Arsenal Outlook: Wenger's Confidence Must Filter Through His Team

By Tim Collings

Something different filled the air at Arsene Wenger's weekly news briefing ahead of Sunday's Premier League showdown with Manchester United.

Firstly, the media were asked to assemble at breakfast time instead of lunch time.

And secondly, the Arsenal manager was wearing a suit.

He looked like a suave bank manager, not a football team coach.

Was he off to a special assignment to sign a new player?

"No," he said. "It is because I have a board meeting today, so it is not for you that I am dressed like this!"

Laughter filled the air.

Pressed on the prospects of the Gunners making a late dip into the market to strengthen their squad, Wenger remained straight-faced. A hint of a smile played on his lips.

"Well, it is not impossible, but I would say it is unlikely..." he responded.

In this mood, when he is at his most amusing and enigmatic, he is as difficult to predict as his team can be when they take the field. Charming, humorous and evasive.

Manchester United should beware.

Eduardo may well be out, after straining a hamstring at Aston Villa on Wednesday, but Andrey Arshavin - almost certain to take the centre forward's job again because Nicklas Bendtner is too far away from fitness to start - is in the mood to celebrate his first anniversary as a Gunner with something special.

And Sol Campbell, fatigue permitting, is equally likely to step in to central defence if Thomas Vermaelen fails to recover from a knee injury that is far less serious than first diagnosed at Villa Park. A scan on Thursday showed no fractures and he could be fit.

"It is a relief, because he is an important player, but we have to wait and see," said Wenger. "But I am confident that Sol can handle Wayne Rooney, yes... He has the experience and he knows what to do. He will relish this kind of big game."

So, too, Wenger suggested, will the Russian magician Arshavin.

"I haven't yet picked the team," said Wenger. "But it is in my mind. Bendtner? He has only trained for 20 minutes in three months and he is not quite fit. But I have a lot of belief in Arshavin.

"He always gives something, he always has an influence - especially in the big games. He is not afraid. He always turns up with something and often when it is 0-0, not when it is 4-0. So he is an important player for us.

"I know some people say that he is sometimes a bit quiet for 20 minutes, but I think they forget how heavily and closely marked he usually is - especially if he plays in the centre.

"But if he is quiet for those 20 minutes, he still does something special for the team. When I look back at the matches on the video, often I see things and it is a pass or a run by Arshavin.

"You say 'this is a good move, a good pass' and he does a lot for the team. For me, he has been a very good player for Arsenal this last year."

Like most neutrals, Wenger said also that he is looking forward to the game, not because of its importance, but because it promises to produce a feast of high-quality football.

"Both teams always want to play. It always is," he said. "So I look forward to it of course because it is a big match and it will be a great football game."

His confidence was infectious. Hardened cynics who had seen the midweek draw at Villa as two dropped points were, like Wenger, lifted by the notion that was a point won - a hard-earned point, too. "We are the only top four team not to have lost to them," he said. "They have beaten Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool, but not us... so that is good...

"Of course, this is a vital period for us, but whatever happens in these games, these four games, I believe we will still be involved in the championship.

"The most important thing, for us, is to focus on our own performance. If we can do that and do well, we can be in a very, very good position."

And, with that, he was gone, back on the move, striding towards the next challenge.

A man marching on, searching for success and sticking to his beliefs, Wenger left one lingering impression - if his team take their lead from him, Arsenal will not lack confidence or purpose at the Emirates on Sunday.