Bookmakers rate Manchester United as the favourites and that startling fact could act as a damning indictment of Arsenal’s season. Yet Wenger yesterday claimed his team had become victims of their own success, despite a lack of silverware in the previous three seasons.
Arsenal are fourth in the Premier League, six points off the lead, and remain in a commanding position in the Champions League. However, a team rated as one of the favourites to wrest the title off United at the start of the campaign have already lost three League games and a fourth defeat could see the gap between Arsenal and the top extended to nine points.
At this stage last season, Arsenal were level on points at the top, with a game in hand, and they led the table for most of the campaign.
After training, Wenger was without five players through injury, another suspended, and with doubts hanging over a further four. William Gallas and Theo Walcott are set to return to give Arsenal a boost, as should Bacary Sagna and Manuel Almunia, but Mikael Silvestre, who broke his nose against Fenerbahce on Wednesday, will feature only in an emergency.
“The level of expectation is so high,” claimed Wenger. “We are top of our group in the Champions League – which is a disaster when you read the press in the morning. I find because of that level of expectation the pressure is very high.
“We have to rise above that and be guided more by what we want to achieve and how we want to play football rather than by people wanting immediate perfection.”
Wenger insisted he listened to criticism that Arsenal were suffering from their policy of encouraging youth ahead of experience.
“I listen to things,” he said. “I do not want to be the one who knows absolutely everything and nobody else knows. But I also have some principles I know are right because they work.”
Wenger added: “We have the talent because the players care, they are passionate about what they do and about improving.”
For possibly the first time in his 12-year reign, there is a small section questioning Wenger, but has he earned the right to leave on his own terms?
“I have earned no right, I have earned the right to give my maximum every day,” he added. “I have shown my commitment to the club since I have been here and kept my faith. I always have one interest and that is what is best for the club.”
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