Wenger on a Top Four finish and ending the season with regrets

Written by Jeffrey on April 29, 2011 – 21:00

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger confessed finishing in the “Top Four” is not as straightforward as it may seem.

Speaking to Arsenal TV Online, the Frenchman admitted that the Gunners are to “fight like mad” if they are to finish in the first four places in the English Premier League and qualify for the Champions League. And of course pre-season will be affected by their ending position in the table.

Asked about the Real Madrid – Barcelona game on Wednesday, the Arsenal boss went back to the Camp Nou game in which striker Robin van Persie was harshly sent off, explaining how that episode will go down as one of this season’s regrets.

On Thursday, Wenger said:

[Keep third place in the table?] We have to. I am convinced that is not done, even to be in the Top Four is not done, we have to absolutely fight like mad.

I feel the concern is not massive but if Tottenham [Hotspur] comes back [then] Man. City will drop because they play each other. Or Chelsea will drop, so our focus has to win the games.

The regret we have [in the Champions League] as you know, everything has gone against us this season. Because people complain against the sending off of Pepe but [Robin] van Persie did much less.

What people forget [is that] when van Persie was sent off we were qualified, it was 1-1. We, as well, have a few things that we will never forget from this season and that is as well one of them.

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on with de goonerboy says:

April 29, 2011 at 22:20

We may not even qualify for the CL if we keep drawing or losing games at will! Watch out for Spurs and Man City to probably displace us.The confidence of the team is at a low and I do not think the present incumbent has what it takes anymore to galvanise them! He has lost it in my opinion!! I unfortunately agree with Danish Gooner!!!!!

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Aussie Jack says:

April 30, 2011 at 0:18

He may sign a couple of new players in the summer but nothing to get excited about, his pride and stubborness won`t allow him to change that much. I expect much of the same next season with one exception, we won`t be in the CL. Maybe a blessing in disguise.

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PAUL says:

April 30, 2011 at 0:34

thats the goal of the club-top four or in other words champions league spot.jokres

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Jimmy Smith says:

April 30, 2011 at 0:35

Wenger says he is frusrtrated. The warning signs were there and yet no action taken.I believe he has lost the plot. His emphasis on free flowing soccer ie attacking soccer is the underlying cause.This type of soccer is great if the other team gives you time and space.Most teams know how to neutralize this by ,what he calls anti soccer,packing the midfield.Then the gunners have a problem passing the ball to feet. That is his style.
For the last seven years back to the 2004 season ,the defence was not that good. In the invincibles year Boro were three goals up.Arsenal 5 Spurs 4.It was highly entertaining provide you win.Luckily in 2004,they still had the defence left by GG. Since then ,I believe,it aint that goo.Goals of the same type have been conceded with alarming regularity.Until this is reduced or better still prevented,the gunners will flatter to deceive.
Btw against MU,I am 90% sure,the red faced will win if the gunners keep on with their free flowing soccer.It had happened before and will happen again if the gunners attack 100%.
Why not a battle of attrition and hit on the break with speed instead of the usual marathon passing,which it will inevitably break down,Because mark my words Nani will make the FM more frustrated.

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Jayanta says:

April 30, 2011 at 6:39

For few years, I am a strong critic of AW, still I don’t think the problem lies with the style of our play, it’s the execution. We need top quality striker who can be a true successor of TH, with the kind of opportunity created and wasted, it needs urgent attention. Look how RVP is scoring, we need a real partner for him. As much I hated Adebayor, he could have given us better result for last few year with his physical ability, even Ferdinand used to struggle with him.

We need immediate removal of Song, Denielson with quality DM.

Get one or two quality CB who are physicaly strong and can not be bullied.

Sort out our set piece mess.

Money is there, there is no reason why it can’t be done.

