Friday, April 4, 2008

There's no more second chances as Gunners skipper Gallas orders six wins from the last six

For most of this season Arsenal were playing their cards right in the Premier League but captain William Gallas admits the club have no more jokers to play in the title race.

The victory over Bolton last week gave the Gunners renewed hope after going five games without a win. Manchester United's triumph over Aston Villa later the same day, though, meant Arsenal are still six points behind with just six games to go.


He said: "What is clear is that we have to win every game — we don't have any more 'jokers' in our pack. We had a lead at the top of the League, so we were allowed maybe one joker, but we have used that now so we can't slip up again.


"We played well against Chelsea, but we were not strong enough in defence and conceded two goals. In the last three or four games the squad has not been feeling the same as it was and in those games we couldn't find the answers. We have been trying for the answers but nothing came so at Bolton it was fantastic to win again. "We wanted to get the victory to stay behind Manchester United and Chelsea. We knew it was important to win at Bolton and you could see how motivated all the players were. How important the result will be we don't know yet. We will only see at the end of the season."


Gallas has also welcomed the support of Wenger after coming under fire for his form and style of captaincy, but insists it will count for nothing if the club end the season without a trophy.


He said: "I try to do my best for the team and the club and I'm happy the manager is supporting me. I will give everything until the end because the season is not finished yet. I will be happy at the end of the season, but only if we have won something."


Meanwhile, Cesc Fabregas has vowed he won't change his style of play despite being one booking away from a two-game suspension that could damage Arsenal's hopes in the title race.


Fabregas picked up his ninth yellow card of the season at Bolton last week and will trigger a ban if he reaches double figures. The Spanish international only has to stay out of trouble in the next two League games because the 10-yellow card rule no longer applies after 13 April.


But those matches are against Liverpool and Manchester United and Fabregas says he can't let it affect him.


He said: "I know one more booking will get me a two match ban, but football is football and I can't change the way I play. Whatever has to happen will happen.


"I know I have to be more intelligent about tackles but that's it, you can't think too much about it."

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