Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says it’s too early for Arsenal fans to talk about the Premier League title, adding that Rafael Benitez was treated badly at Chelsea.
Arsenal are top of the Premier League table after an impressive start to the season that has seen ‘The Gunners’ rake in 15 points from six matches. But Wenger says it is ridiculous to talk about title yet.
“We want the right balance between ambition and humility,” the boss said at his pre-match conference ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League duel with Napoli. “To speak about the title today is ridiculous.”
The Premier League table toppers hosts Benitez’s Napoli tomorrow at the Emirate Stadium. Both clubs are levelled on three points following their Matchday 1 victories about a fortnight ago.
Spaniard, Benitez, masterminded Chelsea’s Europa League triumph last season before leaving Stamford Bridge. He has since been appointed manager of Napoli.
Wenger admits the former Liverpool manager is one of the best in Europe.
“He’s a top class manager, he’s proven that. When you face one of his teams they are always difficult.
Asked if Benitez got ‘a rough ride’ at Chelsea, Wenger added: “Yes, people were tough with him but he did very well. I think in the end, in time, people will realise he has done well.”
Wenger also said there are no fresh injury worries following Saturday’s victory at Swansea and says midfielder Tomas Rosicky returns to the squad, after been sidelined by a hamstring injury.
Theo Walcott has responded well to surgery on a minor abdominal problem, but is now set for up to five weeks on the sideline.
And guess who’s at the Emirates? Robert Pires is back training with the club, but Wenger insists he will not be signing for the Gunners.
Pires, who will be 40 next month, is using the club’s London Colney complex to keep up his fitness levels, having left Aston Villa at the end of the 2010/11 season.
“He practises with the young players with the under-21 team and I feel always there is not better education than playing with players at that age with top-level players.
“We are always happy to have him in training, but jus occasionally he comes in to practise. Robert Pires will not join us, he was born in 1973, but he is still very fit,” Wenger clarified.
