Wenger: 'We've not proved critics wrong - yet

By Chris Harris in Glasgow

Arsène Wenger insists it is far too early to boast that Arsenal have proved their doubters wrong this season.

The Frenchman's side were written off in most quarters ahead of the big kick-off but those same critics have hastily revised their assessment of Arsenal's prospects this term after their 6-1 thrashing of Everton.

Wenger is not the type to say "I told you so" - he is focused on Premier League points not point-scoring with the media. And besides, the Arsenal manager refuses to get carried away by Saturday's masterclass at Goodison Park. As far as he is concerned, that was just the first step on a very long road.

"I do not want to make a point, I want to do what is right for the Club, the team and help this team achieve success," said Wenger.

"It is a consequence of long, hard work and more than anything I want success for the Club and I believe we have potential to do it. But, as I said, I am long enough in the job to know that one game is one game.
 
"[Saturday's win] doesn’t diminish or increase my belief – my belief was full. If I read or listened too much to opinions I would not have done what I have done. But as well I am not naïve enough to think that in one game I have proven the people who doubt us wrong. For us it is down to consistency.
 
"If you look back at last season we have been very consistent from November until May. We lost two key games but only two key games and against very difficult opponents. But we have been remarkably consistent since November."

What Saturday's victory did do was instil self-belief in Wenger's squad - the perfect tonic as they prepare for visits to Celtic, Manchester United and Manchester City in the next four weeks. The manager knows all too well that a young team needs confidence to fulfil its potential.

"The confidence is a highly important factor," said Wenger.

"Life is about talent, attitude and opportunity. I believe that we have talent, attitude and we have a good opportunity in front of us to prove we are good enough so let’s take it.

"For example, many people were doubting our capacity to win away from home but I would just remind them that we were the team who scored the most goals away from home last season in the Premier League. So it cannot be a complete surprise to people who live with facts."

[Tuesday, August 18, 2009]

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