Jump directly to the content
Arsene Wenger challenges Arsenal to recapture attacking style on show against Manchester United

Arsene Wenger challenges Arsenal to recapture attacking style on show against Manchester United

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has challenged his side to recapture the hunger which saw them blow away Manchester United when they head to Watford on Saturday.

The Gunners resume domestic action at Vicarage Road for the late televised kick-off looking to maintain momentum from their demolition of the Red Devils, who were taken apart with three goals inside the first 20 minutes.

Wenger, though, knows that stunning performance will quickly be forgotten should they fail to deliver against the Hornets.

"It can increase the belief and the hunger of the team (to win convincingly). On the other hand you have to show that you can come in to every game with that focus," said Wenger, who is hoping Alexis Sanchez returns fit from international duty with Chile having been carrying a hip problem.

"The level of champions and people who want to fight at the top is urgency - and urgency is something that keeps you alert, so we know what will be expected of us.

"We have to be conscious that it will be a different game at Watford, but the level of urgency is a big part of success and that is what we work on."

Wenger accepts such little time to regroup following the international break is not ideal, especially with the players having been on a high following the manner of their win over United.

"It was difficult, we separated on a positive vibe. After, the task is to reconnect quickly because everybody goes to their national teams and has different worries," said Wenger.

"The target now is to refocus on what we want to achieve.

"Watford are a very difficult team to play against, so we have to focus to get a positive result on Saturday."

Arsenal's win over United moved them to within two points of Manchester City.

Wenger believes this season's title race could prove to be the most open of recent years and refused to rule out champions Chelsea - already 10 points adrift - mounting a recovery.

"At the moment the top eight can mathematically compete," said Wenger.

"(Realistically), I would say five or six teams (can win the title)."

The Gunners boss added: "(Chelsea) have some ground to make up. Of course when you have many teams in front of you it is difficult to catch up, but they have the quality."

Topics