Wenger concerned over Portsmouth threat

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes the Premier League will be forced to take action against Portsmouth if Avram Grant sends out under-strength teams in the troubled club’s remaining matches.

Rock bottom Pompey look certain to be relegated after being hit with a nine-point deduction on Wednesday as punishment for going into administration.

Grant responded to the penalty by hinting his club could protest the decision by fielding weakened teams in their final matches and focus instead on their up-coming FA Cup semi-final against Fulham or Tottenham.

With second placed Chelsea travelling to Fratton Park on March 24, Wenger is concerned the Premier League title race, and his own team’s challenge, could be affected by the discontent at Portsmouth.

Wenger is hopeful Grant won’t follow through on his threat but he highlighted the incident that saw Wolves fined 25,000 pounds (27,000 euros) by the Premier League earlier this season after Mick McCarthy rested key players against Manchester United to save them for a fixture against relegation rivals Burnley.

“I am not a judge in England. I am just like you – somebody who wants the competition to be fair.” Wenger said.

“There are rules in the Premier League. Wolves played a weakened team but since that they have been fined by the Premier League. So there are rules that everybody has to respect.

“In England we are quite strict with the rules so it is a good moment to show that. But the most important is that the players and the team turn up with the right spirit on the day of the game.

“Of course, Portsmouth is going through a difficult time and I cannot imagine Arvam Grant playing with disinterest. He is too proud to do that and I am convinced that he will play every game to win it.”

Wenger’s team, currently two points off top spot, host West Ham on Saturday knowing a win would lift them into pole position as leaders Manchester United and second placed Chelsea don’t play until Sunday.

The Gunners have a favourable run of fixtures over the run-in but Wenger knows any slip could completely derail their title bid.

“I agree with you there is no margain for error. We have known that for a long, long time but we are in a position where we want to win every single game,” Wenger said.

“We know we give absolutely everything and we have promised ourselves to give absolutely everything to win the next one.

“The West Ham game is the next game and in football the next game makes your life. We fight like mad for a long, long time now to be in a strong position in the championship. We are in it so lets focus on what is important to us.”

While Arsenal are still competing on two fronts for silverware, title rivals Chelsea can now concentrate on the Premier League after their midweek European exit against Inter Milan.

Wenger admits playing less matches will aid Chelsea’s challenge but he believes the Inter defeat could seriously damage their morale.

“On a fatigue factor, yes certainly physically they have an advantage,” Wenger added. “However, mentally they have a big disadvantage because it is a huge disappointment to go out, but physically it is a big advantage.”