Arsène Wenger maintains his Arsenal side have the quality to beat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday - even without his injured captain Cesc Fábregas and a host of first-team regulars.
Manuel Almunia, Kieran Gibbs, Thomas Vermaelen, Theo Walcott and Robin van Persie are also out but, boosted by the midweek Champions League victory over Partizan Belgrade in Serbia, the Gunners manager insists last week's shock home defeat by West Bromwich Albion is now out of their system as he prepares to inflict a second successive league defeat on Chelsea after the loss at Manchester City.
"I believe we have enough strength to win the game and that is what we want to do," Wenger said. "If we turn up with a great performance - and I am convinced we will - we will beat them. Football is down to the performance on the day."
Wenger added: "What is important is: have we the potential to beat Chelsea – I say yes. Are Chelsea a good team? I say yes, but we can beat a good team."
Almunia's continuing elbow problem means another chance for Lukasz Fabianski to stake his claim, having answered criticism with an impressive display in Belgrade, where he saved a late penalty in the 3-1 win. "He had a good game [in Belgrade] and can just add another good game to the first one. That's what I want him to do and I am convinced he can do that," Wenger said.
"Our job is about grabbing your chance when you have it. You must be ready the day you have your chance. He has the talent, he has the potential, he has the desire, a great attitude, so it's all there to have a good game."
Wenger, though, maintains nothing will be decided on Sunday. "It's not too early because it is a confrontation between two top teams and it will certainly give an indication of the strengths of the two teams, that is for sure," Wenger said. "I don't think it is a decisive game, but it is a good indicator about the strengths in the Premier League."
Source: Press Association, The Guardian on 1 Oct 10
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