Wenger won't hold back Gunners' fighting spirit

Arsene Wenger has told his players to keep on fighting their way to the title.

Wenger admitted Abou Diaby and Robin van Persie had a half-time bust-up at Blackpool last Sunday as reported in Mirror Sport.

Dutch striker Van Persie squared up to Diaby and the pair had to be pulled apart after the French midfielder got needlessly booked just before half-time after kicking the ball away.

But Wenger said it ­represented the sort of fighting spirit Arsenal need for the rest of the campaign, as they prepare to tackle Liverpool tomorrow, hoping to close the gap on leaders Manchester United.

Gunners boss Wenger, who has been criticised for not having enough leaders in the dressing room, said: “They are two good friends first of all, who get on very well.

“Van Persie was concerned about Diaby getting a yellow card and what would happen if he got a second ... we all know what happened at Newcastle [when Diaby was sent off].

“Diaby accepted it and said OK. Of course, I’m pleased [about the passion]. I never was worried about the mentality of the team.

“This team is focused. Unfortunately we have been hit very hard but we have not been out of every ­competition early on having not performed.

“This team has given ­absolutely everything to perform in every competition and we are still today in the championship race. Many times our leadership has been questioned but they go away to the national team, they’re all captains.

“Rosicky, Nasri has been captain of France, Fabregas is captain here, Van Persie has been captain here, we have plenty. Vermaelen has been, Squillaci has ­leadership qualities, Lehmann in goal – you think he has no voice?”

Another potential Arsenal captain of the future, Jack Wilshere, 19, may also find himself at the centre of another tug-of-war between club and country.

Wenger has issued a veiled threat to the FA that if Wilshere plays for England in the Euro 2012 qualifier with Switzerland on June 4, then goes to the ­Under-21s tournament in Denmark, he may miss the start of the following season.

That would put Wilshere out of England’s qualifier against Bulgaria on September 2 and Wales four days later because Wenger says he would insist on his midfielder having a four-week break.

Wenger added: “I can understand the boy wants to go, but they also have to consider he will not be fit enough to play.

“England has to make a choice there. I know I will respect the holiday period for the players and that’s a ­decision the FA has to make.

“We might be without the player for the start of next season. Players need to get a good rest because in England the league is very intense.

“Take a player like Ryan Giggs. He’s playing until 37 years old but he’s never played in a major tournament and that means he has a good rest every summer.

“For players who play a major championship and then go straight back to their clubs, every game is a battle. We have to be careful how to rest the player.”