Sun, Sep 17, 2006 page22

• Arsenal fear becoming United's latest victims

  • AFP
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  There can have been few title deciders as early as September between the two most successful clubs of the Premiership era.

  But Arsenal travel to Old Trafford today knowing that their own hopes of title glory may be over for another year if they become the latest victims of Manchester United's flawless start to the season.

  Remarkably, last season's Champions League finalists have yet to win in the league this campaign, having drawn two and lost one of their three games and while United's four straight victories mark their best start to a Premiership season, Arsenal are experiencing their worst.

  

  Arsenal's Thierry Henry celebrates his goal against Middlesbrough during their Premiership football match at the Emirates stadium in London on Sept. 9.

  PHOTO: EPA

  Injury doubts over talisman Thierry Henry, Dutch forward Robin van Persie and defender Kolo Toure ahead of the game only add to the sense that the fixture may have come too soon for the Gunners.

  Manchester United-Arsenal encounters are rarely predictable, however, and Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is convinced that his players have the ability to claim their first Old Trafford victory since May 2002.

  "We do not go there to lose, we go there to win and I am confident we have a good chance to do it. Let's focus on us and play at our best level and continue to do what we do and try to improve our defensive record. Then we have a good chance against United," Wenger said.

  "The teams that have played against us so far in the Premiership refused to play and we made it even more difficult for ourselves by going behind in every game. We need some luck, perhaps, but I feel it will come and there is so much quality in our side and I'm sure that will make the difference," he said.

  "United have a good team, they've had a good start and those are always good ingredients to have a good season. But after four games it is too early. You need eight to 10 games to see what is the real strength of the team," Wenger said.

  Recent meetings between the two sides have boiled over, with confrontations between the players on and off the pitch emphasising the animosity and competitiveness between the pair.

  But while victory would leave United thirteen points clear of Wenger's team, Old Trafford midfielder Michael Carrick does not believe that defeat will end Arsenal's title hopes.

  "It's too early in the day to be writing Arsenal off. If we win the game, we are in a strong position, but you cannot look too far ahead. Things will only be settled at the end of the season," Carrick said.

  "Arsenal had a good result in midweek at Hamburg and will be confident going into the game, but Manchester United v Arsenal is always a huge game and, after the start we have had, we want to carry it on. Winning is a good habit to have and something we want to continue against Arsenal. It's a tough game, but confidence is high and we are picking up results," he said.
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