Wenger - So close, yet so far

Gunners boss rues season-defining defeat

By James Dall   Last updated: 29th April 2008

Wenger - So close, yet so far

Wenger: So close

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Arsene Wenger feels his Arsenal side were 'one game away' from securing this season's Premier League crown.

The Gunners enjoyed a marvellous beginning to the 2007/08 campaign, but their form derailed after they drew at Birmingham in February.

Wenger's men guaranteed a third-placed finish on Monday as they routed Derby County 6-2 at Pride Park.

The result leaves Arsenal four points behind Manchester United and Chelsea, with two games of the season remaining.

Good season

And Wenger has lamented early April's 2-1 loss at Manchester United; a result he believes was the difference between winning and losing the championship.

"I feel we were one game away in this championship. If we win at Old Trafford, we are champions," he said.

"It's just one game, and in that game we were 1-0 up and we had two or three chances to score the second goal, so you cannot say we had a bad season.

"We have 77 points and we have won championships with 78."

Wenger also commented on Mathieu Flamini's uncertain future at Emirates Stadium, adding: "I'm waiting for him to come back to me and tell me whether he's going."

Fabianski

Meanwhile, goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski, who made his first league start against The Rams on Monday evening, has voiced his determination to push for a regular starting role.

He said: "I am not here just to be the second goalkeeper, I want to be the main goalkeeper.

"Manuel (Almunia) and Jens (Lehmann) are fine goalkeepers and we all get on well but I will be fighting to be ahead of them."