Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger believes the decision by bookmakers to pay out on Chelsea defending their Premiership title will backfire and spur his side to challenge their London rivals.
Paddy Power, who are ironically one of Arsenal’s own sponsors, and BetFred have already paid out to punters who staked money on Chelsea winning the Premiership this season even though the season is only seven games old.
However, while Chelsea are 11 points clear of Arsenal and 10 clear of Manchester United — albeit having played one game more than either of their main rivals — Wenger insists the race is far from over.
”If you look at the table, Chelsea have a big advantage, but I’m not one of those who thinks the championship is over. Those bookmakers are taking a big risk,” said Wenger.
”Last time they paid out [against us], we won the title, so that’s a good sign!”
That occurred in 1998, when Arsenal came from behind to overhaul Manchester United in the closing straight, although they were similarly overtaken by United in 2003.
Wenger, whose own side were deemed invincible just under a year ago when they went to Old Trafford with a 49-game league run behind them, added: ”There’s only one way of thinking at the moment — and everybody goes down that route.
”But football is more surprising than that. What looks obvious on September 29 can be completely different in November. We’ve seen it before. It was like that for us.”
The Arsenal boss believes his side’s midweek Champions League victory away to Ajax has given them added belief, especially as Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp and Gilberto were ruled out of that game through injury.
Henry is still sidelined along with Philippe Senderos, while Bergkamp and Gilberto both face fitness tests before Sunday’s game against Birmingham at Highbury.
”I was very happy with the teamwork, the spirit in the squad and the belief we showed in Amsterdam,” observed Wenger.
”We scored two goals way from home in the Champions League and we didn’t always do that with everybody here. Of course, I would always want Thierry Henry in the team.
”But the fact that we showed we can win without him will make us stronger when he comes back.” — Sapa-AFP