Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has said his England striker Francis Jeffers will learn from his mistake after being sent off in the Community Shield against Manchester United.

Jeffers kicked out at United's Phil Neville while the defender lay on the floor and received a straight red card.

And even though Arsenal survived the final 16 minutes a man short, they lost 4-3 on penalties following a 1-1 draw.

"Jeffers has apologised. He made a mistake because he was frustrated," said Wenger.

"He is young, he has done something wrong and he will learn from it. When he comes onto the pitch, he badly wants to show everyone what he can do."

 

Apart from the Jeffers incident, Wenger was delighted with his team's performance - particularly given that his French internationals Thierry Henry, Patrick Vieira, Sylvain Wiltord and Robert Pires have hardly done any pre-season work after playing in the Confederations Cup for France.

"We are at only 80% fitness and still we got a draw with Manchester United," he said.

"I thought we were very solid at the back, they didn't really have many chances even when we had only 10 men.

"This was the first 45 minutes Pires has had in five weeks. Patrick hadn't played a full 90 minutes for three and a half months. So we will be much sharper in two or three weeks.

"I only wish I had two weeks longer before our first league game but that comes up next weekend against Everton!"

 

Wenger doesn't see the title race following last season's pattern as a two-horse race between Sunday's combatants.

"There are five clubs who can win it. Chelsea have made a few expensive signings and I think Adrian Mutu is a good technical player, a Dennis Bergkamp type.

"Liverpool have signed Harry Kewell and Steve Finnan, Newcastle have signed Lee Bowyer so all those teams have a chance."

Wenger is pleased with the way David Seaman's replacement Jens Lehmann is coping with a new type of football.

"He has found out that free-kicks that are given to the goalkeeper all over Europe aren't always given in England. He was amazed to see the referee wave play on after one aerial challenge.

"But he is an experienced player and will learn. I am very pleased with him."

by Joe Bernstein

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