Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says their form at the back needs to improve if they’re to keep pace with the top Premier League clubs.
LONDON – Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has claimed his side are within touching distance of hitting top form after what he said has been an unsatisfactory start to this season.
Arsenal have won just two of their opening eight Premier League matches and have fallen 11 points behind leaders Chelsea heading into what he describes as a must-win game at Sunderland on Saturday, but Wenger has suggested the margins between success and failure is finer than ever.
“I think 95 percent is there for us, but the water boils at 100 degrees and not at 99, so we have to add that degree,” Wenger told reporters.
“It is frustrating, but we have to play better. That is how we have to think. We dominate our games. It is just when we have a weaker moment we pay for it and that is why I think we have to produce more effort defensively as a team.
“We could be more efficient offensively and defensively, but that will come. I can understand that better because there are players who are new; also, the World Cup plays a factor and players coming back from injury.
“I think, as well, we are never in positions where we have the lead for a long time — we are always chasing [a game]. Of course that makes it more difficult offensively.
“Now we have to win at Sunderland. I cannot deny that. I believe it is linked with confidence at the moment, but I cannot fault the attitude.”
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Meanwhile, Wenger has hinted for the first time that David Ospina and third-choice goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez — who impressed on his Champions League debut against Anderlecht on Wednesday night — are edging closer to a run in the Arsenal first team, with current first-choice Wojciech Szczesny needing to maintain high standards.
“Wojciech is important, but he is in a big fight with Ospina and Martinez. I think that will keep him on his toes,” added Wenger. “At the moment I think he is doing alright, but he is in a big fight.”
He also offered words of support to his former keeper Vito Mannone, who will line up against Arsenal for the first time since his move to Sunderland last summer a week after he was in goal for the 8-0 thrashing at Southampton.
“I know what it is for a goalkeeper to concede eight goals, but it happens,” said Wenger, whose side lost 8-2 to Manchester United in 2011 with Szczesny in goal. “Mannone is quick, confident and overall he has done extremely well there. I felt for him, of course.
“It is not easy to lift the confidence but we expect a natural reaction from everybody. It is never easy because you ask questions about your quality.”