Sore loser Wenger driven to put Arsenal back on top

Arsene Wenger, seen here in August 2007, has revealed his desire to avoid the bitter taste of defeat is driving him to restore Arsenal to the peak of English football.

Arsene Wenger has revealed his desire to avoid the bitter taste of defeat is driving him to restore Arsenal to the peak of English football.

Arsenal have gone two years without a trophy but Wenger signed a new three-year contract with the Premier League club last week because he believes his young side is close to fulfilling their potential.

The Gunners' barren spell has been especially hard for the French coach to stomach because his calm exterior hides a burning passion for success.

"Somebody said 'every victory slides over you, and every defeat stays overnight with you'," Wenger said. "You find it is easy to live with what you have won, but much more difficult to live with what you have lost and not won.

"I read somewhere that I take defeat in a difficult way, but how else can you take it?

"I am never in good health after losing a game. Your emotions are linked with your health, of course.

"You should not be in this job unless it really hurts you to lose a match. If it does not hurt you then you will not survive in this job - and the players are the same."

Tottenham manager Martin Jol, seen here 01 September 2007, has suffered a miserable campaign and Saturday's visit to White Hart Lane offers Arsenal a chance to inflict more misery on their struggling local rivals.

Arsenal's unbeaten start to the season has ensured the long-lasting ache that accompanies each defeat for Wenger has been subdued for now.

In contrast, Tottenham manager Martin Jol has suffered a miserable campaign and Saturday's visit to White Hart Lane offers Arsenal a chance to inflict more misery on their struggling local rivals.

Victory at Spurs would add further strength to Wenger's belief that Arsenal will be serious contenders for the title.

He is convinced the Premier League is so competitive that no team will run away with it, giving Arsenal the chance to make their move.

"We were not in the race for the last two years so it is already more interesting now," Wenger said.

"When teams like Aston Villa can beat Chelsea or Reading can go and draw at Man United, that shows how exciting it can be.

"It does look to me that Liverpool will be there and I think Arsenal will also be there, but Chelsea and Manchester United will come back and it will be an interesting race."