We’re too nice to win the title, moans Wenger
As Pardew boasts: We can beat them
ARSENE WENGER has told his Arsenal players to stop being so nice and get aggressive if they want to win the Premier League.
The Gunners went into the current campaign full of optimism after enjoying an unbeaten pre-season and defeating Chelsea to win the Community Shield.
However last weekend they suffered an opening day defeat to West Ham at the Emirates, leading to boos from supporters come the final whistle.
And after a lacklustre performance against the Hammers, the Arsenal manager has urged his side to get physical at Selhurst Park today.
‘Sometimes, we are maybe too nice,’ said Wenger. ‘If you want to say our aggression level last Sunday was not big enough, then I would agree with you.
‘It’s maybe linked with the fact we were too confident and that we thought we would win the game anyway.
‘And maybe you have to look at West Ham as well. They were advanced on the competitive level to us. They had played many games i n the Europa League and had started earlier. That might have given them a small advantage.
‘But we prepared as we always do, we were focused, but football is football. You have to accept that you can win, lose or draw in every game.
‘I know it looks silly today to say that, but it is like that. Even if you play against Division Two, you have to accept that.
‘No-one accepts it any more if it is his team, but this is the reality and that is what it is about. Accept that and after give your best to win the game.’
In contrast to Arsenal, Crystal Palace picked up a win during the opening weekend’s fixtures as they defeated Norwich 3-1 at Carrow Road.
The victory was the club’s 11th in 19 games since Alan Pardew took over eight months ago and Wenger is aware how stern a test his team face.
‘Pardew has done a good job at Palace. They will give absolutely everything against us,’ Wenger added.
‘But we always expect that from our opponents and for them to be like that. That should not be a surprise for us.’
Pardew echoed Wenger’s view, warning his opposite number that Palace no longer fear the Premier League’s heavyweight clubs.
Pardew believes it is not his side who should be worried ahead of the match but Wenger’s after Palace upgraded their pitch, training ground, medical facilities and, most importantly, squad during a busy summer in south-east London.
Yohan Cabaye, who nearly joined Arsenal in 2013, is among the new recruits breathing life into Palace.
‘There is a belief in our squad that when Arsenal come here we can beat them,’ Pardew said. ‘I think within this particular group we have a feeling that the type of players we have, we can hurt any team.
‘If you can score goals then you can win. Even if they have 65 per cent possession, you can still win the game. We’ve proven that.
‘I don’t think the top managers would disagree that the margins are coming down. With our best XI versus their XI, there’s not a lot in it. I think they understand that. Let’s be honest, on Sunday, I think we’re going to see a close encounter here.’