Arsenal Special

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger will not let the club's 125th anniversary overshadow his goal of victory over Everton on Saturday. The Gunners lost 3-1 in the Champions League to Olympiakos on Tuesday, but the side fielded was significantly weaker than the one likely to be deployed for the hosting of the Merseyside club at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday in the English Premier League. And while Wenger is only too happy to acknowledge the club's rich history, he does not want to allow it to get in the way of a win over David Moyes' men. "History is one thing, performance on the day is another, and that is what is important for us at the moment," said the Frenchman, whose side is fifth on the league table. "We are in a position where we just want to collect points because the pace dictated by the teams in front of us is tremendous." "To keep in touch with them it is important we win our games." Wenger has successfully orchestrated a complete turnaround of the Gunners' form, after their season looked destined for disappointment. A humiliating 8-2 loss to Manchester United in August was the low point for the north London club, but - thanks in no small part to in-form striker and captain Robin van Persie - they are currently on a fine run heading towards Christmas. "We know we fight for our lives in the Premier League," Wenger said. "We have come back to a decent position and want to climb high up." "Our job is to focus to reach our targets, to make history but to leave it to other responsible people at the club to honour those who have already made history." "We are there to perform, and that is what we want to do tomorrow." Wenger revealed full-back Andre Santos will be out for longer than originally thought, with the Gunners making contingency plans in his absence. "We have lost Santos for a while because the ankle injury is more severe than expected," Wenger said. "How long he will be out we do not know, but it will be more than three weeks so he is definitely out for the Christmas period, that is for sure." "With (Kieran ) Gibbs not being available yet, we have a problem on both flanks with two right full-backs and two left full-backs out." Thomas Vermaelen is likely to step in at left- back for the meantime, with Wenger aware that playing the Belgian out of position is 'not ideal'. "Let' s hope we get away with it," he said. "It's not ideal at the moment, but that's part of the team as well, to adapt to problems and get over them." "We are where we want to be " we are a team who has improved the levels of performances and the level of confidence, but there is still room for improvement."