Wenger concentrates on football matters

Manager Arsene Wenger maintains the training ground and on the pitch will always be where the "real football" matters for Arsenal, not what may transpire in the boardroom.

The Gunners' preparations for tomorrow's opening Champions League clash against Sevilla at Emirates Stadium were overshadowed by the news Russian businessman Alisher Usmanov has increased his shareholding in the club.

Salad days: Cesc Fabregas

The purchase - which was announced this morning to the Stock Exchange - makes Usmanov's investment company, Red and White Holdings Limited, Arsenal's second-largest shareholder behind director Danny Fiszman.

Despite the continued speculation this latest move is likely to lead to a formal takeover and the possible return of former vice-chairman David Dein, who left the club last season after a rift with the board over the role of American investor Stan Kroenke, the Gunners boss insists nothing has changed in terms of his day-to-day responsibilities to keep the players focused on the job in hand.

Wenger said: "We are in a position where, at the moment, I don't feel there is anything big moving around the club or uncertainty surrounding the ownership.

"For me, it looks to be settled, the situation at the club.

"The directors don't need to reassure me because they have already come out and said they don't need to sell."

Wenger added: "You are here in London Colney (where Arsenal's training ground is based) - here is the real football of the club. You can look around and see no-one who is interfering.

"We are focused on the game, preparing for the game and that is all we need.

"The happiness is linked to having a good football team which plays good football and I can work the way I like.

"It is a good feeling when you wake up in the morning and are happy to go to your job and that is what is happening for me.

"I drive out here every day, we are happy to do what we do and the board help make that possible."

Wenger - who earlier this month signed a new three-year deal with Arsenal - added: "Of course you care who is on the board because some people are more intrusive than others.

"But the tradition at Arsenal Football Club has always been for a manager to do his work like he wants to do it. That is the tradition of the club."

Another "tradition" which Wenger has instilled since his arrival at the north London club a decade ago is a first-class global scouting network and the development of young talent.

One such player to have benefited from Wenger's guidance has been Cesc Fabregas.

The 20-year-old Spain midfielder has taken over the mantle from former talisman Thierry Henry to become the key man for Arsenal this season.

Fabregas has netted five goals - already more than the whole of last season - including a fine strike in the 3-1 win at arch-rivals Tottenham on Saturday.

Wenger believes the best is yet to come from the former Barcelona trainee, whom he has likened to French superstar Michel Platini, a former double world footballer of the year and triple European player of the year.

"Fabregas is young and he has to improve. That is all he has to do and let other people judge how good he is," said Wenger.

"I have played him since he was 16 so I must believe he is good.

"He has not to worry too much about how other people see him. He must worry more about how he can develop."

Wenger reflected: "His vision is comparable to Platini. It is a compliment.

"He is at the start of his career and we know that Platini has made his career. Cesc has it all in front of him, but he has a vision.

"He will still develop. I remember Platini was more of a striker and Cesc is more of a midfielder.

"He is adding that element to his game, but Platini had more of a striker mentality.

"He could stay quiet for a game thinking 'I will score a goal'.

Cesc is a guy who likes to be at the heart of things. It is not the same position and not the same psychology."

Wenger feels Fabregas has the burning desire to become, like Platini, one of the finest of his generation.

"In the heart of every player is the belief that he will be best player in the world. That keeps him going. It is like that with Cesc and [Steven] Gerrard - everybody.

"Everybody must have that belief - but is more important to make the maximum out of your talent, that is how you gain respect."

Usmanov Ramps Up Arsenal Stake to 21%

Billionaire Alisher Usmanov raised his stake in Arsenal Football Club to 21 percent Tuesday, prompting speculation that he may make a takeover bid for the club.

Red and White Holdings, a company owned by Kremlin-friendly tycoon Usmanov and his business partner, Farhad Moshiri, said in a statement that it was now the second-largest shareholder in Arsenal.

A spokesman for Red and White said the businessmen had acquired the shares in the English Premier League football club in a series of transactions.

In a separate deal earlier this month, Usmanov and Moshiri acquired a 14.58 percent stake from David Dein. Under the agreement, Dein, who was forced off Arsenal's board in April after clashing with them over investment possibilities, became chairman of Red and White. Usmanov later said he aimed to increase his stake in Arsenal to 25 percent. Investments made by Usmanov and Moshiri to date are said to be around ?110 million ($220 million).

Geneva-based diamond trader Danny Fiszman is the club's largest shareholder, with a 24.11 percent stake. Other major shareholders include Lady Nina Bracewell-Smith, with a 15 percent stake, and U.S. billionaire Stan Kroenke, with a 12.19 percent stake.

Tim Paynton, board director of the Arsenal Supporters' Trust, which has a 3 percent stake in the club, said Red and White acquired the shares from London-based hedge fund Lansdowne Partners and Birol Nadir, son of controversial Turkish-Cypriot businessman Asil Nadir.

Lansdowne Partners, which is reported to own a 3 percent stake, was unable to comment Tuesday.

