Thursday, 3 January 2013

Arsenal are ready to challenge for the title, says Vito Mannone - The Guardian

The goalkeeper Vito Mannone has said Arsenal are ready to "kick on" this season and win the Premier League title.

The Gunners will return from the international break with a trip to Norwich City on Saturday evening, but are expected to be without the injured England forward Theo Walcott.

Arsenal recovered from the disappointment of a home defeat by Premier League leaders Chelsea to battle to victory at West Ham United and also close in on qualification for the knockout stages of the Champions League.

Mannone, who looks set to again deputise for injured No1 Wojciech Szczesny at Carrow Road, feels there is plenty more to come from Arsène Wenger's squad. "The team is doing great, we have had [many of] the big games already," he told Arsenal Player.

"We had a few good wins and a few draws away, and not many other teams will get draws at Man City or a win at West Ham. It is not easy to win at Liverpool, as well. We have started the Champions League well too, the team has got a good base to kick on from. I am looking forward to some big achievements.

"We have a good solid squad and I think we can go for it. I have no doubt that if we keep our focus and we keep our mentality, it's not a doubt that we are going to challenge for the title."

Wenger will be hoping no more of his squad return with injury after Walcott was pole-axed by the San Marino goalkeeper Aldo Simoncini at Wembley, and is back with the Gunners receiving treatment for what is understood to be a badly bruised chest.

Walcott, who is yet to agree a new contract extension, is not anticipated to be involved for the trip to Norfolk, while the full-back Bacary Sagna and the midfielder Emmanuel Frimpong have both recently stepped up their rehabilitation, but this weekend could come too soon.

The England midfielder Jack Wilshere, meanwhile, is set to play in a specially arranged friendly with a Chelsea XI at Arsenal's training ground on Wednesday afternoon as he looks to sharpen his match fitness after more than a year on the sidelines – perhaps even with one eye on making the squad for the Capital One Cup tie at Reading on 30 October.

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