Football - Wenger chooses balanced approach

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger feels it is "easy to defend" but his side have now found a better balance as they look to deal with whatever tactics Barclays Premier League leaders Chelsea look to deploy at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.

There has been criticism from some quarters for the pragmatic way in which Blues manager Jose Mourinho has gone about securing the results needed to close in on the championship, last weekend's 1-0 victory over third-placed Manchester United a case in point, where the visitors had some 70 per cent possession but still left Stamford Bridge empty handed.
Wenger, though, believes there can be no reproach for Chelsea on the final outcome of their ultimate target.
"Our job is to win football games and that is what they have done in recent games. Is there anything to see in that? What is important for me is to do what it takes on Sunday to win the game. It is easy to defend, if we have to defend then we will defend," he said.
Wenger added: "Recently many of Chelsea's results have been very tight, but when you get a bit closer to winning the championship you get a bit more protective."
Arsenal tackle Chelsea looking to record a ninth straight Premier League win, which would reduce the deficit at the top of the table to seven points heading into the final six matches.
Wenger believes the Gunners now have the right set-up to avoid being stung on the counter attack by Chelsea, as has so often proved costly in past encounters.

"We are a bit more efficient defensively, but not necessarily more cautious," said Wenger, whose side were beaten 2-0 at Chelsea earlier this season, caught out when pressing high up the field.

"Maybe we attack even more, there is less reluctance to go forward when we have the ball when the belief is stronger - when we go, we go.

"It is because the belief is behind them. Sometimes it is difficult to let that inhibition go when the belief is not there. When you are on a winning route, it is a bit easier."

Wenger continued: "We have to organise that the players who go forward do so with 100 per cent belief and the players who do not go, protect us from being caught on counter-attack.

"We have been good on counter-attacks, but Chelsea has been the most efficient on counter-attacks, maybe as well they play a bit more for that."

Wenger is not about to get caught up in any hype surrounding his showdown with Mourinho, whom he has not beaten in 12 previous attempts.

"Honestly, that does not worry me at all," said the Arsenal boss, who was last season labelled a "specialist in failure" by his Portuguese rival.

"My main worry is that we play our best on Sunday and that we focus completely on our performances."