FOOTBALL

ARSENE WENGER: GIVING DIDIER DROGBA THE TREATMENT

Didier Drogba is Chelsea's top tormentor

Sunday February 7,2010

By Jim Holden

Comment Speech Bubble Have your say(0)

ARSENE WENGER delivered a blunt double challenge to his talented Arsenal team on the eve of today’s showdown with Chelsea that will reveal whether the young Gunners are credible title challengers this season.

One is the need to shackle Chelsea striker Didier Drogba, who has a blistering scoring record against Arsenal. The second is to rediscover their self-belief in big matches after what Arsene Wenger described as the “trauma” of losing at home last weekend to Manchester United.

It was a determined but diplomatic Arsenal manager speaking ahead of a crucial fixture, and it was fascinating to hear him acknowledge Drogba as “a great striker”.

When Drogba’s goals inspired Chelsea to a Premier League victory at the Emirates earlier this season, Wenger claimed the Ivory Coast star had done little in the match. A few months on the mood was different.

“You give Drogba one minute of freedom, and he can take advantage and, whoosh, it’s enough,” said Wenger. “That’s why he is a great player.

“Last weekend we gave Man United too much freedom. We want to be tighter in our marking against Chelsea. We have to be against players like Drogba.

“People ask if he intimidates our defenders. No, that’s not how I see it. Drogba has a remarkable record overall in the game, not just against Arsenal.

“What I said after the last game against Chelsea was misinterpreted. I said he didn’t do much in the game, quantity wise, and statistically I was quite right. But he needs only a minute of freedom.”

Defeat against Manchester United last Sunday made it eight matches since Arsenal have beaten either them or Chelsea.

“That doesn’t look good,” said Wenger, when the statistic was put to him. “We fight to change the statistics in our favour. You know, we started quite well in the game last weekend. We had the early chances but the first goal for United made us start to doubt ourselves. That’s where we were insecure.

He added: “We have quality and we have surprised everyone this season, so we should go for it. We have real quality, top quality. We have to add a fraction of belief. We have to find that within our group.

“When you have not won a trophy it seems harder to do than it actually is. What we have to do is turn in a great performance against Chelsea.

“If we play to our very best we will win. We went to Chelsea in the League last year and won the game. I believe we will respond in this game.”