Wenger all but gives up hope of Premier League title
(Reuters)
Updated: 2005-12-31 08:52

LONDON, Dec 30 (Reuters) - Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has virtually written off their chances of winning the Premier League and is focusing on cup competitions in their final season at Highbury.

The Frenchman said on Friday that his side had only a "small chance" of winning the English championship this season. They trail champions Chelsea by 20 points.

"There is a small chance, let's be realistic, but we want to finish as well as we can, as close as we can," said Wenger at a news conference on Friday.

"I'm not interested in Liverpool or anyone else. I want us to be the top team after is it Liverpool or Chelsea, I don't mind.

"There are still exciting challenges in front of us in the Champions League, Carling (League) Cup and FA Cup. In the championship we want to show again that we can be consistent."

'BEEN TROUBLED'

Arsenal are sixth in the Premier League and need to improve on their away form in particular to qualify for next season's Champions League.

On Saturday, the Gunners travel to Aston Villa in search of their third win of the season away from home.

"I agree that it has been troubled," Wenger said, "We have never had a period where we are not consistent, we are always consistent.

"It has been Chelsea's year. We have not found stability away from home. If you look at our season at Highbury it has been quite good but away we have suffered.

"I want first to finish well at Highbury because I would like this season to be remembered at Highbury -- the last one.

"We have a lot of history behind this stadium and I would love this last season to be remembered as one of the greater ones.

"For me, at the moment, the new stadium is not a reality. My heart is completely at Highbury.

"I have put a lot of effort into trying to make this season a great season to be remembered."