Small shareholders currently hold between 11 percent and 12 percent.

"They are now quite pivotal," Paynton said. "For investment reasons, it is unlikely that they would sell."

Under British takeover law, Usmanov would be obliged to begin a formal takeover for the club if his combined stake reached 29.9 percent, although he has said he has no plans to make a hostile bid.

Some insiders believe that he is only biding his time, however.

Under an April "lockdown" agreement, Arsenal directors are prohibited from selling their shares before April 2008. The agreement was drawn up to fend off an anticipated takeover bid from Stan Kroenke.

Fiszman has repeatedly said he does not intend to sell and that he will retain his stake beyond the April 2008 deadline.

Fiszman sold around 1 percent of his holding for ?4 million to Kroenke earlier this year, taking his stake to below 25 percent. He also sold his London home and moved to Switzerland, which would allow him to avoid paying taxes on capital gains in Britain if he chooses to unload his remaining interests in the club.

British media reports over the weekend suggested that Kroenke might be willing to sell his stake.

Usmanov's march on the prestigious club has been viewed with some contention.

"In the back of everyone's minds will be the question: Where did this money come from?" said Harry Philp, managing director of Hermes Sports Partners.

Ramos will not be distracted by Spurs talk

Sevilla coach Juande Ramos was focused on Arsenal rather than Tottenham on the eve of his side's Champions League clash at the Emirates Stadium.

Ramos met with Spurs officials last month and has talked about an "offer" since, although he has been concentrating more on Sevilla's first Champions League campaign of late.

High and mighty: Former Spurs striker Frederic Kanoute I'm just thinking about the game against Arsenal," he said. "I don't want to get distracted by rumours and speculation."

He did, however, discuss his admiration for English football.

"I love this league (the Barclays Premier League)," he added. "The Spanish league is very good as well and Italy has champions."

Getting Sevilla into the Champions League has seen Ramos's reputation soar over the last year, and it is where Spurs want to be playing after investing around £40million on players this summer.

Spurs will be playing this week in the UEFA Cup, which Ramos has won in the last two seasons.

"After two years in the UEFA Cup and with good performances, we needed this jump to the Champions League," said Ramos.

"I think our team is ready to fight for this now - I hope they respond in the right way.

"It's a new competition for us and for me too. We are looking forward to it."

Ramos hopes his side can dedicate their campaign to Antonio Puerta, the Sevilla defender who recently died, although he expects a tough test against Arsenal.

He added: "We hope that we are trying to move forward. Our football players know the best way to remember him is to win matches.

"Puerta would have loved to have played in the competition and we'll dedicate it to him."

Ramos added: "Arsenal are the favourites in the group, logically. They have more experience in the competition. A result that is not a defeat is good for us. If we get a victory it will be a great result.

"They lost their best player (Thierry Henry) last year but have improved as a team. They are balanced and they are top of the league."

Frederic Kanoute, the former Spurs striker, will be leading the attack for Sevilla.

"I think we have found the right way to accommodate Kanoute," Ramos said.

"We have made him play in the right place in the team.

"He was very close to being the top scorer in Europe but couldn't play in the last few matches last season, so couldn't get it.

"He's started well and we are trying to keep him fit and healthy

Watch out Arsenal, these guys are high class'

Frederic Kanoute

It's difficult to have a conversation about Sevilla at the moment without mentioning Antonio Puerta.

The Spain international, just 22, died three days after suffering a heart attack in Sevilla's La Liga game against Getafe on August 25. The shadow of Puerta's death has loomed large over Juande Ramos' team ever since.

Sevilla's players have done their former team-mate proud on the pitch, outclassing AEK Athens in the Champions League qualifiers to advance to the group stage of the competition for the first time. Not that Sevilla lack pedigree - they have won back-to-back Uefa Cups and are arguably the biggest threat to the Spanish duopoly of Barcelona and Real Madrid.

We spoke to Spanish journalist Inigo Gurruchaga of El Correo ahead of Wednesday's eagerly-awaited Group H opener. Read on for his insight on Spain's reaction to the Puerta tragedy, Sevilla's meteoric rise, the men Arsenal need to watch at Emirates Stadium and the reasons why tomorrow night's game should be remembered for the right reasons.

Inigo, how much has Puerta's death affected Sevilla and Spanish football in general?

It depends because Spain is a country with a great variety of landscapes and cultures. In Seville there are processions at Easter where people are singing and wailing to the statue of the Virgin and wearing dark clothes. There is so much passion surrounding it and this is a great cultural event in Seville. You don't see that at all in other areas of Spain, for example in Barcelona, Madrid or Galicia in the north. The same has happened with the Puerta phenomenon because in Seville you see the emotions of a city expressed very publicly while in other parts of Spain people feel sad but they do not express themselves to the same degree. But obviously all across the country it is seen as a tragedy and a great loss.

On the pitch Sevilla seem as strong as ever after two convincing wins in Europe and two more in La Liga.

