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| SPORTS | By RICHARD OSLEY |
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IN-FORM defender Ashley Cole has admitted what every Arsenal fan has been thinking – the Gunners must improve in defence if they are to retain their Premiership title. But Cole, arguably Highbury’s most consistent player so far this season, insists that winning matches is more important than shipping fewer goals. Arsenal kept up the pressure on league leaders Chelsea with an amazing 5-4 north London derby win against Spurs at White Hart Lane on Saturday. But the Gunners were widely criticised for conceding four goals to their rivals. Cole said afterwards: “We know we can battle and we will always score goals but we must now tighten up at the back. I’ve never played in a game like that – only when I was in the youth team. But we had to get the three points and that was the main thing.” Despite a sluggish start against Spurs, Cole revealed the Arsenal players had been warned that an away win was a must. “I think the boring times have gone now,” he said. “We came here knowing it would be a really tough game after the disappointing results we have had. It took time to get the passing back but it was really good that we showed passion and desire, and hopefully this can turn our season around again.” Arsenal host West Bromwich Albion at home on Saturday and the left back is keen not lose ground on title challengers Chelsea. “We want to stay on their heels,” he said. “If we can maintain the way we are playing then we can get back to the way it was and hopefully we can get back on top.” Defensive frailties are also being investigated at Spurs, who travel to Aston Villa on Monday. Centre-back Ledley King said “schoolboy errors” had seen the side concede goals. And King – one of the Tottenham scorers in the goal glut – insisted there is still a large gap between the two north London rivals. He said: “The match shows why they are the champions and we finish where we finish. “We have to concentrate for the full 90 minutes. It’s a tough league and it’s hard to dig yourselves back up. “We have got to get back to winning.” |
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