Arsenal aims to break more records

Updated: Monday October 07, 2002 11:53 a.m. ET

LONDON (AP) -- There's no stopping high-flying Arsenal.

The defending Premier League and FA Cup champion has gone 30 games without a defeat and now aims to break the 42-game unbeaten streak set by Nottingham Forest 24 years ago.

What's more, the Gunners will soon have player-of-the-year Robert Pires back.

Arsenal's 3-1 win over Everton on Sunday -- its 12th successive home league victory -- broke Manchester United's 29-game unbeaten record in the Premier League.

Arsenal's perfectionist manager, Arsene Wenger, wants more.

"This is a big record we have set and I am very proud of it," he said. "Now we will try to keep it going and do everything we want to do.

"I have said many times that we want to win every game and (Sunday) we did that by halftime. The belief and confidence is also there. We also have the maturity to realize that a game against Sunderland can be just as difficult as a game against Real Madrid."

Arsenal still has some way to break Forest's record, set between Nov. 26, 1977, and Dec. 9, 1978. Forest won 21 games and drew 21 in the first division, while Arsenal has so far won 25 matches and drawn five.

To break the overall unbeaten record, Arsenal has to remain unbeaten until after it visits Chelsea on New Year's Day. That won't be easy with games against Newcastle, Tottenham and Liverpool ahead.

But at least those games are at home -- Arsenal goes to title rival Manchester United on Dec. 7.

However, it is feasible -- last season Arsenal lost just three times, all at home, to Leeds, Charlton and Newcastle. The 3-1 loss to the Magpies on Dec. 18 was the last time the club lost in the Premier League.

Arsenal has now scored in a record 48 consecutive league games and not lost in any competition since March.

Sunderland manager Peter Reid is one of several managers who believes Arsenal is miles ahead of its opposition.

"You look at the 11 players Arsene sticks in his starting lineup and then walk past all the other guys in the corridor and say, 'I forgot they had him, him and him," Reid said.

One commentator in the Guardian newspaper wrote Monday: "It is getting to the stage where Arsenal should be forced to start with a two-goal deficit or nine men to make things more interesting."

When key players have been out with injury -- most notably Pires who sustained cruciate knee damage seven months ago and missed Arsenal's league and FA Cup win -- others have stepped up.

Nwankwo Kanu, who scored twice within nine minutes Sunday, is one, getting his chance with Dennis Bergkamp injured. Sylvain Wiltord is another who has benefited when star striker Thierry Henry is injured, while Pires' injury pushed Swedish midfielder Fredrik Ljungberg to the fore.

Of Arsenal's new signings, Brazilian Gilberto Silva has fitted in immediately, creating a strong midfield partnership with captain Patrick Vieira and scoring two goals this season -- including the fastest ever Champions League goal in the 4-0 win over PSV Eindhoven.

Ivory Coast striker Kolo Toure, 21, has also impressed with two goals so far in 11 appearances, despite only starting twice, and defender Ashley Cole and newcomer Pascal Cygan are filling the gap left by the retirement of long-time captain Tony Adams.

"The most important thing is that we have 20 quality players, it doesn't matter who comes in," Wenger said. "We showed that last season and again this year. Kanu shows that as well.

"He has always shown a great attitude and has got a lot of respect from everyone for that. It's not been easy for him as he's got a world-class player fighting for his position."

Pires, who missed France's ill-fated World Cup with his injury, was named the Football Writer's player of the year last season.

But as he begins training with a view to playing in a month's time, the 29-year-old knows it will be difficult to make the team.

"The team is playing well," Pires said. "Even when you do no play it is enjoyable. Apparently they do not need me. I will have to work very hard to get back."

Arsenal next travels to Everton on Oct. 19.

(knr)