It was very traumatic in their first game after Puerta's death. I saw the pictures of the squad coming back from Athens and they were shaking because one of their team-mates had died. But it is a very cosmopolitan team so each player has different ways of dealing with their grief. There has been a certain seriousness about the players and when I saw them beat Huelva at the weekend the team didn't show they were in mourning. They were clinical, it was a very impressive display, despite having the Puerta tragedy hanging over them. They have played very consistently and played very high-quality football.

Sevilla have lost some big names in recent years, including Reyes and Baptista, but they have continued to improve. Why do you think that is?

There have been two phases in the birth of Sevilla. They were in the second division at the beginning of the century and Joaquin Caparros, now the manager of Atletico Bilbao, built a team from a very modest resources. He was managing the academy team and Sevilla had no money but he built a team spirit as well as a good team. They brought in good local players but they had an inner spirit. In that team there were players like Reyes and they were very impressive. They went up very quickly. What has been very clear is that Sevilla have a good scouting system because they pick up players who are not well known but become good team players for Sevilla.

Juande Ramos came to a project which had already been set up very well and was able to sign some very good players and gel them together in the same spirit of team play. In Seville and the south there is sometimes a culture of individuality, of extravagant displays and a lack of discipline, but these two managers have built a good team spirit and they have made Sevilla very successful very quickly.

Who are Sevilla's key men? A lot of their play seems to go through Frederic Kanoute in attack.

I am happy you mention Kanoute because I know he is a former Tottenham player but he really is a crucial player for Sevilla. I find him extraordinary, he is extremely difficult to defend against because he is fast, he has long legs. Maybe he does not have a great touch and sometimes misses opportunities, he is not a superstar, but he is moving all the time, he is always causing trouble for defenders. He gives so many opportunities to guys who play around him like Luis Fabiano. Maybe others will score more goals but Kanoute does some fantastic work.

Alves is one of the defining players of Sevilla, he is small, kind of a Speedy Gonzalez player. Their midfield against Hueva was so fast, even when the game was in their pocket they had so much pace and movement. They have some terrific players - Jesus Navas combines with Alves very well and they move the ball around very quickly. They certainly have strength in depth.

Sevilla like to attack, as do Arsenal. Can we expect an entertaining game on Wednesday?

It should be a good game. For me it is good news is that Javi Navarro is injured because I find players who have reputations for being hard men are not to my taste. They spoil the game. Navarro has a reputation as a tough defender who goes for the body of the player so I am happy he is out because there will be no nastiness. Both games play technical football after all. Possibly there is a question mark over Sevilla's defence without Navarro but Arsenal need to watch out because these guys play some high-class football.

Picture exclusive: Arsenal squad in training

The Arsenal squad trained at their London Colney base ahead of the Champions League tie against Sevilla. The Spaniards are the season's first visitors to Emirates Stadium in the group stage of the competition and are sure to provide a stern test for Arsenè Wenger's men.

The players practise their passing

The squad gather round to stretch

Wenger offers his advice

Flamini jostles with Denilson

Walcott holds off Traore

Walcott holds off Flamini's challenge

Van Persie shows good control

Almunia talks to Sagna and Toure

The Spanish keeper makes a save

Diaby and Toure share a joke

New boy Sagna looks happy

The boss and Pat Rice reflect

Kanoute confident of Sevilla success

Kanoute played for both West Ham and the Gunners' arch-rivals Tottenham during a five-year stint in England before joining Sevilla in 2005, and the Mali international is hoping for a happy trip back to England.

Sevilla open their Champions League group stage at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday, and Kanoute sees no reason why the back-to-back UEFA Cup winners cannot begin with a victory over Arsenal.

"I believe that we can win, I have faith that we can go far in the competition but we will have to see after each game," said Kanoute, who scored twice on Sunday as Sevilla downed Recreativo Huelva 4-1 in La Liga.

"We are going to have matches in the Champions League that are much more difficult than in the UEFA Cup, but the team is prepared and ready for this competition.

"We have a better squad than last year, with more experience, and more players. For every position there are two or three players."

Sevilla's victory over Recreativo was their second successive 4-1 win of the Spanish season, and they are currently second in the table with six points from two games - three points behind leaders Real Madrid.

Arsenal are also flying high in the Premier League, with Saturday's 3-1 derby win over Spurs lifting them to the top of the table.

Kanoute knows it is not going to be easy for his side on Wednesday, saying: "Arsenal are a team who play very fast going forward, and who are very attacking.

"We can win, I know their team and if we can nullify their key player, Cesc (Fabregas), and we start quickly as always, I believe we can achieve the win."

Confident though he is of a good result in north London, Kanoute still believes Arsenal are the slight favourites to progress from a Champions League group that also includes Steaua Bucharest and Slavia Prague.

"Arsenal are bigger favourites than us because they have more experience in this competition," said the 30-year-old.

Arsenal v Sevilla BIG MATCH STATS

Head-to-heads

These clubs have never met in a European cup competition.

