgot all aboutthe pain.' [LNB] Top Gunner: Arshavin smashes the ball past Johnson and into the net for Arsenal's winner against Liverpool[LNB]Wenger also confirmed Arsenal will continue to investigate the chances of acompensation claim against the Dutch FA following the injury to Robin van Persiewhile on international duty. [LNB]He said: 'I am looking to re-balance the power more towards the clubs. Thatfeeling is shared by many managers. We have nothing to say, our players go away with their countries and getinjured and nobody cares and we have to just accept the situation. [LNB]'We have two situations - compensation for competitive games, but none forfriendlies. [LNB]'Why should that be? The risk is exactly the same. If a player is injuredearly in the week with his country, why does the club doctor not have the rightto see the player before he continues to train with his national team? [LNB]'The national team doctor is under pressure, politically, to keep theplayers. After a week the player returns to his club, he is injured and nobody knowswhy - with our own doctors having been unable to see the player.' [LNB] No homage to Catalonia from Wenger as Cruyff picks Fabregas for charity match Walcott insists Arsenal can win the title without crocked ace Van PersieAnfield wonder strike topped my four goal haul, says Arsenal hero Arshavin Arsenal have the quality Liverpool lack to win Premier League, insists Parlour You're not fit to wear the shirt! Wenger blast inspires Arsenal win at Liverpool [LNB] Explore more:People:Carlo Ancelotti, Robin van Persie, Andrey Arshavin, Arsene WengerPlaces:Liverpool
