Arsene Wenger believes Arsenal are now firmly back in the Premier League title race after their 2-1 victory at Liverpool.
A second-half comeback at Anfield on Sunday climaxed with Andrey Arshavin lashing in the winner off an upright winner to move the Gunners six points behind leaders Chelsea and with a game in hand.
It was just a fortnight ago that Arsenal were written off as title challengers after a 3-0 home defeat to Chelsea left Wenger’s side trailing their London rivals by 11 points.
The Frenchman feels his team are now back in the hunt for the title and expects several clubs to mount a challenge for the title this season.
“A fear of winning the big games after losing to Chelsea and United was a factor in the first half,” said Wenger.
“We brought that into the game, but once we had nothing to lose in the second half, we controlled the game.
“We were a bit lucky with our first goal, but the fear was in the Liverpool camp in the second half. It was an outstanding second goal and from then on Liverpool’s pace dropped. Afterwards we were not under any real threat.
“For us, it gets us back into it. Mathematically we’re in a good position again, especially with our game in hand.
“We knew with what happened with the results yesterday (Saturday), that we needed to win here. We did so and that’s something very positive. Now it is down to consistency.
“Whoever wins this league is going to be the one capable of being really consistent and no-one has done that yet.
“But I don’t think it is a three-horse race, because there are the likes of Villa, Tottenham and Manchester City in there too.”
Wenger offered words of consolation to vanquished opponents Liverpool, who he believes will get stronger as the season progresses.
”Liverpool are a good side and when they find their confidence they can beat anyone in the league,” he said. “They have Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard back, Alberto Aquilani will get fitter and many teams will drop points at Anfield. They played in the first half with an impressive level of performance.”
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