Wenger: Arsenal must learn

To deal with pressure because tension is dragging us down

Embarrassed in the Capital One Cup, 22 points adrift in the Barclays Premier League with Bayern Munich lurking in Europe and Arsene Wenger admits the tension is telling.

No trophies since 2005 is having a suffocating effect inside the Emirates as the players desperately try to deliver and the manager lurches between promises to spend big and vows of loyalty to his squad.

 

Combined with spiralling ticket prices, huge profits and an absentee owner, patience is beginning to wear thin with fans and on Wednesday they face Swansea in the FA Cup third round replay. A trip to Brighton awaits the winners.

‘I’ve said so many times that I want the fans to be rewarded,’ Wenger said. ‘We have to deal with pressure a little better and not transform that desire into tension. I felt that’s what happened against Manchester City.

‘This team wants to do so much that we start nervous. I’ve always been 100 per cent appreciative of the attitude of the players. Their qualities are absolutely outstanding.’

Despite the heartache of recent years and the cup upset at Bradford, Wenger retains unswerving faith in his squad and hinted that he may resist the temptation to gamble in the transfer market.

‘It has become more difficult for one simple reason: We have a good squad,’ said the Arsenal boss. 

‘I know people don’t believe that. We have improvements to make and we know where. In January it is difficult to find the players who are really better and can give something special to the squad. We are working very hard to find what we want.

‘First of all we want to sort out the injuries we have and we are trying very hard to close the deal with Theo Walcott. Once we have done that, we will certainly do something else.’

Also on Monday, an interview with Al Jazeera television was broadcast which was recorded three weeks ago.

New deal: Wenger is still working on signing up Theo Walcott

In it, Wenger sounded much more confident of making signings in January.

‘My plan is first to keep all the players we have and then add two new players to the squad if possible,’ he said.

‘We had restricted funds because we had to pay the stadium. Now we are in a stronger position financially again and we can spend. It is important that the club goes in the right direction.

'We have a young team with fantastic qualities. I have to get the qualities transformed into positive results.’

Jack Wilshere’s return to form and fitness after 17 months out has been one glimmer of hope for Arsenal fans and Wenger has no immediate plans to rest him in cup games.

‘Maybe not in this period,’ Wenger said. ‘I don’t think he is overloaded. He just came back and you get the feeling he gets stronger.

‘We have a good approach between what the player feels and what the medical department thinks. At the moment all these are positives so I don’t think I will rest him immediately. But it will happen.’