Wenger backs side to respond

Tuesday, 11, Apr 2006 10:02

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has said he is looking for a response from his team after Sunday's defeat to Manchester United.

The Gunners travel to relegation-threatened Portsmouth knowing that they must win if they are to stand any real chance of claiming fourth place in the Premiership, and the final qualification place for the Champions League.

Therefore, Wenger is looking for a positive response from his players to get the club's push for fourth spot back on track.

"I feel there were a lot of positives from the game and we should react in a positive way," Wenger said.

"They showed strong belief and for the best part of the game, while they were still fresh physically, I feel we were the better side, but of course you must learn to transform our collective superiority in these kind of games into points."

Arsenal currently sit five points behind north London rivals Tottenham with tomorrow's game at Fratton Park in hand.

A win would give Arsenal a good chance of overhauling fourth-placed Tottenham and add extra emphasis to the final north London derby at Highbury on April 22nd.

However, Wenger is aware that Portsmouth won't be looking to do them any favours, especially with their current plight, and has been impressed by their current form.

"I think Harry has turned them round," Wenger added.

"At the start, it looked to me that he struggled to get it back but recently he has found a good mixture and he deserves credit because he has done what was unexpected at one stage."

Arsenal will make a couple of changes from the team that lost at Old Trafford, with Thierry Henry and Sol Campbell set to start.

However, Spanish youngster Cesc Fabregas will be rested after aggravating a foot injury picked up against Aston Villa.