Wenger - Europe is catching up with England

By Matt Fortune

Last season's domination of the Champions League by English clubs may not be repeated this time around, according to Arsène Wenger.

Last term the Premier League's 'big four' reached the Quarter-Finals of the competition for the first time with Manchester United and Chelsea going on to play for the trophy in Moscow.

The Frenchman believes that while there is the likelihood of success from England, the gap has narrowed markedly.

"[The dominance of English teams will be] less than last year because Real Madrid, Barcelona, AC Milan - not this year but in other years - and Inter will not just sit and watch the Champions League," said Wenger. "They have the resources [to compete]."

"I was at the Ajax tournament and Inter had 18 players out on the bench. They needed another bench for the players who were not involved.

"When I looked at the 10 names who were not involved, they were 10 real names, and Patrick Vieira wasn't even on it.

"So these teams have the resources to compete as well."

Arsenal have been granted a work permit for teenage Mexico striker Carlos Vela.

The 19-year-old, who has three full caps, has been on loan this season at Spanish club Osasuna, scoring three goals in 32 appearances.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, who says Vela will be involved with the first team next season, has likened the youngster to Croatia frontman Eduardo.

Vela joined Arsenal after winning the golden boot as top scorer at the 2005 Fifa Under-17 championships.

He joined from Mexican side Guadalajara in November of that year but was not eligible to play in this country.

Vela was farmed out to Celta Vigo and Salamanca in Spain before joining Osasuna for the whole of last season.

He signed a five-year deal for a fee that could rise to over £2m.

"Carlos has played the whole season at Osasuna on the left-wing and he had to work hard there," said Wenger.

"But for me it is not his position. He is a central striker, an Eduardo type. He is a great young player."

"I am not surprised we are doing well, because I had to resist when everyone was saying to me 'buy, buy, buy' - and even bye-bye!" ARSENE WENGER

Barcelona manager Frank Rijkaard believes Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas has no weaknesses in his game.

The Spaniard has netted an impressive 11 goals already this season, and is considered the heartbeat of The Gunner's side.

Fabregas began his career as a Barcelona trainee, before Arsene Wenger brought him to North London in 2003.

Barcelona have regularly been linked with a move to secure the 20-year-old's return to Spain, however Wenger has consistently dismissed any speculation.

No defects

Speaking to Sport, Rijkaard has done little to dampen rumours of an eventual approach, by drooling over Fabregas' talent.

"It's one player that stands out most in the football world because of his enormous talent. At his age what he is doing at Arsenal is something impressive," he said.

"It should be bared in mind that it has become the real leader Arsenal.

"I do not go searching for any defects in people, but the truth is you do not encounter any [in Fabregas]."

Defiant

Furthermore, Wenger has responded to reports after Fabregas flew out to Spain to watch Barcelona's midweek clash with Rangers.

The French tactician has quelled any potential rumours, insisting that the wonderkid was simply taking some time out.

"This is no story," he said. "Fabregas is under contract with us. If Barcelona want to buy any player under contract then I'll give them my phone number. But I think they have it because they just bought Thierry Henry."

When asked if he would be open to an offer, Wenger replied: "No chance."

Arsenal goalkeeper Manuel Almunia has told England manager Fabio Capello he is ready to take up British citizenship immediately in a bid to earn an international call-up.

The uncapped Spaniard, 30, has recently been the subject of growing speculation that he could come to the aid of England's ongoing goalkeeping problems.

Former first choice Paul Robinson was dropped for England's last game against Croatia and his replacement, Scott Carson, endured a torrid 90 minutes in the 3-2 defeat.

And Almunia, who has become Arsenal's No.1 this season, has revealed he is ready to answer any call from Capello.

"If Capello is interested in me for the national team I am ready to immediately take up English citizenship," he Almunia told Italian daily Gazzetta dello Sport.

Fixtures

Saturday, 16 August 2008
Barclays Premier League
Arsenal v West Brom, 12:45
Saturday, 23 August 2008
Barclays Premier League
Fulham v Arsenal, 15:00
Saturday, 30 August 2008
Barclays Premier League
Arsenal v Newcastle, 15:00
Saturday, 13 September 2008
Barclays Premier League
Blackburn v Arsenal, 15:00
Saturday, 20 September 2008
Barclays Premier League
Bolton v Arsenal, 15:00
Saturday, 27 September 2008
Barclays Premier League
Arsenal v Hull, 15:00
Saturday, 04 October 2008
Barclays Premier League
Sunderland v Arsenal, 15:00
Saturday, 18 October 2008
Barclays Premier League
Arsenal v Everton, 15:00
Saturday, 25 October 2008
Barclays Premier League
West Ham v Arsenal, 15:00
Tuesday, 28 October 2008
Barclays Premier League
Arsenal v Tottenham, 19:45
Saturday, 01 November 2008
Barclays Premier League
Stoke v Arsenal, 15:00
Saturday, 08 November 2008
Barclays Premier League
Arsenal v Man Utd, 15:00
Saturday, 15 November 2008
Barclays Premier League
Arsenal v Aston Villa, 15:00
Saturday, 22 November 2008
Barclays Premier League
Man City v Arsenal, 15:00
Saturday, 29 November 2008
Barclays Premier League
Chelsea v Arsenal, 15:00
Saturday, 06 December 2008
Barclays Premier League
Arsenal v Wigan, 15:00
Saturday, 13 December 2008
Barclays Premier League
Middlesbrough v Arsenal, 15:00
Saturday, 20 December 2008
Barclays Premier League
Arsenal v Liverpool, 15:00
Friday, 26 December 2008
Barclays Premier League
Aston Villa v Arsenal, 15:00
Sunday, 28 December 2008
Barclays Premier League
Arsenal v Portsmouth, 15:00
Saturday, 10 January 2009
Barclays Premier League
Arsenal v Bolton, 15:00
Saturday, 17 January 2009
Barclays Premier League
Hull v Arsenal, 15:00
Wednesday, 28 January 2009
Barclays Premier League
Everton v Arsenal, 19:45
Saturday, 31 January 2009
Barclays Premier League
Arsenal v West Ham, 15:00
Saturday, 07 February 2009
Barclays Premier League
Tottenham v Arsenal, 15:00
Saturday, 21 February 2009
Barclays Premier League
Arsenal v Sunderland, 15:00
Saturday, 28 February 2009
Barclays Premier League
Arsenal v Fulham, 15:00
Tuesday, 03 March 2009
Barclays Premier League
West Brom v Arsenal, 19:45
Saturday, 14 March 2009
Barclays Premier League
Arsenal v Blackburn, 15:00
Saturday, 21 March 2009
Barclays Premier League
Newcastle v Arsenal, 15:00
Saturday, 04 April 2009
Barclays Premier League
Arsenal v Man City, 15:00
Saturday, 11 April 2009
Barclays Premier League
Wigan v Arsenal, 15:00
Saturday, 18 April 2009
Barclays Premier League
Liverpool v Arsenal, 15:00
Saturday, 25 April 2009
Barclays Premier League
Arsenal v Middlesbrough, 15:00
Saturday, 02 May 2009
Barclays Premier League
Portsmouth v Arsenal, 15:00
Saturday, 09 May 2009
Barclays Premier League
Arsenal v Chelsea, 15:00
Saturday, 16 May 2009
Barclays Premier League
Man Utd v Arsenal, 15:00
Sunday, 24 May 2009
Barclays Premier League
Arsenal v Stoke, 15:00