Wenger says finishing third better than winning Cup for Arsenal

London, Feb.6 (ANI): Arsenal coach Arshne Wenger has claimed that finishing in third place in the Barclays Premier League this season would rank as a better achievement than winning the Carling Cup or FA Cup.

Long-suffering Arsenal fans, however, are not likely to bit. It is almost five years since their team won a trophy - the FA Cup in 2005 against Manchester United - and there are ominous signs that another campaign may drift by without any silverware.

If Arsenal lose against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge tomorrow, they will trail the Premier League leaders by nine points. Another defeat against Liverpool at home on Wednesday, coupled with a Chelsea victory away to Everton, and the gap would be 12.

"It's very important that we win something. We're here to win trophies. But it depends on what you call trophies. Is it the Champions League, the Premier League, the League Cup? If you win the League Cup, for me, you cannot say that you win trophies," The Sun quoted Wenger, as saying.

The Frenchman believes, though, that should Arsenal lose in West London tomorrow, the nine-point gap would not prove irretrievable. After all, Arsenal have already closed an 11-point deficit on Chelsea this season, when they went top of the league briefly after the 4-2 home win over Bolton Wanderers last month.

Cesc F'bregas, the Arsenal captain, disagrees. After losing tamely 3-1 against United at the Emirates Stadium last weekend, the Spaniard declared that the same result at Stamford Bridge would spell the end of Arsenal's championship chances. (ANI)