Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has said only a vastly improved defensive effort will propel the Gunners back towards the summit of English football.

The Gunners have lost just once in the Premier League so far this season, to leaders Chelsea. However, several draws have proved costly and Wenger’s side will kick off 11 points behind London rivals Chelsea when they face Sunderland today.

They will, though, head to the north-east on the back of a win
after two goals in the final two
minutes in Belgium saw them to an unlikely 2-1 victory over
Anderlecht in the Champions League on Wednesday. That result, however, could not mask the kind of defensive problems on show in last weekend’s 2-2 draw with Hull.

Wenger stressed yesterday that the issue of Arsenal’s defending extended beyond criticism of a back four who have been hampered by injuries, with centre-half Laurent Koscielny set to be sidelined for at least a month with an Achilles problem.

“Until now we have been relatively consistent in our attitude and in our performances, but not efficient enough, neither defensively nor offensively,” said Wenger. “If you look since the start of the season we have only lost two games, to Dortmund and Chelsea, but we didn’t make enough points with our performances,” the veteran French manager added.

“It is improving by getting everybody to put a bit more effort in to the defensive work, and that starts not only at the back, but up front and in midfield by increasing the level of defensive activity through the team.

“We had to reshuffle the defence and (the players) getting used to playing together helps as well. Last year we had 17 clean sheets and at the moment we have only had one after eight (Premier League) games, so that is something which we are not on the same level defensively.

“We train very hard and the spirit is right, the attitude is here. I believe more it is linked with confidence at the moment, but I cannot fault the attitude. It (the win at Anderlecht) will help to improve confidence and I am sure that if we focus on our performance, the rest will come naturally.”

Sunderland were thrashed 8-0 by Southampton last time out and Wenger expects a backlash from the Black Cats, especially in front of their own north-east home crowd.

Wenger also revealed Theo Walcott, who has been out with a knee injury since January,  should make his comeback to the Arsenal squad next week against Burnley but is not ready for Sunderland.

The England winger has not played for Arsenal since rupturing a knee ligament in an FA Cup win over Tottenham Hotspur on Jan. 4, but made his first appearance in an Arsenal shirt in an Under-21 match against Blackburn Rovers on Monday and is expected to have another run-out for the Under-21s against Stoke City at the weekend.

“He has to get used to physical contact again. He has been out for nine months. It was a big injury,” he said.

“It takes time to settle and to get used to being kicked again. He needs a game to feel completely confident but he is not far. Fitness-wise he is there to take part in a game, but on the contact front he needs a bit more time.”

 

Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal will kick off 11 points behind London rivals Chelsea when they face Sunderland today. (AFP)

Praise flows in from all quarters for
Qatar’s young guns

 

 

T

he Qatar Football Association (QFA) vice President on Thursday congratulated Qatar’s youth team that won the AFC Under-19 Cup by beating North Korea in the final in
Myanmar. Super sub Akram Afif scored within seconds of coming on as Qatar claimed their maiden AFC U-19 Championship title after a 1-0 victory over DPR Korea in Thursday’s final at Thuwunna Youth Training Centre Stadium. Saoud al-Mohanadi said: “This is a joyous occasion. My joy knows no bounds. This is a big day for those who love sports in Qatar.”

He added: “This is a massive achievement by a committed group of young players. This is a historic win that can pave way for greater triumphs.”

Aspire Academy-trained players combined in an impressive fashion to help Qatar stay unbeaten in the tournament. Al-Mohanadi said: “Qatar came up with the idea of Aspire Academy to produce sports players in all age brackets. We put in so much of hard work over the years. This is the result of extensive research and hard work.”

 

SUCCESS A TESTAMENT TO TEAMWORK: SUPREME COMMITTEE

The Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy said the Qatari colts’ good show in Myanmar was the result of the hard work of all stakeholders.

“The Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy congratulates the boys on their historic qualification for the 2015 FIFA Under-20 World Cup in New Zealand and their impressive win in the final of the AFC U-19 Championship in Myanmar, defeating the hosts, China, Oman and North Korea along the way,” it said in a statement.

“The success is a testament to the hard work of the Qatar Football Association, ASPIRE Academy and all involved in the development of the game. These boys will no doubt form an integral part of Qatar’s ’22 FIFA World Cup squad,” the statement added.

 

JUNIOR TEAM MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION: ALI SALEM AFIFA

The Qatar junior squad has shown considerable form to fan hopes of a great future, a Qatar Football Association (QFA) official said yesterday. Qatar has won the final of the Asian Under-19 Cup final after beating DPR Korea in the final on Thursday.

QFA official Ali Salem Afifa said: “They’ve played really well. The young players have shown immense talent on the pitch. They have shown great maturity during their matches. They have passed the tests so far with flying colours.”

He added: “Although this is just the beginning of their careers but one can safely say that we have the back-up players who would make for a great squad in the future.”

Ali Salem said: “They train really well and adapt even better during matches. That’s probably the best quality in these young kids. Their will to win is exemplary. This indicates that we have a good lot of players becoming better.”

 


 

Related Story