We’ll climb the big heal
ARSENE WENGER is convinced there will be a positive reaction from his Arsenal players after their battering at White Hart Lane last week.
The margin of the loss against Tottenham was 2-0 – but it could have been so much worse. Wenger knows it – and he also claimed that the players were as hurt as the fans.
The supporters voiced their frustration at the tame surrender and the Gunners boss had a closed-door meeting with his squad last week.
He expects a response in the clash with Manchester United at the Emirates this afternoon. “The players have been very hurt by the results and the performance,” said Wenger ahead of an encounter with a potentially understrength United following Thursday’s 1-0 Europa League semi-final first-leg victory over Celta Vigo in Spain.
Wenger’s arch-enemy Jose Mourinho has already said that the e competition is now his priority because it brings Champions League football to the winners.
But Wenger is more concerned with his own men and said: “They are focused on the next game. We know we must achieve.”
Champions League qualificationn now appears a forlorn hope but Arsenal do have a place in the FA C Cup Fi Finall against Chelsea and Wenger is looking for a winning finale to the season.
“We have got a Cup Final to prepare for and must look to win our league games until the end of the season to be in with a chance to be in the top four. The players are focused,” said Wenger.
“People feel it doesn’t mean enough when you don’t win. That is not true. You are not at this level where you think it doesn’t matter to win or not. It matters for the players – and they care.”
Now Wenger wants to use the limp performance at Spurs as a stepping stone rather than a stumbling block.
“We must use the frustration and transform it into positive energy – that is what we want to see against United.” Wenger is tempted to start with Danny Welbeck against the striker’s former club today to give more movement and mobility rather than use the target man qualities of Olivier Giroud (below) who was anonymous at White Hart Lane. And there may also be a place for Theo Walcott as Wenger looks for a successful finale to what has been a disappointing season. There is a distinct possibility Wenger will revamp his central defence with Rob Hold Holding restored alongside Laurent Ko Koscielny and fit-again Shkodran M Mustafi in a back three. Gabriel and Nacho Monreal were alongside Koscielny at White Hart Lane and were in constant disarray a against Tottenham’s attacking unit. But Wenger made it clear he is not one to be over-critical of his playe players in public – a ploy often used by Mour Mourinho. “I cannot t alwaysl say to the players: ‘We are all in the same boat now and in this together to achieve something together‘ and then jump out of the boat and say: ‘It is your fault now.’ And then when it goes well take the credit. “You are in a position where you have to be part of it and fight for them when it doesn’t go well. “That is part of management. “You have to control what you say.”