European history

Arsenal have won two European trophies in club history. In 1969-70 they won the Fairs Cup and in 1993-94 they conquered the Cup Winners' Cup. Their best result in the Champions league proper is finishing runners-up to FC Barcelona in 2005-06.

Sevilla join Slavia Prague as the only debutants in the Champions League this season.

Current European form

Arsenal secured a CL qualification berth by finishing fourth in the Premier League last season. In qualifying, they advanced at the expense of Sparta Prague, whom they beat 2-0 away and 3-0 at home. The Gunners have not lost any of their last 16 European home matches, since the 1-2 reverse by Chelsea on 6 April, 2004.

Sevilla earned a berth into the qualifying rounds by finishing third in the Primera Division last season. They crushed AEK Athens 6-1 on aggregate to become the 101st club in CL history to reach the group stage.

Player and disciplinary info

Jens Lehmann is Arsenal's most experienced player in the Champions league, having played 57 matches. Tomas Rosicky is the Gunners' most productive player, having scored eight career CL goals.

Sevilla's most experienced players are goalkeeper Andres Palop and striker Arouna Kone; both have made 11 appearances. Kone and Javier Chevanton lead Sevilla players in career CL goal scoring with two goals each.

Other miscellaneous facts

Arsenal lead the Premier League having taken 13 points from five matches.

With six points out of six, Sevilla are in second place in the Primera Division.

All four teams drawn into Group H have reached the group phase via the qualifying stages. Group H is the only group solely made up of qualifiers.

PREVIEW-Soccer-Sevilla face tough debut against in-form Arsenal

LONDON, Sept 18 (Reuters) - UEFA Cup holders Sevilla look set for a baptism of fire when they make their Champions League debut against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday.

The Spaniards are making their second visit to north London in just over five months after drawing 2-2 with Tottenham Hotspur in the UEFA Cup in April. It is unlikely their visit to Arsenal will begin quite like their trip to Spurs.

Already 2-1 up from the first leg of their quarter-final tie, Sevilla scored twice in the opening eight minutes to go 4-1 ahead on aggregate at White Hart Lane, eventually advancing 4-3 and going on to win the UEFA Cup for the second successive season.

Former Spurs striker Frederic Kanoute scored Sevilla's second that night and he is currently in blistering form this season, scoring twice on Sunday as Sevilla beat Recreativo Huelva 4-1 to take second spot in La Liga behind champions Real Madrid.

Kanoute will lead Sevilla's attacking line against his old rivals with considerable help from Russian Alexander Kerzhakov, who also scored twice on Sunday and missed a penalty.

He makes his second visit to London in a week after being part of the Russia team beaten 3-0 by England at Wembley last Wednesday.

Buoyed this season's form, Sevilla are confident they can cause Arsenal a few problems.

They hammered AEK Athens 6-1 on aggregate to qualify for the group stage and have netted eight goals in their two Primera Liga matches played so far.

Centre back Javi Navarro is sidelined with an injury and Brazilian midfielder Adriano Correia is also missing, but Brazilian striker Luis Fabiano, French defender Julien Escude, and German fullback Andreas Hinkel all return.

UNBEATEN START

Arsenal go into the game after a 3-1 win at Tottenham on Saturday which preserved their unbeaten start to the season and saw them rise to the top of the Premier League for the first time since October 2004.

The principal architect of Arsenal's win was 20-year-old Spaniard Cesc Fabregas who scored an outstanding goal -- his fifth of the season -- and whose passing and movement in midfield was excellent.

Arsenal ooze confidence and style and although Sevilla are sure to test a back line missing the injured William Gallas (groin) and Emmanuel Eboue (ankle), Arsenal start as clear favourites to began their 10th successive season in the Champions League proper with a victory.

Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger is taking nothing for granted and told the UEFA Web site (www.uefa.com): "I know Sevilla very well and I think they are one of the best teams in Europe."

Sevilla boss Juande Ramos, touted as a possible future manager of Spurs, is under no illusions about Wednesday's task.

"I hope we are ready, in theory we should be having won the UEFA Cup twice. We will see in our first few games just how ready we are," he told reporters

Probable teams:

Arsenal: 24-Manuel Almunia; 3-Bacary Sagna, 5-Kolo Toure, 6-Philippe Senderos, 22-Gael Clichy; 13-Aleksandr Hleb, 4-Cesc Fabregas, 19-Gilberto Silva, 7-Tomas Rosicky; 25-Emmanuel Adebayor, 11-Robin van Persie

Sevilla: 1-Andres Palop; 4-Daniel Alves, 14-Julien Escude, 23-Khalid Boulahrouz, 3-Ivica Dragutinovic; 7-Jesus Navas, 21-Seydou Keita, 11-Renato, 5-Duda; 10-Luis Fabiano, 12-Frederic Kanoute.

