Planet Sport

Gael Clichy believes "focus" will prove key to Arsenal's hopes of forcing themselves back into the title race.

The Gunners head into 2009 10 points off the pace - and without the likes of captain Cesc Fabregas, England winger Theo Walcott and Tomas Rosicky due to injury.

Nevertheless, manager Arsene Wenger remains convinced his squad have the talent to claw back the deficit over the remaining 18 games and are only "one or two per cent" away from once again dominating the top flight.

The 1-0 home win over Portsmouth on Sunday broke a run of three successive draws, the last of which came at top-four rivals Aston Villa - where the Gunners had led until stoppage time.

It was not the first time Arsenal were hit late on, having thrown away a two-goal advantage in the north London derby against Tottenham.

Clichy, though, believes with improved communication between the defence, such flaws can be removed from their game.

"When we conceded late goals, it was not so much that the other teams were better than us, more of a lack of focus and communication," the full-back told Arsenal TV Online.

"The boss has asked us to talk and communicate more on the pitch, which is what we did against Portsmouth and we got the clean sheet.

"We all played as a unit against Portsmouth, and we have to use this game as an example for the team and if we play like this, with the players we have, we can still do things."

Clichy added: "Everyone is looking forward to a little break now, because we need it at this time of year. We have a lot of games coming up and need some fresh players."

The Gunners have a break from league action now until the visit of Bolton on January 10, as they face Coca-Cola Championship side Plymouth at the Emirates Stadium this weekend in the FA Cup - the last trophy the club won in 2005.

Whether or not any fresh faces will arrive at London Colney before then remains to be seen.

With Fabregas sidelined until April at the earliest, it seems most likely Wenger - who has a healthy transfer kitty at his disposal, should he wish to spend it on the right man - will look to strength his midfield options.

Arsenal have been linked with moves for both Zenit St Petersburg's Andrei Arshavin, Liverpool's Xabi Alonso as well as Barcelona's Yaya Toure, brother of Arsenal defender Kolo.

The return to fitness of striker Eduardo after 10 months out with a broken leg could also provide a timely boost, although the FA Cup tie will come too soon for the Croatia international.