Arsenal - Arsene Wenger praise for men of steel - Squad ‘have never shown any sign of weakness mentally’

Published: 17 March 2011
by STEVE BARNETT

ARSENE Wenger insists that people should give his team the credit they deserve for how they have performed.

Just a few weeks ago Arsenal were on course for a possible quadruple. Now they go into Saturday’s game at West Brom with only the Premier League title still within their grasp following defeats against Birmingham in the Carling Cup final, Barcelona in the Champions League and Manchester United in the FA Cup. 

Wenger is adamant Arsenal should still be proud of their efforts, especially as people had questioned their ability even to remain in the top four at the beginning of the season. 

“Nobody in England believed we could even fight for the top four,” he said. “The fact we are in the position we are in, I think, deserves a lot of credit. We still have  steel and mental strength. It’s been very difficult for the players, but they have never shown any sign of weakness mentally. Even on Saturday against United they put absolutely every effort in and I can only be proud of how much they did fight. I’m ready to give absolutely everything to win the title. We are used to being questioned and we have to show we are strong enough to deal with that.”

In what is already being billed as a title decider Arsenal face United again on May 1 but Wenger insists they have to make sure they’re in a position it to count. 

He said: “If that game is decisive, we will have a good chance to do it.”