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發表於 2007-10-31 12:53 PM
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Arsenal, Manchester United seek to regain their focus for Premier League title f
LONDON (AP) - Arsenal and Manchester United continue their tussle at the top of the Premier League on Saturday after a two-week international break.
Arsenal hosts next-to-last Bolton in the Trotters' first game since it fired manager Sammy Lee this week, while second-place United will likely need a victory at Aston Villa to keep up the pressure on its rival.
"We always find the match after an international break is very tough," United defender Nemanja Vidic said. "It's hard to come back to the club and adapt your game. Everyone plays differently on international duty.
"When you return to United you have to find your feet again and it can take a few days to settle."
But time is something defending champion United doesn't have.
Arsenal was last champion in 2004 but is undefeated after eight games and has 22 points, two more than United, which has played one game more.
United had been struggling to recreate its free scoring form of last season with just seven goals in eight matches, but trounced Wigan 4-0 ahead of the international break.
Manager Alex Ferguson needs that form to continue but must reassemble his team with England's Wayne Rooney and Rio Ferdinand just back from a match in Russia, Scotland's Darren Fletcher from Georgia, and Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani from Kazakhstan.
Striker Carlos Tevez has been in South America representing Argentina, so Ferguson may rely on Owen Hargreaves against Villa.
The England midfielder is set to return early from tendinitis in his knee and is likely to link up with Ryan Giggs, who has been resting during the break because he retired from international soccer this year.
"Even though I've only missed a couple of internationals, I feel I've benefited already," Giggs said. "I've done really good training this week and during the last international break as well so hopefully it will prolong my career."
Villa, though, is eighth and has shown its potential this season by beating Chelsea at Villa Park last month.
Midfielder Craig Gardner has scored in his past two games, earning a 1-0 win over West Ham last time out, and is hoping to recover from a groin injury in time to face the Red Devils.
"It is no longer a shock if Villa beat a good side," Gardner said. "We beat Chelsea, we drew at Tottenham, who are a good side despite their poor start, and we beat West Ham."
Arsenal will be without striker Robin van Persie against Bolton, who has hit seven goals for the Gunners this season, after he was ruled out for four weeks because of a knee injury sustained playing for the Netherlands.
The 24-year-old Van Persie is set to miss four Premier League matches including meetings with Liverpool and Manchester United.
"It is a big blow," Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said. "Robin is a striker, a supportive striker and important on set-pieces as well."
Defender Philippe Senderos hurt his back Wednesday playing a friendly for Switzerland and is out for two weeks, but William Gallas, Jens Lehmann and Tomas Rosicky have recovered from fitness problems and could play against Bolton at Emirates Stadium.
Liverpool can force its way back into the title race after a run of one won in four league matches if it beats city rival Everton on Saturday, but it could be without star striker Fernando Torres after he hurt his thigh playing for Spain.
"It is always a risk but I will talk to the doctor and maybe it is not such a big risk here," Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez said. "Winning a game like this can change everything and we are looking forward to the derby,"
Dirk Kuyt could also miss out because of a hamstring problem as Liverpool seeks to improve upon last season's 0-0 draw at Anfield.
Also Saturday, Blackburn hosts Reading, Fulham hosts Derby, third-place Manchester hosts Birmingham, and Middlesbrough hosts out-of-form Chelsea.
West Ham hosts Sunderland in Sunday's game, while Tottenham is at Newcastle on Monday.
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