Wenger: Chelsea will be a tough test

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is expecting the match at Chelsea on Saturday to be a major test.

The Gunners made a poor start to their Premier League campaign which included a humiliating 8-2 defeat to Manchester United, leaving them languishing at the bottom end of the table.

But their recent form has improved, and following an influx of new players, Arsenal have now won seven of their last eight games, putting them seventh, top of their Champions League group, and into the quarter-finals of the League Cup.

But Wenger is expecting a sterner test when his side face third place Chelsea on Saturday, insisting that this game will show just how much his side have improved since the beginning of the season.

“I believe that we have grown as a team compared with one month ago,” he told the club’s official website.

“Now we face the real tests of our quality and, of course, that is where we want to show that we have improved. That’s what is at stake at the moment.”

“A positive result would demonstrate that we are ready to compete at the top again. That is what we want to achieve of course and we will give absolutely everything to do well in this game. We will have a go.”

“Chelsea are up there, they have quality, and for me at Manchester United they showed that quality.”

“They are a bit more creative than they were before because Juan Mata has given them something a bit more in the final third.”

“They look to be in better shape than last year so it will demand a strong defensive performance on our side. We also need to attack them like we used to away from home.”

Wenger will go head-to-head with Andre Villas-Boas for the first time on Saturday, a manager who has been likened to the Frenchman for his young start and desire to achieve.

“I see comparisons a little bit, yes,” he added.

“Certainly he started young and that makes him committed and passionate.”

“There are similarities in managers’ careers because this is a job that demands massive passion. Certainly there are similarities there.”

“I don’t know him very well, although I had contact with him at the managers’ meeting in Geneva. I like him. He’s an honest, open and competent guy and I rate him.”