Wenger's Larsson Nightmare

Henrik Larsson's cameo performance in the Champions League final last May still gave Arsene Wenger nightmares but the French manager is confident his team could overcome the league leaders on Sunday.

Arsenal are 15 points behind Manchester United as the clash between the two giants is looming. Arsene Wenger claims he still believes the Gunners can win the title - but they must stop Henrik Larsson first.

'I like first of all his intelligence and I like his team attitude. That is basically what I admire with Larsson.

'He said he was stopping, and I was not aware he was available. I thought frankly his time was over at 35. It is amazing.'

It is but it remains a question whether the Swede will play on Sunday. But we'll undoubtedly see a tense game, regardless of the starting line-up, according to the Frenchman.

There is a mixture with tension and enjoyment - people are happy to play a big game, and it also brings a part of stress.

'That is why experience is important - not to play the game before the game.

'I can understand that even if we win people still think we have no chance, but we see things differently.

'I believe that for a team which is young like my team, it is important that they get the belief that they can win the big games - game after game. They win one, they win two, they win three and suddenly that can transform a team.

'Then you say 'nobody can stop us' and they can strengthen that belief.

'They have done it already - but they can strengthen that belief by beating Manchester United.

'We want to reduce the gap on Manchester United as quickly as possible and we want to continue our run because we are in good form.

'We are involved in nearly every competition, even the championship, and you never know.'

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