By Carla Hilton Last updated: 27th December 2007
Clichy: Title race will be tough
They may have slipped off the top of the table at the halfway stage of the season but Arsenal are still in control according to defender Gael Clichy.
The Gunners could only manage a goalless draw at Fratton Park which allowed Manchester United to leap-frog them into the top spot on Boxing Day.
But the 22-year-old Frenchman believes his side can regain their top-of-the-table status should they maintain the high standard of play they have set so far this season.
"I think it's not too bad," he told the club's official website. "It's a shame we couldn't stay top until the New Year but that's the way it is. Manchester United are a strong side, Liverpool and Chelsea as well.
"We know the race for the title is going to be tough. United have gone in front of us but let's do a good job at Everton at the weekend.
"We can be first again in the New Year. It would be great for us and the fans."
Before the start of the season Arsenal were tipped by critics to slump after the departure of Thierry Henry. Many believed that Spurs would overtake their North London rivals in the Premier League top four.
But Arsenal have done quite the opposite. With 44 points in 19 games the Gunners have far exceeded expectations so far this season.
Asked if he was surprised at his side's promising position, Clichy said: "No, not at all.
"When you play for a club like Arsenal you want to just win all the games and be the best at the top level.
"Week-in week-out you have to be focused for every game, even in the Carling Cup. You have to be ready because the team needs you.
"The objective is the same - we have to win, and win again."
| Time | Fixture |
|---|---|
| Saturday 18th October | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Arsenal vs Everton |
| Tuesday 21st October | |
| UEFA Champions League | |
| 19:45 | Fenerbahce vs Arsenal |
| Sunday 26th October | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 16:00 | West Ham vs Arsenal |
| Wednesday 29th October | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 20:00 | Arsenal vs Tottenham |
| Saturday 1st November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Stoke vs Arsenal |
| Wednesday 5th November | |
| UEFA Champions League | |
| 19:45 | Arsenal vs Fenerbahce |
| Saturday 8th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 12:45 | Arsenal vs Man Utd |
| Saturday 15th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Arsenal vs Aston Villa |
| Saturday 22nd November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Man City vs Arsenal |
| Tuesday 25th November | |
| UEFA Champions League | |
| 19:45 | Arsenal vs Dynamo Kiev |
| Sunday 30th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 16:00 | Chelsea vs Arsenal |
| Saturday 6th December | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Arsenal vs Wigan |
| Wednesday 10th December | |
| UEFA Champions League | |
| 19:45 | FC Porto vs Arsenal |
| Saturday 13th December | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Middlesbrough vs Arsenal |
| Friday 26th December | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Aston Villa vs Arsenal |
| Sunday 28th December | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 14:00 | Arsenal vs Portsmouth |
| Saturday 10th January | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Arsenal vs Bolton |
| Saturday 17th January | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Hull vs Arsenal |
| Time | Result |
|---|---|
| Saturday 4th October | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Sunderland 1 - 1 Arsenal | |
| Tuesday 30th September | |
| UEFA Champions League | |
| Arsenal 4 - 0 FC Porto | |
| Saturday 27th September | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Arsenal 1 - 2 Hull | |
| Tuesday 23rd September | |
| Carling Cup | |
| Arsenal 6 - 0 Sheff Utd | |
| Saturday 20th September | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Bolton 1 - 3 Arsenal | |
| Wednesday 17th September | |
| UEFA Champions League | |
| Dynamo Kiev 1 - 1 Arsenal | |
| Saturday 13th September | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Blackburn 0 - 4 Arsenal | |
| Saturday 30th August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Arsenal 3 - 0 Newcastle | |
| Wednesday 27th August | |
| UEFA Champions League Qualifying | |
| Arsenal 4 - 0 FC Twente | |
| Saturday 23rd August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Fulham 1 - 0 Arsenal | |
| Saturday 16th August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Arsenal 1 - 0 West Brom | |
| Wednesday 13th August | |
| UEFA Champions League Qualifying | |
| FC Twente 0 - 2 Arsenal | |
| Saturday 9th August | |
| Friendly Match | |
| Arsenal 1 - 1 Sevilla | |
| Friday 8th August | |
| Friendly Match | |
| Ajax 2 - 3 Arsenal | |
| Wednesday 6th August | |
| Friendly Match | |
| Huddersfield 1 - 2 Arsenal | |
| Sunday 3rd August | |
| Friendly Match | |
| Arsenal 1 - 0 Real Madrid | |
| Saturday 2nd August | |
| Friendly Match | |
| Arsenal 0 - 1 Juventus | |
| Wednesday 30th July | |
| Friendly Match | |
| VfB Stuttgart 1 - 3 Arsenal | |
| Monday 28th July | |
| Friendly Match | |
| Burgenland 2 - 10 Arsenal | |
| Tuesday 22nd July | |
| Friendly Match | |
| Szombathelyi Haladas 1 - 1 Arsenal | |
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Liverpool | 7 | 17 |
| 3 | Hull City | 7 | 14 |
| 4 | Arsenal | 7 | 13 |
| 5 | Aston Villa | 7 | 13 |
| 6 | West Ham United | 7 | 12 |
The first weekend of October in the Premier League finds harmony in performance analysis.
Skysports.com's James Dall jets out to Italy to interview and train with Patrick Vieira in Milan.
Theo Walcott has pleaded for patience from England supporters after the victory over Kazakhstan.
Kolo Toure has rejected claims that he and William Gallas lack the height to succeed as a defensive pairing.
Robert Pires has urged the FFF to appoint Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger as national team coach.
Alexander Hleb has intimated that his Arsenal departure paved the way for Theo Walcott's progression.
Alexander Hleb is badgering former Arsenal team-mate Cesc Fabregas to join him at Barcelona.