SM
Brighton vs. Southampton: 12 hrs 58 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews

Arsene Wenger: 'Arsenal must defend better as a team'

:Headline: Arsene Wenger: 'Arsenal must defend better as a team': ID:295186: from db_amp
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger admits that a lack of balance in the team has let them down at times this season.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has admitted that the balance of his side has let them down at times this season.

The Gunners currently sit sixth in the Premier League table following a run of just one win in their last six games, raising familiar questions about whether Wenger's current crop of players have the character to compete with the best teams in the league throughout an entire campaign.

However, the Frenchman believes that it is more down to defensive frailties than character, pinpointing back-to-back defeats against Everton and Manchester City in December when his side squandered leads to lose 2-1 on both occasions as the beginning of their problems.

"It is a strange season because it just looked like it escaped from us in moments. Not for a lot. But every time, for a fraction, it went the other way. That is why it is very difficult. It started at Everton where we were 1-0 up. At City we were 1-0 up. And things went just against us and we could not respond," he told the club's official website.

"Our offensive numbers are good. Our defensive numbers are less convincing. And that is not down to the defenders only. It is down to the balance of the team between going forward and defending. But it is true that our offensive numbers are quite convincing. I am still convinced they have the right character, and it's a good moment to show it.

"As well, the self-esteem of a group is not set in stone. It's linked as well with the last results. The confidence, when linked with the last results, drops, but where the character comes in is the desire to fight against it and to fight together. And the natural tendency is to go a little bit into your shell and think a little bit more about you and not about the group."

Arsenal currently sit seven points adrift of the Champions League places, although they do have a game in hand over fourth-placed Manchester City.

amp_article__295186 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2017-04-06 06:31:30:
html db last update - 2017-04-06 06:31:30 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about Arsene Wenger

Click here for more stories about Arsenal

Share this article now:
Read more about Arsene Wenger Football
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool1210112481631
2Manchester CityMan City127232217523
3Chelsea126422314922
4Arsenal126422112922
5Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton126422116522
6Tottenham HotspurSpurs1261527131419
7Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest125431513219
8Aston Villa125431919019
9Fulham125341717018
10Newcastle UnitedNewcastle125341313018
11Brentford125252222017
12Manchester UnitedMan Utd124441313016
13Bournemouth124351617-115
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham124351519-415
15Everton122551017-711
16Leicester CityLeicester122461523-810
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves122372028-89
18Ipswich TownIpswich121651323-109
19Crystal Palace121561017-78
20Southampton121110924-154
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .