Wenger ready for great Blue test

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has identified Saturday’s English Premier League clash against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge as a major test.

The Gunners made a poor start to their league campaign, with a humiliating 8-2 defeat to Manchester United in August leaving them languishing at the bottom end of the table.

But their form has improved and, following an influx of new players, Arsenal have now won seven of their last eight games.

They now lie in seventh on the Premier League table, top their Champions League group and are into the quarter-finals of the Carling Cup.

But Wenger is expecting the sternest of tests when his side face third-placed London rivals Chelsea on Saturday, insisting the match 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 said.

“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.”

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 early start to his managerial career and desire to achieve.

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

“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.”