{"id":406916,"date":"2011-04-29T10:01:26","date_gmt":"2011-04-29T10:01:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.ghanamma.net\/2011\/04\/29\/wenger-rues-frustrating-season\/"},"modified":"2011-04-29T10:01:26","modified_gmt":"2011-04-29T10:01:26","slug":"wenger-rues-frustrating-season","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2011\/04\/29\/wenger-rues-frustrating-season\/","title":{"rendered":"Wenger rues ‘frustrating’ season"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"Arsene<\/p>\n

Please turn on JavaScript.<\/strong> Media requires JavaScript to play.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n

Wenger ‘frustrated’ by close season<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger suggested this season has been his toughest since taking over at the club in 1996.<\/p>\n

The Gunners lost the Carling Cup final to Birmingham, were beaten in the Champions League by Barcelona and fell to Manchester United in the FA Cup.<\/p>\n

Without a trophy since 2005, Arsenal are nine points behind Premier League leaders United with four games left.<\/p>\n

“We feel more frustrated than ever because we are closer than ever to win this league,” said Frenchman Wenger.<\/p>\n

After beating Stoke 1-0<\/a> on 23 February, Arsenal were three points behind United and still in contention for all four trophies.<\/p>\n

But four days later they succumbed to Birmingham<\/a> at Wembley, a horrendous defensive mix-up gifting Obafemi Martins the late winner.<\/p>\n

And that defeat was followed by a poor run of results as the Gunners drew with Sunderland<\/a> in the league, lost to Barcelona<\/a> in Europe and were knocked out of the FA Cup<\/a> by United.<\/p>\n

Draws with West Brom<\/a> and Blackburn<\/a> further dented the title bid and while victory at Blackpool<\/a> kept their hopes alive, stalemates against Liverpool<\/a> and Tottenham<\/a> allowed Chelsea to leapfrog them into second place.<\/p>\n

Arsenal then suffered a last-minute defeat at Bolton<\/a> on Sunday to end a 16-game unbeaten run, leave them with only eight points from a possible 21 and all-but end their chances.<\/p>\n

“I feel the team gave a lot in the last two months,” stated Wenger. “Since we lost in the Carling Cup, everything has turned a little bit against us.<\/p>\n

“When we were on all fronts this team had fought very well.<\/p>\n

“I just feel that after the Carling Cup we continued to be absolutely spot on with our attitude, but we missed a little bit of that subconscious belief which makes you win.<\/p>\n

“That frustrates you because you know that it is there and you want to fight against it.”<\/p>\n

Since lifting their most recent Premier League title in 2004, Arsenal have finished second, fourth twice, third, fourth and third.<\/p>\n

In those six years the north Londoners have been 12 points, 24 points, 21 points, four points, 18 points and 11 points adrift of the champions.<\/p>\n

“If you look at all the numbers, it is the closest we have been,” Wenger commented.<\/p>\n

“Just look at the last week – we could have had nine points quite easily against Liverpool, Tottenham and Bolton, in the end we finished with two.<\/p>\n

“Of the two trophies Premier League and Champions League, the most important above all for me is the league – and this year we had the quality to win it.”<\/p>\n

Arsenal, three points behind Chelsea and five ahead of fourth-place Manchester City having played a game more, host United at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.<\/p>\n

“It is vital for us to show that we have some mental qualities and finish with a very strong fighting spirit,” Wenger added.<\/p>\n

“Manchester United are now in a very strong position, but we have to fight until the end of the last second of the championship.<\/p>\n

“The title is very unlikely for us now – let’s not hide the truth – but the pride of our group is to first of all finish in the Champions League laces.<\/p>\n

“We have to look back and we have to look in front because even if there is a minimal chance, we have to fight for it.<\/p>\n

“We promised ourselves to fight until the last second of the season, no matter what happens. That is what we want to do now – and you never know.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

See more here:
\nWenger rues ‘frustrating’ season<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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