Referee: Peter Frojdfeldt (Sweden)

Alisher Usmanov increases his stake in Arsenal

The battle for Arsenal looks set to intensify after the Uzbek billionaire, Alisher Usmanov, went on a new share buying spree yesterday, snapping up more than three per cent of the club in a series of deals which could be worth as much as £20 million.An official announcement by Usmanov's investment company, Red and White Holdings, has confirmed they have increased their shareholding in Arsenal to 21 per cent to become the second largest shareholder at the club. Usmanov is now the second largest shareholder in the club and the move is the strongest indication yet that he is determined to launch a full takeover bid for the north London team.

The vast bulk of the shares sold to him yesterday came from investment company Lansdowne Partners, who previously held around three per cent. It is believed Usmanov may have paid as much as £10,000 per share for their stake – way above the market price of £8,000.

At the same time, he secured another 0.5 per cent from smaller shareholders for around £2.6 million.

Usmanov, one of Russia's richest men, first emerged as a potential bidder for Arsenal when he bought 14.65 per cent from former vice chairman David Dein for £75 million at the end of August.

Within days of installing Dein as chairman of Red and White and charging him with the task of buying up more shares, another 271 were snapped up by Usmanov for about £2 million, taking his holding to just below 15 per cent.

For the time being, however, any takeover approach from either Usmanov or the American sports tycoon Stan Kroenke, who owns 12 per cent, will be blocked by shareholders on the Arsenal board, who have signed a 'lockdown' agreement preventing them from selling their 44 per cent holding in the club until at least next April.

Danny Fiszman, who is the biggest shareholder in the club with 24 per cent, has told supporters he has no intention of selling out.

On Monday, the club will reveal their latest financial results which will show the move to the Emirates Stadium has helped close the financial gap between them and the country's richest club, Manchester United.

Jens Lehmann determined to defy pain

Jens Lehmann has given Arsène Wenger a selection problem by declaring himself fit for tomorrow’s Champions League group H opening match against Seville. The Germany goalkeeper is still suffering from soreness in his elbow, but insists he can play through the pain to take his place against the Spaniards.

Lehmann is concerned that missing a Champions League match will see him fall farther behind Manuel Almunia, though given the nervous manner in which the Spanish goalkeeper has performed in his absence, he should not be unduly worried.

Almunia was beaten at his near post by a free kick from Gareth Bale against Tottenham Hotspur last Saturday and presented Dimitar Berbatov with an excellent opportunity to give the home side a 2-0 lead by rushing from his line to little effect.

For all his weaknesses, Wenger may still select Almunia, as he is aware that Lehmann’s elbow problem will need nurturing through a long season. The 37-year-old has not played for Arsenal since making errors against Fulham and Blackburn Rovers in the opening two Barclays Premier League matches of the season.

Eduardo will return to the squad after being rested for the North London derby, though William Gallas (groin) and Emmanuel Eboué (ankle) remain doubtful.

SEVILLE coach Juande Ramos will waltz into the Emirates tomorrow night — and show Spurs how you beat Arsenal.

That is the view of Seville’s Brazil right-back Daniel Alves who reckons frustrated Tottenham fans will be cursing their luck at missing out on Ramos.

Spurs botched an attempt to replace under-fire Martin Jol with the Spanish coach three weeks ago.

Ramos met with White Hart Lane officials but the deal fell apart after the meeting was made public.

Seville arrive in London today for their Champions League match at Arsenal having started their season undefeated.

Arsene Wenger’s side may be flying high at the top of the Premier League after their 3-1 derby win on Saturday but Alves rates Ramos alongside the Gunners’ boss.

Alves said: “Seville play in a very similar style to Arsenal. We are fast, attacking and play the game in a beautiful way and that is because of Jaunde Ramos.

“It is his football philosophy and it is very close to Arsene Wenger’s. I think that will make this match a great occasion.

The players are all very happy that our coach decided not to go to Tottenham.

ALVES ... Seville ace

“He is loved and respected at Seville. I think he stayed out of loyalty because we were already preparing for the new season and the time to leave was wrong.

“If Spurs had made their move at the end of last season maybe they would have a new manager now.”

Having become the first team — and coach — to successfully defend the UEFA Cup, Seville are keen to make the most of their first appearance in the Champions League.

Alves added: “This is a very big moment for us. We are very confident and we are already playing the kind of football that made us the team we were last season.

“Arsenal are a strong side with great young players. They are one of the favourites to win the Premier League and the Champions League — but we have no fear. I saw their match with Spurs last weekend and the way they play is no surprise to us. We play the same style and this has the possibility to be a beautiful contest.

“But we know if we can win at the Emirates then we will have gone a long way to qualifying for the next phase.”

Alves admits he is still getting over the heartbreak of seeing his move to Chelsea wrecked. The Brazilian was poised to join the Blues for £21million in the summer before Seville upped the asking price.

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich refused to pay £24m and Jose Mourinho bought fellow Brazilian Julio Belletti for £2.1m instead.

