GUNNERS DROP OUT OF ELITE
PREMIER LEAGUE Euro failure for deflated Wenger
ARSENE WENGER has admitted speculation over his future damaged his side’s push for the Champions League and claimed the ‘psychological environment’ for his players became ‘horrendous’.
Arsenal failed to qualify for Europe’s elite competition for the first time in 20 years, despite beating Everton, as Liverpool overcame Middlesbrough.
During a tense post-match press conference, Wenger conceded the uncertainty has contributed to Arsenal’s fifth-place finish, with the manager still to announce whether he will remain next season. Asked whether he accepted responsibility, Wenger said: ‘Of course.
‘We played since January in a difficult environment for different reasons. That is very difficult for the players to cope with.
‘But the psychological environment for the group of players was absolutely horrendous. Certainly, my personal situation has contributed to that.’
Arsenal’s victory was played against a backdrop of hostile chants towards club majority shareholder Stan Kroenke after the American resisted a £1billion takeover bid by Russian benefactor Alisher Usmanov. Fans chanted for Kroenke to ‘get out of our club’ in the second half and after full-time.
Wenger defended Kroenke, saying: ‘I respect Stan a lot. He is not at fault if we did not reach the Champions League. It is the technical department who is responsible for that.’
The manager also has a defensive crisis ahead of next Saturday’s FA Cup final against Chelsea. Skipper Laurent Koscielny was dismissed for a reckless lunge on Enner Valencia inside 14 minutes and will be suspended, while Brazilian defender Gabriel Paulista was carried off in the second half.
Wenger clung to the security of the tunnel and watched his players trudge around the pitch to acknowledge fans who were trying to digest the ignominy of Europa League football.
Having failed for the first time since 1997 to lead them into the Champions League, the manager opted not to join his team for a farewell wave.
Wenger still splits opinion, with so many eternally grateful for his early work: the training ground, the stadium, the culture, three Premier League titles, an unbeaten season, six FA Cups with another final to come. And, his proudest achievement of all, a fantastic record of qualification for the Champions League.
This badge of consistency has been ripped away because finishing fifth has always been his definition of failure.
Wenger could have cleared all confusion about his future by declaring his intention to stay or leave. But he chose to keep it vague and uncertainty remains — even when all signals point to a new contract for the 67-year-old.
Arsenal have lost nine times in the league. The damage was done weeks ago. They accrued more points than last season when they finished second but the league is stronger this time and, ultimately, they missed out by two points — or one point and three goals.
Wenger wore a look of resignation on the bench and the chill of Thursday-night Europa League football blew into the Emirates.
Hector Bellerin opened the scoring and Alexis Sanchez made it 2-0 before halftime with his 24th goal of the Premier League season.
In between, Koscielny was sent off for a needless flying tackle. Arsenal’s Wembley plans were hit further when Paulista twisted his left knee as he lunged into a challenge on Valencia.
Everton reduced the deficit when Romelu Lukaku converted a penalty, his 25th league goal.
Aaron Ramsey completed the scoring with a beautiful third for Arsenal, curled into the top corner.
It seemed appropriate to bring to a close the worst Premier League campaign of the Wenger era with such an attractive goal — but this time no one was fooled.