Bookies taking big gamble with Chelsea - Wenger

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes that bookmakers who have already paid out on bets that Chelsea will win the league have taken a major gamble.

Irish bookmaker Paddy Power and Manchester-based Fred Done opted on Thursday to pay out on single bets for champions and runaway Premier League leaders Chelsea to retain their trophy.

"If you look at the table they have a big advantage, but I'm not one of those who thinks the championship is over," Wenger said.

Recalling how Fred Done paid out twice in 1998, after stumping up early for bets that Manchester United would win the title in what became Arsenal's Double season, Wenger said: "They are taking a big risk. Last time they paid out (against us) we won it, so that's a good sign."

Dismissing the popular view that Chelsea have a second Premier League title in the bag, he said: "There's only one way of thinking in the English press at the moment - and everybody goes down that route.

"Football is more surprising than that. What looks obvious on September 29th can be completely different in November. We've seen it before.

Pessimistic media

"If it happens 10 or 20 years on the trot you might be concerned. But at the moment, they've won it once and the second time is not over, far from it. I'm not as pessimistic as the media."

Wenger also disagreed with reported comments from Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho last week that the world, apart mainly from the club's own fans, was against his team.

"I feel it's not true," Wenger said. "The whole world wants an interesting championship, that's completely different. The world wants the leaders to be beaten to keep it interesting, it was that way with Manchester United and with us. It's normal."

Arsenal, who are 11 points behind Chelsea but have a game in hand, continue their league campaign today at home to Birmingham City.

Pleased with his side's 2-1 win at Ajax in midweek despite several absentees, Wenger said: "I was very happy with the teamwork, the spirit in the squad and the belief we showed.

"We scored two goals away from home in the Champions League and we didn't always do that with everybody here.

"The fact that we can win without Thierry Henry will make us stronger when he comes back."