Alves said: “The opportunity came up and I wanted to join but it didn’t happen. I am still coming to terms with the situation and trying to move on and look to the future.

“I was angry and confused by the way things happened but I have to concentrate on Seville now and start to turn the pages.”

Wenger weary of Seville threat

They may be UEFA Champions League debutants but Arsenal FC manager Arsène Wenger is under no illusions as to the quality of their opening night opponents, describing Sevilla FC as "one of the best sides in Europe".

Tricky opponents
Arsenal meet the two-times UEFA Cup holders in London on Wednesday and Wenger, who is embarking on his tenth consecutive UEFA Champions League campaign as Gunners manager, knows that the Spanish side will prove tricky opponents, even if it is their first taste of action in Europe's élite club competition. "I know Sevilla very well and I think that they are one of the best sides in Europe," Wenger told uefa.com.

Important start
The 57-year-old Frenchman, whose side lost the 2005/06 UEFA Champions League final against FC Barcelona, also understands the importance of a good start in the competition. "It is a match which, from the very start, will dictate the potential of the two sides," he said. "It is important for us to play well as we are at home and we will need to be very focused both to prove that we are good enough at this level and, more importantly, to put us in a good position to qualify."

'Huge pleasure'
Wenger recently extended his contract until June 2011 and after agreeing to a deal that will in all likelihood make him Arsenal's longest serving manager, it is clear that he has lost none of his enthusiasm for his quest to clinch the ultimate European prize that still eludes him. "I'm looking forward to being involved in matches of the highest level," he said. "It's exciting, an adventure which, unfortunately, can often lead to disappointment because you can't reach the final every year but it's always a huge pleasure to be involved."

Improving quality
Arsenal's impressive start to the domestic campaign has seen them top the Premier League after five games and has also given Wenger great cause for optimism, although he is not looking any farther ahead than qualifying from a group containing Sevilla, FC Steaua Bucureşti and SK Slavia Praha: "Our first expectation is to qualify from the group stage. Then you hope for a draw that will allow you to go as far as possible. But I'm mainly hoping that we qualify from the group stage and that we play well because the quality of the competition improves year on year."

Arsenal beats Spurs to move top

Sept. 15 (Bloomberg) -- Arsenal rallied to defeat Tottenham 3-1 and move into first place in English soccer's Premier League, while Manchester United beat Everton for its third straight win and Liverpool and Chelsea were held to scoreless draws.

Emmanuel Adebayor scored two goals and Cesc Fabregas added the other for Arsenal, which has 13 points from five matches. Arsenal, which scored all of its goals in the final 25 minutes, hasn't lost to its north London rival since 1999.

``It shows our spirit and belief and I am very happy with our game and our mental strength and togetherness,'' Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said in an interview with the British Broadcasting Corp. ``We have showed them all again.''

Nemanja Vidic's goal in the 83rd minute gave Manchester United the victory as the defending champion joined Liverpool and Chelsea on 11 points.

In other games, Birmingham beat Bolton 1-0, Sunderland defeated Reading 2-1, West Ham beat Middlesbrough 3-0, and Wigan and Fulham drew 1-1.

At Tottenham's White Hart Lane stadium, Gareth Bale curled in a free kick in the 15th minute to give the host the early lead. Adebayor tied the game in the 65th minute when he met Fabregas's free kick and headed the ball past Paul Robinson.

Fabregas gave the visitors the lead 15 minutes later, bending a 30-yard shot into the top corner. Adebayor then clinched the victory with his second goal in stoppage time.

Vidic headed in a corner from Nani to give Manchester United its 13th win in 16 visits to Everton's Goodison Park. It was the third straight 1-0 win in the league for United.

Disallowed Goal

Chelsea looked to have taken the lead against Blackburn in the 58th minute when Salomon Kalou converted a pass from Julian Belletti. However, the linesman judged Kalou to be offside, though television replays appeared to show the call was wrong.

``I think we scored a goal and the result should be 1-0,'' Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho said in an interview with Setanta Sports. ``Only the linesman can say why it wasn't allowed.''

Jose Reina stopped a first-half penalty from Kanu to help Liverpool draw at Portsmouth. John Utaka shot wide and Sulley Muntari fired over the crossbar for the home team in the second half.

Strikes from Dean Ashton and Lee Bowyer, and an own goal from Luke Young gave West Ham the win over Middlesbrough. It was the first goal in 16 months for Ashton, who missed last season with a broken ankle.

Birmingham picked up its first home win of the season as Olivier Kapo's first-half goal beat Bolton. Sunderland ended a four-match losing streak on goals from Ross Wallace and Kenwyne Jones, making his home debut after signing from Southampton.

Wigan earned a draw as an 80th-minute penalty from Jason Koumas wiped out a first-half goal from Fulham's Clint Dempsey.

Manchester City is home to Aston Villa tomorrow, while Newcastle is at Derby in two days.

Arsenal conquer Spurs as Liverpool and Chelsea are held

Arsenal scored three goals in the second half to beat Tottenham 3-1 in the Premier League yesterday and extend its unbeaten streak over its north London rival to nearly eight years.

