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Dublin: 9 °C Sunday 19 May, 2013

Top four spot a ‘great achievement’ says Wenger

Arsenal manager feels a Champions League spot would reflect his side’s turnaround.

After a turbulent season, the Arsenal boss would take fourth.
After a turbulent season, the Arsenal boss would take fourth.
Image: Adam Davy/EMPICS Sport

HAVING ENDURED A roller coaster season, Arsene Wenger has reiterated the importance of a top-four finish in the Premier League for Arsenal this season.

The Gunners, who at one stage looked set to miss out on European football next season, have turned their fortunes around in 2012.

Having trailed their north London rivals Tottenham for most of the season, they now sit two points clear of Spurs with a game in hand in the race for the Champions League places.

With the Gunners still to face London rivals Chelsea as well as a tricky trip to Stoke, Wenger knows his side are not guaranteed a top-four finish just yet, and he believes it is vital Arsenal keep their nerve as the season draws to a close.

He continued:

“It is very intense. The closer you get to the end and you go for something important, the more the pressure is there. So to keep your nerve is vital.”

“It (a top-four finish) is very important to us,” Wenger told the club’s official website.

“It has a big meaning for us because we want to play at the top but also because of where we came from, that would be a great achievement for us.”

Arsenal travel to Wolves this evening knowing that victory will take them five points clear of Spurs.

However, Wenger will have to make do without Laurent Koscielny, who is set to face the first of a two-game suspension for amassing 10 yellow cards, a rule which has perplexed the Arsenal manager.

“As we understand the situation, with a red card, he would have been less suspended than with one yellow after 10 bookings,” he said.

“It is not completely logical.”

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Comments (1 Comment)

  • I’m sure it may sound like he’s lowered his standards, but looking at the vast increase in transfer fees and wages at all of the surrounding clubs, standing still (or even improving a position, as seems to be the case) could be considered a significant achievement. 10 years ago, Arsenal could probably offer the 2nd best wages in England (possibly even in the top 5 in Europe). These days, they’re probably not even in the top 5 wage-payers in England.

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