Wenger wants 'top class' Arsenal display
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
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Arsenal FC have a two-goal cushion against FC Twente but an early setback in their domestic campaign has ensured there will be no complacency on their part.
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Fulham reverse
Second-half goals from William Gallas and Emmanuel Adebayor gave Arsenal victory in the Netherlands a fortnight ago but Saturday's 1-0 defeat at Fulham FC raised questions about whether Arsène Wenger's young squad can sustain a challenge for European and domestic honours this season. The manager is hopeful the weekend reverse was merely a blip and declared at Craven Cottage: "We have a big game on Wednesday night and we have to respond with a top-class performance."
Fàbregas hope
Wenger's mood would have been brightened by the possibility that Cesc Fàbregas could return from a hamstring injury on Wednesday in a midfield shorn by the summer departures of Mathieu Flamini, Aleksandr Hleb and Gilberto. Tomáš Rosický remains out with a similar problem while defender Abou Diaby has a thigh injury, but Fàbregas – fresh from victory at UEFA EURO 2008™ – is not just thinking of the return against Twente but the possibility of another final in Rome come May. "We don't have to be afraid of anyone," he said. "We've seen in the last few seasons we can beat anybody so you have to be positive. You have to believe that you can do it again, at least make it to the final."
Inexperience
In their first competitive match under Steve McClaren, as well as their debut in the premier European club tournament, Twente put on a good show for the opening hour against Arsenal in Arnhem before being undone. "It proved our lack of European experience, and that is why we lost," said the former England manager. "I hope we can play well again as we want to improve. If we do that, then results in big matches like these will come."
Absentees
Making the job even more difficult is the hamstring tear suffered by striker Marko Arnautovic on Under-21 duty for Austria last week, especially as Twente's 2007/08 top scorer Blaise Nkufo remains suspended and right-back Luke Wilshire, who also started the first leg, has since been sold to FC Dinamo Moskva. Twente are yet to begin their domestic season but on 16 August lost their last warm-up friendly 1-0 to Spain's UD Almeria. Still, enthusiasm for Twente's first trip to England since a 3-2 UEFA Cup loss to Manchester City FC in 1978 is undiminished.