Arsene Wenger believes Arsenal fans have been taking a top-four
finish for granted in recent years and feels their struggles this season
are proof that qualifying for the Champions League is by no means an
easy feat.
The Gunners last finished outside the top four in 1995-96, when they
had to settle for fifth place the season before Wenger's arrival.
However, Arsenal now sit sixth in the table with 10 games left and
are in real danger of missing out on Champions League football for the
first time under Wenger.
The Frenchman refuses to throw in the towel just yet, though, and
hopes a strong run in April can see them bridge the seven-point gap to
fourth.
"Top four is still perfectly possible. It is a challenge. We have
done it for 20 years and it always seemed easy.
It is good people now
realise it is not as easy as it always looked," said Wenger.
"I tell myself to finish as high as possible. We are fighting to have
a positive end of season. That is why you want the fans to stand behind
the team. Let’s finish as strong as we can. Let’s show our mental
resilience.
"I give my best in every game. We need a strong run, there are a lot
of games in April. We still have everything left to play for."
Arsenal will be hoping to add three points to their tally when they
take on West Ham on Wednesday, but they will have to make do without the
services of Laurent Koscielny, who suffered an Achilles problem in the
2-2 draw with Manchester City and is set to undergo a scan.
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