Arsene Wenger insists returning to winning ways at Bolton this weekend is Arsenal's top priority - and not "dreaming" of Champions League glory. The Gunners are currently in their worst run of domestic form for nine seasons, with Sunday's 2-1 defeat at Chelsea stretching a winless streak to five league matches.
Arsenal's inconsistency has seen both Manchester United and the Blues claw back what was once a five-point advantage, with the Gunners slipping down to third. United boss Sir Alex Ferguson, nevertheless, believes the title race is anything but over, with key fixtures between the top three sides still to come next month.
Arsenal may have the prospect of a Champions League quarter-final with Liverpool fast approaching, but Wenger insists the immediate focus is on picking up a much-needed victory over relegation battlers Bolton on Saturday afternoon. "We want to do well in the Premier League and not dream about the Champions League - we have to fight back," said the Gunners boss. "It is five games now since we have won and we want to come back to winning ways."
Wenger added: "We have to become more efficient defensively because if you look at the goals we have given away recently they have been inefficient." While the Arsenal manager did not single out any individual, the performances of central partners Kolo Toure and captain William Gallas have been less than solid recently.
Full-back Gael Clichy, though, feels Arsenal have what it takes to recover championship-winning form over the final run-in. "Seven games mean there is a lot to do for them and for us. We just have to play the best football we can," said Clichy. "If we win all the games anything is possible - but we have to be realistic and not drop any more points. "When you look at the table you see Man United are six points ahead, of course the gap is open a little bit now. "It will be difficult for us, but we have a great team and great quality. "We have to think positive. Maybe if we can win all those seven games then something can happen."
Clichy, 22, added: "We don't have to feel sorry for ourselves. "We have to go to Bolton on Saturday, win there and try to make something happen. "It is going to be difficult, but we have to believe in it. "Like the boss says, it is a good opportunity to show everybody the strength in the team. So let's go for it. "I am sure with a bit of luck and lot of work we can still make it happen."
Clichy picked up a slight hamstring problem in the defeat by Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, but has reported for international duty. The full-back could well play for the France 'A' team versus Mali in Paris tonight, but is hoping to instead feature against England tomorrow in what would be his first full cap.
"It would be fantastic to play against England and win my first cap," the 22-year-old told Arsenal TV Online. "If I am playing for the first team against England, then perfect, otherwise I will be playing for the second team. "In either one, hopefully it will be enough to show the French coach that I could be part of the European Championship squad. "I think I have the quality to do and am good enough to play there. "However, the most important thing is to keep playing well for Arsenal, which will then give me more chance for the national team. "If I carry on doing well, I cannot see why I should not get my first cap soon."
Another Arsenal player set for international duty this week is Gilberto. The veteran midfielder will, though, not have to travel far as Brazil take on Sweden at the Emirates Stadium. The 31-year-old has found his first-team chances limited this season as Mathieu Flamini forged a formidable partnership with Cesc Fabregas.
Gilberto did not even make the bench against Chelsea on Sunday, and indicated he may move on in the summer. "If a good opportunity comes along, I don't see any other option," he said. Wenger, meanwhile, has hinted he may be ready to move into the transfer market to bolster the Arsenal squad next season with a swoop for £12million-rated Lyon winger Hatem Ben Arfa.
The 21-year-old France international is said to be frustrated at being on the fringes of the Lyon team, and has been linked with a move to Manchester United. "If he is for sale, then we are very interested," Wenger told French TV station TF1. "He is a great player and Arsenal is a potential destination for any great player."
