English Premier League, Arsenal Vs Reading preview

Arsenal will turn their focus back to the Premiership on Saturday, after having lost the League Cup final a week ago before being bounced out of the FA Cup on Wednesday.

Arsene Wenger's side will be hoping to fight back from those two defeats, to Chelsea and Blackburn respectively, and consolidate the final Champions League spot with victory over Reading at the Emirates.

Arsenal:

RETURNING: Cesc Fabregas (rested)

OUT: Emmanuel Eboue, Emmanuel Adebayor, Kolo Toure (all suspended), Vasiriki Diaby (ankle), Robin van Persie (metatarsal), Mathieu Flamini (foot), Thierry Henry (foot), Tomas Rosicky (groin), Justin Hoyte (hamstring)

DOUBTFUL: Johann Djourou (ankle), Jeremie Aliadiere (flu).

Statistics: Arsenal are still unbeaten at the Emirates after 13 games played at their new home, and have beaten Reading in all six meetings in all competitions.

MANAGER'S QUOTE: "It is just a coincidence that you have 20 men who have a brawl and only the Arsenal players were guilty. It is unbelievable but maybe they [the FA] have their own way to do justice." Arsene Wenger.

Reading:

RETURNING: Andre Bikey (suspension)

OUT: Bobby Convey (anterior cruciate ligament), Ibrahima Sonko (anterior cruciate ligament), Peter Mate (knee)

DOUBTFUL: None.

Statistics: Reading have never beaten Arsenal in league or cup games, and have not scored against the Gunners for 20 years

MANAGER'S QUOTE: "In many ways you are just in awe of teams like Arsenal when they are really flowing. You look at their ability going forward and you just think 'wow'. And I am also in awe of what they are doing with their youngsters. It is a shame they are not English youngsters but you can only but respect the way he is nurturing players there and the way any combination can gel." Steve Coppell.

Carling Cup issues, Wenger Accuses Carling Cup Linesman Of Lying

Arsene Wenger has defended Emmanuel Adebayor following his Carling Cup final red-card and has accused the linesman of lying over the incident.

Emmanuel Adebayor is to be banned for three matches but there has been some confusion over what he was sent-off for, as it originally seemed to be a mistaken identity relating to a punch from Emmanuel Eboue on Wayne Bridge.

However, Adebayor has been accused of hitting Frank Lampard. Wenger denies this to be the case, saying: "We don't agree with the statement of the linesman. I think it's a lie.

"He comes out now and says Adebayor punched Lampard. I'd like Lampard to come out and say Adebayor punched him.
"There are players that have punched that haven't been charged."

Adebayor was furious over the red-card decision and had to be persuaded to leave the field, which may yet land him in yet more trouble with the Football Association.

For Carling Cup full coverage please click here.

Wenger Hits Back, Questions Mourinho's Class!

Arsene Wenger responded to Mourinho's taunt over never having won the Champions League, by suggesting that it was consistency over 10 or 15 years as a coach, and consistent good use of resources, that mattered. Wenger also took another shot at Mourinho by suggesting that the Chelsea coach did not have the class to handle success.

With the Carling Cup final 48 hours away, the now customary mind games are in full flow as both Arsene Wenger and Jose Mourinho try to edge the psychological advantage. Mourinho had earlier suggested that Wenger was not in the same league as him, having never won the Champions League.

"Whether I am big or small is not so important, it is not my obsession," Wenger responded this afternoon. "Plenty of managers have won the Champions League who will not be considered as great managers.

"What is important is that you look at the careers of ten, 15 or 20 years."
"The importance of the manager is over a longer distance. It is the continuity in his career."

"It will not change my life if I do not win the Champions League," he continued.

The Arsenal boss then went on to have another dig, suggesting Mourinho did not have the class to handle success, by saying that he was not "jumping on tables" around when Arsenal were the undisputed class of the Premiership,

"We played a whole season unbeaten [2003-04] but you did not see me every week jumping on the tables," he said, obviously pointing towards the Chelsea coach's constant clamour for attention.
"If you would like to compare every manager, give each one the same amount of resources. After five years you can see who has done the most."