To Hull and Back

The Frenchman said the 2-1 Hull loss made him physically sick. He heavily criticised the team8217;s attitude after the defeat, saying his players lacked commitment.

Wenger, under fire by some fans for not strengthening the squad during the summer transfer window, has also acknowledged a weakness in defending corners. Arsenal has conceded three goals this year from set pieces and the club nearly let in another during the FC Porto match.

Still in the race

The Hull defeat was Arsenal8217;s second loss to weaker oppositions this season. Fulham beat the Gunners 1-0 on August 23. But Wenger doesn8217;t believe his team should be counted out of the league title chase. 8220;I don8217;t think, looking at the league table, it has too much of an impact,8221; he said of the Hull defeat. 8220;But it8217;s damaging because you do not want to lose at home against anybody.8221;

Before the loss, Arsenal topped the standings and would have remained there if the team had beaten Hull. Arsenal are now fourth with 12 points, just behind Aston Villa, who play Chelsea on Sunday.

Wenger hopes to have midfielder Tomas Rosicky back before the end of the year. The Czech Republic international, who turns 28 on Saturday, still has not fully recovered from surgery on his left knee on May 13. The injury happened in January and he has not played since.

8220;I monitor his progress very closely, but at the moment it8217;s very difficult to put a date on his comeback,8221; Wenger said. 8220;We are not pessimistic about the future of his career but we still need more patience. If he comes back before Christmas, we have done very well. I think we can achieve that.8221;

Wenger believes midfielder Abou Diaby, who is recovering from a thigh injury, will be back after the international break.

Manchester in injury

United striker Wayne Rooney has resumed light training after sustaining an ankle injury in Tuesday8217;s Champions League win at Aalborg but is unlikely to play against Blackburn on Saturday. United are without Owen Hargreaves, Michael Carrick, Gary Neville and Paul Scholes.

Former England international Paul Ince played in midfield under Ferguson before launching a managerial career which has taken him up the league ladder from Macclesfield to Blackburn via Milton Keynes Dons. 8220;I like to see that. It shows you have the confidence to go and manage anywhere and take your chance in the game,8221; said Ferguson, whose side have chalked up three wins in a row.

8220;I have been impressed with Paul. He was a player who was always determined and a stubborn lad. He was a fighter on the pitch and I think he8217;s taken those qualities into management. They are good qualities to have, that determination to do well and I8217;m not surprised he8217;s doing well.8221;