Arsene Wenger asks Arsenal fans to consider team’s injuries before judging season
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has asked fans to consider the number of injuries his squad has suffered before judging their performance this season.
The Frenchman still believes Arsenal can catch Leicester and win the Premier League, despite being 11 points behind the Foxes with a game in hand.
Star midfielder Mesut Ozil has claimed Arsenal "mucked it up ourselves" after losing against "so-called smaller teams".
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But Wenger wants fans and players alike to focus on their remaining eight games – starting with Saturday's visit of Watford – before casting judgement on the campaign which has been beset by serious injuries to first team players such as Alexis Sanchez, Danny Welbeck, Jack Wilshere and Santi Cazorla.
"We focus on giving our best until the end of the season, then we will judge the season," said Wenger.
"We have had many injuries as well. Let's not judge too much. Our job is to perform until the last day of the season so let's perform.
"The target is to win the games. Let's be pragmatic. It starts tomorrow. [79 points] could be enough but it depends on the results of Leicester. Nobody knows how they will respond in their last games."
Pressure has increased on Wenger in the last month after Arsenal lost ground to Leicester and Tottenham in the league and were dumped out of the FA Cup and Champions League.
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Some fans have called on him to step down at the end of the season, but Wenger has again suggested he intends to see out his contract which expires in May 2017.
"I think the supporters have to get united and be behind the team. My individual case is less important," said Wenger.
"This club has values and one of them is that we respect our contract and work for the club so that shouldn't be a surprise."