Sport

Wenger dares to speak treble talk

Arsene Wenger believes the foundations are in place for Arsenal to become the best team in the world in the long term - and to…

Tue Mar 05 2002 - 00:00

Arsene Wenger believes the foundations are in place for Arsenal to become the best team in the world in the long term - and to cope without Thierry Henry in the short. His title-chasing side can go top of the Premiership tonight with victory over Derby at Highbury.

Top scorer Henry, who has already reached the 20-goal mark in the Premiership, is set to return after missing the 2-0 success at Newcastle on Saturday with a groin problem.

After that stunning win at St James' Park, Wenger said he believed his team were good enough to emulate Manchester United's 1999 achievement and claim a treble of Champions League, Premiership and FA Cup this season.

Yesterday, he added: "I just want to take the club as far as I can and like at every big club it is a construction; there is a scaffolding you build up and up and up. The club now has recognition in Europe, but we want more and there is still a lot to bring. "

READ MORE

The strength in depth in the Highbury ranks also led Wenger to claim that Arsenal can cope without Henry should they lose him when he goes before an FA disciplinary hearing tomorrow for his tirade at referee Graham Poll in the home defeat by Newcastle in December.

Alex Ferguson yesterday claimed referee Steve Dunn could cost Manchester United the title because of his performance in United's 2-2 draw against Derby at Pride Park on Sunday.

Although the United manager admitted Dunn was wrong to disallow Malcolm Christie's stoppage-time effort for Derby, he was more upset by the decisions that went against the champions.

"It could cost you the title, that," he fumed. "There was certainly an offside for their first goal, and I don't think there was any doubt about that. I thought we had a penalty claim early on and one right after half-time. The linesman on the stand side had an absolutely horrendous game."

Meanwhile, Blackburn may be struggling against relegation, but so pleased are the board with their team's performance this season - culminating in League Cup success and with it UEFA Cup qualification - that they are to offer Graeme Souness a new contract.