Wenger: We live in a jungle, everybody wants to eat you

Joe Williams

Arsene Wenger has compared Arsenal’s pursuit of silverware to living in a jungle where “everybody wants to eat you”.

Wenger spoke last week of the “virus” of negativity among fans following last season’s home defeat by Swansea – a result he believes sealed the demise of the Gunners’ title challenge.

When asked if the virus had passed with Saturday’s 3-2 victory over the same opponents, the Frenchman replied that success only comes with embracing the demands of maintaining a title push.

“Nothing is gone. In our game you have to accept that. I believe that humility is to understand that you start again from zero and that you are in a jungle,” he said.

“We live in a jungle where everybody wants to eat you and you have to survive by keeping your vigilance.

“That’s what competition is about. Every day you have to fight again to survive. The love to win and the competitiveness of the Premier League is very exciting.”

Wenger insists talks to extend the contract of Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez, which expire in 2018, are ongoing and denies their futures are tied to his own.

“We are always in touch,” said Wenger, whose own deal runs out at the end of the season.

“Mesut Ozil is 28-years-old and in the prime of his career so of course we want him to contribute to the success of this club in the future.

“They are happy at the club and I want them to commit to the club because they believe they are in the right place.”

Olivier Giroud could return from his toe injury in Tuesday’s EFL Cup match against Reading, while Aaron Ramsey’s comeback from a hamstring problem has been pencilled in for Saturday week when Arsenal visit Sunderland.