Arsenal went top of the standings with the win because of 0-0 draws in matches involving Liverpool and Chelsea.

Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina saved a penalty kick in a 0-0 draw at Portsmouth. Chelsea had a goal disallowed in its 0-0 draw with Blackburn.

Emmanuel Adebayor scored twice at White Hart Lane, with Cesc Fabregas putting Arsenal ahead for the first time in the 80th minute. Tottenham took the lead in the 15th through Gareth Bale, with Adebayor levelling in the 65th and adding Arsenal's third goal in the 90th.

"We had that midfield strength and that togetherness pushed us through," Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said. "It needed something special as Tottenham played well."

Manchester United also needed a late winner, with Nemanja Vidic heading into goal in the 83rd for the Red Devils to beat Everton 1-0.

Also Saturday it was: Birmingham 1, Bolton 0; Sunderland 2, Reading 1; West Ham 3, Middlesbrough 0; and Wigan 1, Fulham 1. On Sunday, Manchester City hosts Aston Villa.

Arsenal leads with 13 points, followed by Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea with 11 after a two-week international break. West Ham and Everton have 10 points.

"We feel we grow from game to game and become stronger and stronger," Wenger said.

Tottenham has not beaten Arsenal in any competition since November 1999, when it won a league match 2-1 at White Hart Lane. Spurs only have one win this season from six games.

"We should have killed them off but we didn't take our chances," Tottenham manager Martin Jol said. "We took the game to them and created chances. But they were clinical and that was the difference."

Spurs took the lead when Bale curled a 25-yard free kick around the wall and past Arsenal goalkeeper Manuel Almunia.

Diaby welcomes Viera comparison

Arsenal midfielder Abou Diaby has welcomed comparisons with former Gunners captain Patrick Vieira.The young Frenchman played in yesterday's victory at Tottenham and told L'Equipe: "This year counts a lot for me, I want to achieve a great season with Arsenal.

"It is flattering! [to be compared to Patrick Vieira] I dream that my career will be as good as his, and even better!

"Patrick is a great player, one of the best in the world and an example for me. I would love to discuss with him one day. He has a lot of things to teach me.

"But every time I was called up for France, he was injured. It will happen."

Beat Spurs and i will believe we can win the title

It sounds a little simplistic in that headline, but it’s something that has been brewing in my mind for some time. Our impressive start to the season has so far included just one away game - going to our neighbours when they desperately need a victory is a significant test. But if we can come away with three points, it will confirm what I’m starting to believe about this team: that they have the mental toughness to launch a sustained assault on the Premier League title.

Their ability is not in question. Toure, Fabregas and Van Persie form a spine to rival any in the division. Our passing game is second to none, and we’re starting to add a killer instinct to a side that has previously lacked obvious match-winners. The most notable example of that is Cesc, who is adding goals to a game that already possessed pretty much everything else.

The manner in which we start the game today will be crucial. It’s certain that Spurs will come at us early on. We have avoid any International hangover and get straight back into the swing of things - if we keep the ball well enough, their frantic start will prove to be their undoing as they tire of chasing us.

Looking at the team we’re likely to field, I suspect Tottenham will target the potential weak links of an out-of-position Gilberto Silva and a hurriedly-promoted Manuel Almunia. However much we might despise them, Keane and Berbatov are two of the most accomplished strikers around, and Gilberto and Almunia will need to be at their best if we’re to hold firm at the back.

With Sagna and Clichy at full-back, Aaron Lennon playing wide doesn’t worry me. I’d be far more concerned if Jol seeks to take advantage of Gilberto’s absence from midfield by dropping Lennon into the hole behind two strikers. This is where his tricky feet could cause most damage, and Mathieu Flamini will have to be alert to the any danger posed.

The rest of our midfield (Hleb, Rosicky, and Fabregas) just have to do what they do best: pass and move. As I said before, keeping the ball is the key to victory today,

Upfront, Robin van Persie and Emmanuel Adebayor have more than enough ability to cause Spurs plenty of problems. Adebayor in particular seems to have a real relish for scoring against Spurs, with three last season alone. Furthermore, an in-form Eduardo gives us a genuine option from the bench.

Spurs have spent a lot of money this Summer (making these claims by Martin jol all the more laughable), and will be no pushover. After their terrible start to the season, they deperately need a morale-boosting victory against their biggest rivals. But if this Arsenal team perform to their potential, Spurs won’t have an answer. And if we take three points, then tomorrow you’ll hear me discussing this side as contenders in the title race.

Yesterday afternoon I managed to secure a ticket for the game. I’m ridiculously excited.

Come on Arsenal.

Duda urges Seville to showdown Arsenal.

Sevilla midfielder Duda has urged teammates to forget about next week's Champions League clash with Arsenal and focus on their match tomorrow against Recreativo Huelva.

