Boss stays focused on performances as Gunners are made Carling favourites

Published: 2 December, 2010
by TOM FOOT 

Wenger plays down cup chance

ARSENE Wenger has warned fans not to become “obsessed” with silverware after the Gunners became the bookies’ firm favourites to win the Carling Cup and lift their first trophy in six seasons.

The cup draw last night (Wednesday) handed Arsenal a two-legged semi-final with Championship stragglers Ipswich – the first leg will be at Portman Road – leaving a potential clash with Birmingham or West Ham in the final at Wembley on February 27.

But Wenger downplayed the obvious chance to break a barren spell arguing “success” could also be judged on the quality of play and consistency in reaching the Champions League 14 years in a row.

“The supporters always want more, which is completely natural,” he said. 

“You cannot say that a first trophy is not important, but we should also not make an obsession of that.” 

“We want to focus on the quality of our performances, and the rest will be the consequences of those performances.

“The major trophies are the Champions League and the domestic championship, but if we can win this as well, we will take it.

“We want to win trophies and be at the top, but you can only do as well as you can. At the moment, we are at the end of November and are in quite a good position in all of the competitions.”

Earlier in the week, Wenger revealed he will not be buying any new players in the January transfer window. 

On Tuesday he added: “I do not know where to put the players – to buy you have to give them a chance and we have international players who do not get games.”