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Arsene Wenger insists his boys have grown into men after backing Premier League leaders Arsenal to maintain their impressive title challenge into the New Year. Wenger’s team ended 2013 with 82 points – more than any of their Premier League rivals – as they returned to the top of the table thanks to a hard-fought 1-0 victory at Newcastle on Sunday.
Seven of the last nine clubs to head into the New Year at the summit have gone on to win the English title in May.
Wenger refused to let himself get carried away following a win that showed his side has the physical and mental attributes to match their undoubted technical skills.
But the Frenchman admits he was impressed by his players’ resilience as they coped admirably with the absence of Mesut Ozil, who Arsenal hope will only be out in the short-term through injury.
After Olivier Giroud’s 11th goal of the season sealed victory, Gunners manager Wenger said: “Newcastle provided us with a big physical challenge which we stood up to. “We showed another aspect of our game today – our resilience. We threw our bodies on the line. Technically we were good but we showed a strong mentality. There’s something in the team that’s special on that front. We’ve been questioned many times about that (resilience) but we showed our strength.
“There’s a great solidarity and strength in the side. Maybe in past years the young age of the players counted against us in resisting the kind of pressure we were put under here, especially in the final 15 minutes.”
Reflecting on his team’s efforts this year, Wenger added: “We finished well last season and if you look at the bigger picture in 2013 we’ve been very consistent.
“We believe in ourselves and we’re determined to give our best absolutely, and to look back on this season and think ‘we’ve given our best’. I hope it will be enough, of course, but there’s a long way to go.”
Wenger also ruled out an improved January bid for Yohan Cabaye, the Newcastle midfielder who impressed against an Arsenal side he came close to joining in the pre-season.
On France international Cabaye, subject of a failed £13 million bid in August, he added: “Even without Ozil and Aaron Ramsey today we still had plenty of cover with three good midfielders.- Supersport.
Online Reporter