Wenger hopes to avoid blip

Gunners boss expecting tough month

Last updated: 11th November 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Wenger hopes to avoid blip

Wenger: Preparing for November

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Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger hopes his team can overcome what promises to be a tricky November.

Wenger's side are currently five points behind Premier League leaders Chelsea with a game in hand, and the title rivals clash at the Emirates Stadium later in the month.

The Gunners usually suffer a blip in form during November, but have so far started well after two 4-1 wins against Wolves and AZ Alkmaar.

Wenger is hoping to extend Arsenal's run of 13 games unbeaten in all competitions, but realises recent history suggests they are about to go on a poor spell.

"Traditionally November has not been a good month for us," he said.

"But I explain that by the fact we had more injuries - it is the first period when they kick in.

"It depends on the fixtures too - you can have two or three difficult games in November. You have decisive games in the Champions League and the players go on international duty.

"Now we have that break and all the players fly away so let's hope they all fly back in good shape.

"After that we go to Sunderland (on 21st November) and that is always a difficult place to go."

Fixtures

Between the Sunderland and Chelsea games, Arsenal host Standard Liege in the UEFA Champions League, before a Carling Cup tie against Manchester City at the beginning of December.

Young midfielder Jack Wilshere, who is currently out with an ankle problem, hopes to make his comeback in the City game, after a frustrating spell on the sidelines.

"I picked up my injury in training but I should be back for the Manchester

City game," he told the club's official website.

"It will be good to play against Manchester City and I hope they play a full team.

"We will go there and believe we can win and hopefully we can. I think now we are into the last eight it is realistic for us to win the trophy.

"I think we can beat Manchester City and if we do then the competition will be wide open. We can go all the way."

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