Wenger eyes Arsenal four-trophy sweep

image source: AFP

The Gunners face Huddersfield in the fourth round of the FA Cup on Sunday having made it to the final of the League Cup on Wednesday by coming from behind to beat Ipswich.

They are also in contention for the Champions League, where they'll face Barcelona next month, and are in second place in the Premier League.

Ahead of the tie against Huddersfield at the Emirates Stadium, Wenger reiterated his desire to fight for all four titles and he called upon every member of his squad to show willing.

"The squad will be stretched but I have 25 players of the same quality - I have never had a squad of this equal strength in my life. I want to take advantage of it and go for every single competition," said Wenger.

"One thing with the fact we are involved in the four competitions is that we need a super-realistic approach and focus on the next game, just try to win it.

"You build the confidence in the team slowly and you lose it very quickly. One big, bad result and you are down very quickly.

"So it is important to keep our feet on the ground and to show we have learned from Leeds (who Arsenal beat in a replay in the previous round of the FA Cup) and Ipswich how difficult these games are.

"What is good is that we are involved in all competitions and we are hungry to do as well as we can. What can we do? We don't know. But we are hungry and have the desire to do as well as we can."

One man who may wonder if fighting for a place in the side is futile is goalkeeper Manuel Almunia, who is fully fit but unable to dislodge Wojciech Szczesny from the starting spot.

The Spanish player has intimated he would like to go somewhere where his opportunities are more forthcoming, but Wenger has urged Almunia to stay put and fight for his chance to play.

"At the moment Wojciech is number one. He has done nothing for me to take him out but in the cups sometimes I rotate the goalkeepers as well," said Wenger.

"Almunia has not played for a long, long time and is any player happy not to play? I don't feel any player is happy not to play. I like him as a man and as a player and I've shown that in my decisions and I'm happy that he's here.

"He is under contract and as long as he's at the club we're happy to have him."

Huddersfield manager Lee Clark admits he wants to emulate Arsenal's style of play as he attempts to steer the Terriers to promotion to the Championship.

Clark's side are third in the League One table ahead of their trip to the Emirates and have won admirers with their positive play this season.

"The style Arsenal play is what I aspire towards. My dream as a manager is to get to that level, to have a team full of young players, playing like that," said Clark.

"As a club and a manager Arsenal, like Manchester United and Sir Alex Ferguson, are a yardstick for us all.

"We understand for large periods of the game we'll be up against it but if we do the right things, defend properly, we can cause them one or two problems with the attacking players we have for sure.

"Shocks can happen; they have happened over the years. It's going to be a tough call but I'm not giving up."

Clark is without top-scorer Jordan Rhodes due to an ankle injury.

On-loan Arsenal striker Benik Afobe is not allowed to play because of the term of his youth contract despite Wenger having been happy for the England under 19 international to play at the Emirates.