ARSENAL boss Arsene Wenger insists his side can still challenge for the Barclays Premier League title despite the loss of Cesc Fabregas for up to four months.
Fabregas suffered a partial rupture to his medial knee ligament and Wenger feels his skipper may only be back for the final month of the campaign.
But Wenger said: "I believe we are able to do it (without him).
"We have to find a way and we want to find a way to compensate for the fact that he is not on the pitch to give everyone a bit more.
"I'm sure we can deal with it. When he comes back he can help us get over the line in the final months."
Wenger is yet to decide who will take the captain's armband, with goalkeeper Manuel Almunia having taken over when William Gallas was stripped of the captaincy and Fabregas was serving a suspension.
The Gunners boss could also look for reinforcements when the January transfer window opens.
"It is more likely but we also have internal solutions and we are not desperate," Wenger said.
Wenger, meanwhile, has launched a scathing attack on Graham Poll and has described the former Premier League referee as an embarrassment following comments made this week.
Speaking on Setanta Sports' Football Matters, Poll backed up Howard Webb's decision to send off Emmanuel Adebayor against Liverpool - but it was his analysis of John Terry's red card at Everton that angered Wenger.
Poll, a former FIFA referee who retired in 2007, suggested that referees could be influenced by the furore that comes with sending off the England captain.
"For me it was embarrassing when you listen to that," Wenger said. "They ask whether it was a sending off or not. He says you have to consider that you are sending off the captain of the national team.
"What has that got to do with the rulebook? The rulebook doesn't look at passports. When you listen to that it is embarrassing for the referees.
"Is it a sending off or not? Are you from England or not from England? Are you 17 or 30? It has nothing to do with that.
"It is a big concern when you here the national number one referee talk like that."
Wenger admits his faith in referees has been tested by Poll's comments.
"I do not think (they are taking reputations into account) but when I hear statements like that, it makes you change your mind," he added.
But Wenger said: "I believe we are able to do it (without him).
"We have to find a way and we want to find a way to compensate for the fact that he is not on the pitch to give everyone a bit more.
"I'm sure we can deal with it. When he comes back he can help us get over the line in the final months."
Wenger is yet to decide who will take the captain's armband, with goalkeeper Manuel Almunia having taken over when William Gallas was stripped of the captaincy and Fabregas was serving a suspension.
The Gunners boss could also look for reinforcements when the January transfer window opens.
"It is more likely but we also have internal solutions and we are not desperate," Wenger said.
Wenger, meanwhile, has launched a scathing attack on Graham Poll and has described the former Premier League referee as an embarrassment following comments made this week.
Speaking on Setanta Sports' Football Matters, Poll backed up Howard Webb's decision to send off Emmanuel Adebayor against Liverpool - but it was his analysis of John Terry's red card at Everton that angered Wenger.
Poll, a former FIFA referee who retired in 2007, suggested that referees could be influenced by the furore that comes with sending off the England captain.
"For me it was embarrassing when you listen to that," Wenger said. "They ask whether it was a sending off or not. He says you have to consider that you are sending off the captain of the national team.
"What has that got to do with the rulebook? The rulebook doesn't look at passports. When you listen to that it is embarrassing for the referees.
"Is it a sending off or not? Are you from England or not from England? Are you 17 or 30? It has nothing to do with that.
"It is a big concern when you here the national number one referee talk like that."
Wenger admits his faith in referees has been tested by Poll's comments.
"I do not think (they are taking reputations into account) but when I hear statements like that, it makes you change your mind," he added.
Copyright (c) Press Association
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