Even though I called AW as Rasputin Wenger, still I will give him one more year. We don’t have any personal enimity with AW, rather once upon a time every body admired him. We want him to bring that back. He had paid big money for TH too, so why can’t he open the purse now, there should not be any stubborn philosophy for the sake of Arsenal.

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Osaks says:

April 30, 2011 at 9:28

If you want a different pattern of play,why don’t you support another team eg Chelsea. The free flowing and beautiful football is the reason why we have supported Arsenal all these years even with Six going to Seven trophyless years!
I also think that proponents of WENGER MUST GO should be careful. Yeah we sack him along with an Exodus of players and get WHO? The new coach comes in and starts afresh and we wait maybe another 2-3 years and maybe 2 or more managerial changes to get a trophy (ask Real Maddrid with one Copa de la Rey in 3years and many coaches!)
Wenger has some problems (Stubborness included) but I feel if he is made to add some necessary players to his squad, a trophy surely will not elude us next season!

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Simmer 10 says:

April 30, 2011 at 0:49

The Emperor’s new clothes!

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SeattleGooner says:

April 30, 2011 at 0:55

Great, whenever Wenger says we are fighting for something I generally assume that means we wont accomplish it… Europa league anyone?

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SeattleGooner says:

April 30, 2011 at 1:03

And yes, If anyone has any doubt Barcelona have the backing of FIFA… 2 suspect reds to help them along…

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Jayanta says:

April 30, 2011 at 6:52

Pepe is a criminal footballer, Dany Alves is a biggest cheat. That was a delibearate foul, any outcome is acceptable from Pepe and Alves cocktail. I am rather happy that Mourinho and his stunt has collapsed, moreover he should be given a longer punishment for his sick antics and to puncture his himalayan ego.

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tommy says:

April 30, 2011 at 21:29

The CL lost all credibility as a valid competition after the Barca/Chelsea ripoff in 2009. (I hate Chelsea btw) But it has been going on since the Rijkaard era,if you look at their history in the CL since around 2004, there are dozens of games where they were given offside goals, and good goals from opponents disallowed, but most often the refs intervene (before the 70min mark where Barca get tired and are vulnerable) and hand out cards like mad in the first half (so that they can send off an opposing player early in the second half) and give them bogus penalties and refuse to give them to other teams. They know they can’t get away with this every year so it appears they have developed a pattern of helping Barca every other season, and during those years a team has no chance to beat them. Ask Arsenal, Chelsea, Benfica, Milan, and now Real.

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Steve of Chiang Mai says:

April 30, 2011 at 2:03

Thought the Gunning Hawk was a blog for Arsenal Supporters…..sorry my mistake.

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Jimmy Smith says:

April 30, 2011 at 4:07

Steve Mc Mahon sums it all up .Gunner fans will know the writer is a respected analyst.

He has summarized the faults at Arsenal. If Wenger doesn’t do anything when it’s

obvious,he will be making a fool of himself.

Personally I believe next season will be make or break for Wenger.If he carries on in the

vein and the gunners self destruct next spring, that’s it. On the other hand,there is no

guarantee the changes he makes will help the gunners to challenge for trophies.

It will be an intersting summer.

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goonergerry says:

April 30, 2011 at 6:50

The Arsenal which beat Barcelona at home can beat Manchester United at home- and any other English team. We need some massively improved performances throughout the team. We need to use their arrogance and over-confidence against them. Arshavin needs to play a larger role in this game. We know they are going to defend deep and hit us on the break- lets not be so naive this time- and defend set pieces better.Lets have a real crack at them and defend like a top side for once.

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sammymarvin says:

April 30, 2011 at 9:05

what is wrong with wenger his words are shaky, does this mean we are not going to qualify for CL. If i could talk to wenger now i will tell him beat manunited 2-0 win the reamaining matches or u will be fired. WE all talk about mentality wenger is the mentality he is the one affecting this team wenger has lost his winin mentality he is scared of teams. Y not tell your fans and players that a win against Manu and the remaining matches must be a win.

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