Arsene Wenger believes Arsenal’s 3-1 win over Chelsea can inspire his side to finally mount a sustained challenge for the title as they prepare to face Wigan today.
Wenger has kept faith with his young squad through several years of growing pains and the Gunners manager is confident their em-phatic demolition of the champions at the Emirates Stadium on Monday will be the result that defines their campaign.
Arsenal have gone five years without a trophy and critics often pointed to their repeated failures against Chelsea and Manchester United as proof that, for all their eye-catching football, they didn’t have the attributes needed to compete with their main rivals.
That criticism was answered in resounding fashion as goals from Alex Song, Cesc Fabregas and Theo Walcott ripped the lacklustre Blues to shreds.
It was the kind of dominant display that Arsenal desperately needed after their recent tame defeat at Old Trafford. Now they must keep the momentum going at Wigan – the kind of unglamourous venue where they have often come unstuck.
“It can be a pivotal result. Beating the big teams at home will have an impact on the league,” Wenger said.
“It was a win we wanted and needed. It has a double impact because it keeps us in touch with the leaders and it’s psychological as well because we were questioned about our ability to win big games.
“Of course we want to be consistent and we have to respond straight away at Wigan.”