Arsenal kept the pressure on the two Manchester clubs at the top of the Barclays Premier League as they overwhelmed Birmingham 3-0 thanks to Robin van Persie, Samir Nasri and a Roger Johnson own goal at rainswept St Andrews.
On the criticism of his rotation policy over the festive period
In fairness, I am used to criticism! I can understand that I was critisied but I think what is important is that I am paid to make decisions. Strong decisions are better than half decisions. I took a decision and it nearly worked, we were a little bit unlucky. I could have played the same team three times and lost at Wigan and tonight. I consider that we dropped two points at Wigan but you can also say that Manchester United dropped two points at St Andrews. Over the festive period we were the team with less recovery time than any team and the team who played, along with Manchester United, twice away from home.
The psychological impact of the wins over Chelsea and Birmingham
We are in a race where every game becomes important. You cannot choose your games. We have learnt two things since the start of the season: the most consistent team will win it and you can drop points anywhere. West Brom, who are in the second half of the table, play outstanding football and that has changed in the Premier League.
Arsene Wenger has moved to reject fresh reports in Spain that an agreement has been reached to sell Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas to Barcelona. The Gunners stood firm to fend off the interest of Barcelona during the summer, with a £30million bid for their star midfielder rejected. Wenger maintains there has been no softening on that stance. 'I have a good sense of humour, but I don't understand this one,' said the Arsenal manager after his side's 1-1 FA Cup draw with Leeds at the Emirates Stadium, where Fabregas came off the bench to net a last-minute penalty. 'I cannot see how people can say things like that without us knowing it.' Wenger added: 'We have the contract of the player and we would inform you if we would sell the player. We sell nobody.'
Arsène Wenger has been named World Coach of the Decade. The Arsenal manager edged out Sir Alex Ferguson and Jose Mourinho to take the award handed out by the International Federation of Football History & Statistics. The organisation conducts an annual Coach of the Year vote. Results from the last 10 polls were aggregated to find an overall winner. Wenger ended up with 156 points, Ferguson 148 and Mourinho 135.
The Frenchman will receive a certificate and golden trophy at the World Football Gala later this year.
Rio Ferdinand said:West Ham with a bit of belief could get back in this game... bully up some people Carlton!
ARSENAL star Denilson has rocked the club by insisting Cesc Fabregas is not a good captain. Brazilian Denilson, preparing for tonight's FA Cup replay at Leeds, said: "Fabregas is the captain but he is not a leader. "It's a personality thing and a leader can be young. It's something they are born with. "We are lacking leadership and we need leadership to go forward. There isn't a leader. I don't see one player as a leader.
"At Arsenal it's more of a collective team at the moment, everyone is talking - but a leader is always important for a team." Midfielder Denilson, 22, also had strong views on Arsenal's goalkeeping situation. Wojciech Szczesny is set to start tonight in place of the injured Lukasz Fabianski, yet Denilson believes neither is the club's No 1 stopper.
He said: "The best keeper at Arsenal is Manuel Almunia." But Denilson gave his full backing to manager Arsene Wenger.
The Brazilian added: "His work is amazing and I admire all he has done giving opportunities to young players."