Clichy Admits Arsenal Are Tired

Arsenal will assess a foot injury sustained by their influential captain William Gallas today while the suggestion that the London side have appeared leggy in a cluttered mid-season was given credence last night by their full-back Gaël Clichy.

The French left-back admitted that the Gunners had lacked their customary focus from the outset at Portsmouth on Boxing Day and that their vim and vigor has been sapped by an onerous schedule which saw them frustrated at Fratton Park and allowed Manchester United to take their place at the top of the Premier League. Gallas was injured towards the end of the goalless stalemate after being clattered by Sol Campbell and will undergo further fitness tests today ahead of tomorrow's trip to Everton.

Manchester United, who play at West Ham earlier in the day, could be four points clear by the time Arséne Wenger's team kick-off on Merseyside. "We should have won on Wednesday," said Clichy. "But we didn't play in the right spirit. We missed two good opportunities early on and that showed we weren't focused enough at the start.

"This a tough period and people get tired, but we know what we have to do and if we pass the ball quickly we win. If we don't we're not the same, and we're a bit disappointed with the way we played at Portsmouth. If you don't start as you have to then the game becomes difficult.

"But we've got a lot of players back from injury and the boss has the possibility to rest and rotate players who need it. Personally, I don't want a rest. I'm fine. It's a pleasure to play. Even if we are a bit tired, Everton are tired as well."