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Wenger: No worries over Bale

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger insists he has no specials plans to stymie Gareth Bale in Sunday's Sky Live derby.

Last Updated: 03/03/13 at 15:22 Post Comment    Bet with SkyBet  Premier League Top 4 Finish 12/13. Click here to bet.

Bale has hit a rich vein of form in recent weeks but Wenger insists his team must focus on their own performance rather than worry about the opposition.

"We don't plan for anybody. It is always the same - focus on our strengths and forget about your opponent," said Wenger.

"There is nobody special that you least like to face. All players have different qualities.

"What is important when you are a manager is that you are focused, that hasn't changed over the last 15 years, you always make sure your team is at its best, prepares well and focuses on playing the football that we love.

"What is important before a game like that is just to focus on our game and forget all the rest."

Should Arsenal secure victory this weekend, the gap on their rivals would be reduced to just one point.

"It is an interesting game because there is something at stake," Wenger added.

"We are confident and we are on a good run in the Premier League. If you look at our record, it is very good in recent games, so we will just focus on our strengths, that is it.

"Sunday is a very important game because it's in the final part of the season, the outcome will give a big boost to the team who wins it.

"This is a derby and [will be] a very intense game, as usual, it is always very tight, always a big fight.

"If you look at our record in the last 15 or 16 years, it is very good. Of course we want to continue to maintain that record."

Arsenal will be without Bacary Sagna (knee) on Sunday, while Abou Diaby is rated as 50/50 with a calf problem.

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