Wenger won't throw in the towel

Arsene Wenger admits Arsenal face a "massive challenge" to get back into the top four after losing 2-1 at Tottenham on Sunday.

Last Updated: 04/03/13 at 08:47 Post Comment    Bet with SkyBet  Premier League Top 4 Finish 12/13 Top 4 Finish: Arsenal 4/11

The Gunners left White Hart Lane empty handed and some seven points adrift of Spurs after first-half goals in the space of two minutes from Gareth Bale - his 20th of an outstanding campaign - and Aaron Lennon proved enough to seal a home victory.

Arsenal had started the game well and rallied hard after Per Mertesacker replied with a header in the 51st minute, but ultimately the Gunners failed to find an equaliser.

Spurs moved back above Chelsea and into third place, with Arsenal now five points behind the Blues and in real danger of missing out on Europe's top club competition for the first time in the 16 seasons of Wenger's reign.

The Gunners boss, though, feels there will be some more twists and turns yet over the final 10 matches of the campaign.

"It will be a massive challenge, I said before the game that we could not afford to drop points," Wenger said.

"However, I still think it is possible and we will fight for it, that is for sure."

Wenger was left perplexed at just how his side lost a game which they dominated for long spells, but paid a heavy price for a couple of inexplicable defensive lapses.

"It is frustrating because we put so much effort in and lost the game when we were on top, we were 2-0 down when we should have been 2-0 up," he said.

"After, it gave them confidence to defend well, which is what they did for the rest of the game.

"It is difficult to understand how you lose a game like that. We had a great attitude and came out with no points because we were not efficient where it matters, at the front and in the back.

"Also, without being at any moment dominated, the only times Tottenham were dangerous was on counter-attacks. If you are dominated and they create chance after chance, okay you accept it, but this was a strange game to lose."

Wenger, whose side are next in action against Bayern Munich in the second leg of their last-16 clash, added: "It happened to us many times this season and only in big games.

"It's difficult to say why, there's no common thing, in all the games there is a different problem, but after you make it difficult for yourself.

"I cannot fault the attitude or the effort that the team produced, or the spirit the team has shown, but you give yourself a mountain to climb every time in a game of that magnitude."

The amount of you lot calling for Wenger's head. He's the ONLY one at the club, other than the fans, who seems to give a sh#t. He's hurting, and none of your squad could care less......yet its Wenger you want out?? He's being let down all round.
- totman

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