Arsene Wenger says Arsenal can still claim Champions League spot
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Arsene Wenger has ordered Arsenal to win every game to keep their Champions’ League hopes alive.
The Gunners claimed a first league away win for three months with goals from Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil.
It put them seven points behind Man City in fourth with a game in hand.
Winger Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain last night blasted the squad suggesting they’ve not been giving 100 per cent.
He admitted: “We have not been good enough, we need to take responsibility for that and today we had to win.
“It is a massive honour to play for a team like Arsenal, you have to give 100 per cent and maybe that has been slipping recently.”
(Photo: Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
(Photo: REUTERS)
And boss Wenger conceded that Arsenal overcame “nervousness” because they were lacking in confidence ahead of the Boro game.
Asked about their Champions League top four qualification bid, Wenger said: “For us, the clarity is there, we have to win every game to have a chance of getting in the top four, starting tonight.
“The team was a bit more serene. We were a bit over cautious in situations tonight. Hopefully that will give us more confidence. Mathematically it is still possible, even if it is difficult, but we will give it a go.
“The players care. When you don’t win confidence goes quickly and comes back slowly. I felt there was nervousness there in the way we played.”
(Photo: 2017 Getty Images)
Arsenal now face Manchester City in a Wembley FA Cup semi final, followed by Leicester, Spurs and Manchester United.
Wenger says he played three centre backs “for the first time in 20 years.”
He joked: “It shows at my age you can change. Sometimes when your team lacks confidence, something new helps them believe and focus.
“The fact we conceded three at West Brom and three at Palace, I feel it was needed.
“We have a break in the Premier League and we have a good chance on Sunday. It is at Wembley and it will be interesting.”