Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has told his team they need to focus on their strengths in order to sustain a challenge for the title.
The Gunners continue to sit at the top of the league following a rather unconvincing 0-2 win at Selhurst Park against manager less Crystal Palace in a match that saw the sending off of captain Mikel Arteta for what was perceived to be a professional foul on former Arsenal striker Marouane Chamakh.
A win is a win however, and was a good response after losing to Dortmund at home midweek in the Champions League.
“It is people who do not believe that we have a chance, but the only thing we can do is win our games,” Wenger said.
“The only thing which is important is every win makes you a bit stronger and strengthens the belief.
“We have difficult games coming up, and that will be a good test, but I am confident.”
Arsenal did not however look like a team destined to win the Premiership and in fact were at times struggling against a Palace side that have been singled out for relegation by most of the football pundits.
Following the match Wenger said: “Crystal Palace put a shift in, they were determined to fight very hard, we needed to be patient and we were.
“Many times now this season away from home we have won the game in the second half because we are mature, do not make a mistake and we do not rush our game.”
It remains to be seen how Wenger values the Capital One Cup clash with Chelsea on Tuesday a match Arteta will now miss due to his sending off, even though he would most likely have been rested for the match against Liverpool on Saturday.
