Arsenal

The Emirates side have not managed to pick up any silverware for five-years and Wenger is desperate for his side to end their trophy drought.

Arsenal take on Newcastle in the Carling Cup at St James’ Park tonight and Wenger has insisted the competition is an important one.

In previous seasons the Frenchman has allowed his younger players the chance to impress in the Carling Cup, but Wenger has now admitted he sees the Carling Cup as a great opportunity to end their barren run (Arsenal 3/1 to win the Carling Cup).

The Premier League and Champions League have been Arsenal’s priorities over the last few years, with both domestic cup competitions used as opportunities to hand chances to his fringe players, but Wenger admits that may not be the case this season.

“I said to the players we will go for everything we can, as simple as that,” revealed the Arsenal boss.

“And not really specifying one more than the other one that’s why I believe we are on a good run and we want to keep that going.

“It’s important to keep it moving no matter what competition it is. That’s what we want to do.”

Arsenal’s 3-0 victory over Manchester City at Eastlands on Sunday has led many pundits to suggest the north London outfit could mount a serious title challenge this season.  The Gunners have also enjoyed a fantastic start to their Champions League campaign and top the Group H table with nine points from three games, scoring 14 goals in the process.

Wenger believes this season could be a successful one for his Arsenal side and has called upon his squad to fight for every trophy they can.

He added: “We are doing well in the Champions League and we have done well so far in the Carling Cup and we are back on track in the championship so it’s just all movement.

“I believe we have a squad good enough to go forward with trophies, that’s why I think: ‘OK let’s go as far as we can’. If needed we can still always choose later but at the moment it is important for everybody to think we go for everything we can.”

Wenger is expected to name a virtually full strength starting XI when Arsenal take on Newcastle later this evening.  The north east side saw off Chelsea in the last round and boss Chris Hughton may hand his youth and fringe players the chance to shine against Arsenal after their exploits against the league leaders in their last Carling Cup fixture (Match Betting – Newcastle 3/1, draw 11/4, Arsenal 5/6).

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Roma

Roma hailed the performance of  the Roma captain who was instrumental in the Giallorossi’s crucial 2-1 victory over Genoa at the weekend.

Totti has not scored since May, a run of 10 matches spanning the close season, and some critics had even suggested he may have been unhappy with his role in the line-up.

But, following his display against Genoa, Ranieri again refuted rumours concerning the pair’s apparently deteriorating relationship.

“He always trains to the limit. He’s missing a goal… but I’m very happy with him,” said the ex-Chelsea coach.

“I read that Totti was against me. You can’t write anything more absurd.

“I have a loyal relationship with all the players, particularly with my captain, who has spent his life here and who has suffered a thousand wrongs for his team.

“As a Roman and a Romanista (Roma fan), I don’t understand it.”

Ranieri is aware of the difficulty his side may face against Basel, who stuned the Serie A side 2-0 in last season’s Europa League clash at St Jakob Park (1/6 Roma – Group E To Qualify).

“They are a side that defend well, and are good on the counter-attack – they came close to getting a result against Bayern Munich,” he said.

“We know their strong and weak points, but I’d prefer to go into those with my players, not here.”

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