Gibbs aiming high
The City captain believes last season’s back- from- the- dead title triumph instilled in his club a collective calm and confi dence.
Even though United are in imperious form and have established a seven- point lead, he says City are also coming to the boil at the right time and will benefi t from not having the distraction of European football over the second half of the season. Kompany said: “It is a big challenge for us but that does not make it
any less interesting. We have set our standards so high and have worked hard for a long time to bring ourselves into this position. We are not going to let it slip now. When you have won the title, you aim for another one. That is not just the ambition for 2013, but for the future of the club.
“A couple of years ago, had we fallen seven points behind, we would all have said to ourselves that it would be very diffi cult. But now that we have won the title, nobody panics. Everything is still possible.
“We have proved what we can do and everybody is very calm. That’s the advantage you get when you win it once. You have that inner confi dence and, although the media and the fans can get exited, we don’t.”
City picked up nine points out of 12 from the Christmas period, one fewer than United,
GIBBS: Rallying call KIERAN GIBBS says the next three games are key to Arsenal’s season and their ambition to fi nish in the top four for a 17th straight season.
Arsenal play host to Manchester City and Liverpool either side of a trip to Chelsea and are looking to bounce back after a disappointing draw at Southampton.
Before that they face a tricky FA Cup tie at Swansea and left- back Gibbs says it will be a pivotal month for the fi fth- placed Gunners.
“We’re halfway through the season now and it’s important we stake our claim in the next three games and show where we want to be,” he said.
“Near the top of the table is where we expect to be – even more. It was disappointing to break our winning streak at Southampton. Four on the spin left us feeling good – we were so hungry to get three points. But the winning run gave us a good lift at this stage because the games come thick and fast.
“We go to Swansea and it’s one of our biggest games of the season. This is another opportunity to get a trophy and we want to go there and win. We need to make sure we are fully focused and realise we have a chance to put a trophy in the cabinet.”