EPL 2016/17: Arsene Wenger fires warning to his side; says title challenge can be derailed by New Year
Arsene Wenger has sounded out a warning to his Arsenal squad, saying that the games over the festive period could make or ruin their bid to win their first Premier League since 2004.
The Gunners, like every other Premier League team, play four matches between now and the 2nd of January, and the experienced French manager is well aware of the perks and perils that are associated with the fixtures coming thick and fast.
"Of course a title challenge can be made or derailed in this period,” he said. "When you look at the teams around us, you can see that the margin of difference between the teams has shrunk a lot.”
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The 67-year old added, “We have not lost for a long time and that creates strength and belief and trust in the squad.
"But it's down to the quality of the players. It's nothing to do with psychology. It's down to how well the players play on the football pitch. We have to not go too overboard on that.”
The Gunners are unbeaten in 14 games in the league, after losing 4-3 to Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium in their opening game of the season. That run has seen them go within three points of leaders Chelsea while they sit three points ahead of third-placed Liverpool.
Wenger, though, stressed the importance of not looking too far ahead. He said Arsenal will have to take it one game at a time, and look to put in the best performance they can.
The Frenchman praised the experienced hands in the squad and acknowledged the experience the younger players in the squad have got in the last few years. He said, "The strong mentality of the players is first down to the fact that we have more maturity in the squad. We have played for many years with a very young squad so, under pressure, they have been more vulnerable.“
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Arsenal face a trip to Goodison Park to play Ronald Koeman’s struggling Everton tonight and the French veteran is not looking too far ahead. “I don't know how many points will win the title. We go to Everton tomorrow. Let's focus on that and try to win the game. Win the next game in football is all you can do.”
Arsenal’s next game is a mouth-watering clash against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium, where they will look to bounce back from the 2-1 defeat at Everton, before the Gunners return to the comfort of home to face Crystal Palace and West Bromwich Albion.