"Everyone must focus on the game on Sunday first," he told Marca. "What is most important is to stay as high as possible in the league table. After the game we can start to think about the Champions League.

"Recre will try to make things very difficult for us, but we have out strengths and if we play like can then we should win.

"Every game from now on is vital because we have a game in hand already in the league and we cannot let the teams above us move away."

The king is dead but Arsenal lives on!!!

When Arsene Wenger sensationally sold Thierry Henry to Barcelona for £16.5million this summer, more than a few eye brows were raised as to the logic and wisdom behind selling the clubs best player and record top scorer.

Gunners’ fans waited with baited breath over who the manger might buy to replace their hero. The press speculated, linking the club with many of the world top strikers including; David Trezeguet, Carlos Tevez, Miroslav Klose and many more.

Instead of buying an established house hold name, as the tabloid press had speculated. Arsene Wenger signed the unknown Brazilian born, Croatian striker, Eduardo Da Silva in a £10 million transfer from Dinamo Zagreb. Suddenly expectation around the club dropped and Arsenals title chances were in a flash written off of by the critics.

How could they win the title after losing arguably the best player in the league? How could this young and inexperienced team cope with the rigorous premiership when all the clubs around them have spent millions adding to their squads?

Despite all the doom and gloom surrounding the club Arsene Wenger stayed positive, almost bullish when asked about his side’s title chances. He asked Arsenal fans to be patient and to have in faith in the team, because he believed they had the quality within the side without having to spend millions on big name players.

Instead he demanded his young side all take on more responsibility to fill the void that their skippers’ departure had left. He convinced them that they had the quality to mount a serious title charge and encouraged them to prove all their doubters wrong.

This is a plan that is now seemingly bearing fruit with Arsenals hugely impressive unbeaten start to the season.

The player who seems to have flourished most with his new found responsibility is Cesc Fabregas. The 20 year old Spanish midfielder has now become the focal point in the team. He is the gunners’ maestro, conducting the Arsenal side like they are his orchestra. He has added scoring to his repertoire already equalling last season’s tally with 4 goals in six games.

Even the misfiring misfits, Tomas Rosiky and Alexander Hleb, have started to score. Between them they only managed five Premiership goals in the whole last season. So far Hleb has grabbed a brace of goals and is finally producing an end product to his skilful play. Whilst Rosicky has two goals as well, and is now looking a real replacement for Robert Pires.

Robin Van Persie in a way has benefited in the loss of his captain and strike partner most. He’s now Wengers star striker and is now the player expected to produce a piece of magic or be the likely source of a goal. After an impressive preseason, which included a wonder goal against Inter Milan, Van the Man has started the season with a bang scoring two goals and putting in some highly impressive displays.

Arsenals great start to the season shouldn’t be attributed to any individual player on the whole it has been a great team effort. The likes of Clichy, Toure, new boy Bacary Sagna, Gilberto Silva and Adebayor have all put in consistently good performances.

But the main plaudits should go to Wenger, whilst other mangers went out and spent millions; he didn’t panic but instead stayed true to his beliefs and his players. Now as Arsenal sit second in the Premiership, their highest league position for three years, they are looking every bit the title contenders that Wenger had promised.

Lehmans ponders injury

Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann is expected to seek a move away in January after manager Arsene Wenger could not guarantee his No1 status yesterday.The Times says Lehmann sounded out several clubs about a return to Germany towards the end of August without finding any takers, but is likely to go looking for another club again in January if his situation does not improve.

Wenger is ruthless when he considers a player to be past his best, as he showed with the departures of Patrick Vieira and Thierry Henry. "Almunia will start tomorrow in goal," Wenger said. "Lehmann has an elbow injury, he had to pull out of Germany's second game and he still has bone bruising from that game against Blackburn.

"At the moment I don't know if I'd pick him if he was fit. I didn't really wonder 'do I do that?' I knew yesterday he couldn't play so for me it's continuity at the moment."

Derby dilema for Wenger

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger insists he is unconcerned by a potential defensive injury crisis ahead of Saturday's north London derby with Tottenham.

The Gunners head into the White Hart Lane clash without a host of key players, leaving Wenger contemplating naming a makeshift back four in front of his back-up goalkeeper.

Veteran number one Jens Lehmann was ruled out earlier in the week with an elbow problem, while William Gallas (groin), Emmanuel Eboue (ankle) and Philippe Senderos (suspended) will play no part at the weekend.

However, full-back Bacary Sagna has been given the all-clear to return after missing the last two games.

"Bacary Sagna is available again," Wenger told the club's official website.

"He still has some pain but he should be OK if needed.

"However, we won't have William Gallas available because it is too early for him. He could not play for France and will not be available for us.

"Of course, Philippe Senderos suspended for one game. Emmanuel Eboue is still out too. He has not recovered from his ankle injury."

Speaking about his central defensive options, Wenger added: "Gilberto is available I hope because he has played in that position recently.

"Then we will see. After that I have Alex Song who has played in this position and Justin Hoyte too."